M274 or M274a1

M274 Mechanical Mule Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base
Chuck W.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5820
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 11:00 am
Location:

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by Chuck W. » Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:12 am

There is also a difference in the bell housing where the starter mounts.
4-cylinder:
Image
2-cylinder:
Image


fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:27 am

It is 4 wheel steer. You are right that it has parts added like the engine guard, foot basket, updated brake drum, engine, and deck. The deck and rails would look new with a nice paint job. It was bought from a surplus yard so they probably changed out parts for new or like new where needed. The original engine was a Willys engine, that the original owner thought was a a1 engine, and when he found another NOS Willys engine, he could make an easier swap. I'm the 3rd owner. The original owner sold it to a friend, so the history is known since about 1975. The surplus yard owner in Utah is a friend of the original owner also, but memories tend to fade when this amount of time passes. I could learn more about it's past in the next month or so. I'm not going to find out the serial, or Reg.# unfortunately.
If the original engine was a M274a1, the transmission would have the 2 plugs? I would expect the transmission to be original to the 1st a1 engine, that engine was not a new replacement.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a sunny dry cold day. Coldest temps of the season they say are coming. I'll get pictures then.

This is not our 1st mule, our other mule is an a2. It has it's original deck with lots of holes and shows considerable use, and has the original paint, tag, and numbers, but I think the 2cyl engine is newer. It has just a few hours on the meter. It runs and starts nice. My son and I don't know much about Mules, we just know we like the one we have. With this 2nd one, we will be able to drive them together.
Thanks, I really appreciate your help!

Chuck W.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5820
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 11:00 am
Location:

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by Chuck W. » Mon Feb 21, 2022 8:42 am

updated brake drum,
Bare in mind it's more than the brake drum, it's the whole brake system including the linkage.

fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Mon Feb 21, 2022 10:12 am

Would this brake system be on the a1? I was hoping to have the better brake system, considering more stopping power is a good thing. I was originally thinking this mule would be better to be an a1, just because of having the better brakes, but I don't know how much of an improvement, if any that is. I believed an update would be for the better. I would not want to modify the deck to be an a1, or the engine. That is why I want the outward appearance to look like an M274. I'm not looking for a show vehicle, but a mule that is for fun, and see a parade once in awhile. I'm happy it has the Willys engine in it, but I haven't worked on it yet. I don't want a roll bar, or a bucket seat out of a Chevy on it. It should look like a mule, and the closer to an M274 the better. That is why I will look for the correct engine guard, and basket for a M274, but it is not critical need.
Thanks

fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:24 pm

I rolled back the tarp and took pictures. I also made a list of parts I can see are missing. I said the engine was NOS but actually it is a rebuilt engine from 1966. Appreciate your thoughts and expertise.
DSCN9873.JPG
DSCN9874.JPG
DSCN9875.JPG
DSCN9876.JPG
DSCN9877.JPG
DSCN9878.JPG
DSCN9879.JPG
DSCN9880.JPG
DSCN9881.JPG

bms07
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 184
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:29 pm
Location: Brodhead, Wisconsin

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by bms07 » Tue Feb 22, 2022 6:01 pm

Well its definitely a m274 motor. But its not a m274 chassis. It's a M274A1 chassis. Has a A2/A5 engine guard.
Looking for halftrack to restore
Looking for mule to restore
M274A5 with 106 mm recoilless rifle
M274
LOOKING FOR 4 CYLINDER MULES AND PARTS

fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Tue Feb 22, 2022 7:17 pm

From what I have learned here, and what the original owner told me, I thought it would be an a1. Besides the brakes are the M274 and M274a1 chassis the same?
I forgot to take a picture of the seat holes on the deck. I could get that tomorrow, but I think it has been determined it is a M274 deck.
Thanks

Chuck W.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5820
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 11:00 am
Location:

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by Chuck W. » Tue Feb 22, 2022 7:52 pm

Besides the brakes are the M274 and M274a1 chassis the same
No, there are a lot of small differences if you know where to look. I agree, this is definitely an M274A1 chassis. Engine is first generation 4-cylinder from an M274. If the deck only has one set of seat holes, then it would be from an M274. Late engine guard and foot basket. This machine has been pieced together from a lot of parts.

fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Tue Feb 22, 2022 11:17 pm

When you say "bodged together", and "pieced together from a lot of parts" it sounds derogatory, but I'm not upset with those remarks, and don't feel that way. I would like to find a M274 foot basket, and a M274 engine guard, or a M274a1 foot basket, and a M274a1 engine guard. Those 2 parts would make it look much closer to what it should look like. No doubt hard to find, but I'm not such a purist that I would remove those late parts, and park the Mule until they are found. Even with those 2 parts it will only look closer to the early model, but I would be very satisfied with that result. I don't live in a perfect world, and know not to try to. The military would install the best part they could find that fit, if something got damaged, or broke, I'm that way too. I just want my mule to look the best it can, and have fun with it. It will probably always be a work in progress.
Anybody reading this and has these parts to sell, or knows where I might find them, please let me know. I appreciate everyones help, and advice!
Thanks

User avatar
major519
G-Major
G-Major
Posts: 837
Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2005 5:38 pm
Location:

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by major519 » Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:26 am

Greetings

You asked, what do I have here, and the community has responded based on observations and questions.
In a nutshell, Mules are basically all the same with minor differences and upgrades made between models.
As many parts are exchangeable, it is without question that many mules out there feature items that aren’t exactly to “factory spec” for a particular year or model.
Best
1968 M274A5 USMC 325489
1966 M274A2 USMC 333007
1958 M274 US ARMY 2B3379
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715
1981 M101CDN Manac 3/4 trailer
1984 M1009 CUCV
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer

Chuck W.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5820
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 11:00 am
Location:

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by Chuck W. » Wed Feb 23, 2022 9:04 am

Did not mean to be disrespectful. It is what it is, Good luck with your project.

fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Wed Feb 23, 2022 9:12 am

Thanks, I realized I could be wrong. Often the printed word doesn't encapsulate the spirit of what is really meant.

fussboys
G-Master Sergeant
G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 117
Joined: Wed Jul 09, 2003 10:47 pm
Location: Tualatin, OR

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by fussboys » Wed Feb 23, 2022 9:33 am

Major519,
I know what you're saying. The other a2 I have does have an original USMC deck on it, but to say it has always been on there is not possible to know. Same goes for the engine guard, and foot basket. I do know the engine is newer. The M274/M274a1 hybrid doesn't have the Reg. # or serial like the a2 does. That info is what I was originally after, and since it can't be recovered, something close is the best that can be done. Which is fine in the real world. I just need to be careful I put unique numbers on this M274, and not something on another machine.
Thanks

Chuck W.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5820
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 11:00 am
Location:

Re: M274 or M274a1

Post by Chuck W. » Wed Feb 23, 2022 9:45 am

M274
Serial number would be "M274-11XXX"
Registration number "2B42XX"

M274A1
Serial Number would be "127XX"
Registration number "2E83XX"

John Emery has perfect reproduction data plates for either model.


Post Reply

Return to “Mule M274”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 17 guests