[rob love]

I recently brought home a 1956 M135 deuce, and drug another home for parts. The engine on the good deuce had been left with the valve cover off for the last 25 years or so, and had stuck valves even back in 1987. I pulled the head, cleaned everything up, did a quick valve job because of the pitted seats from the little bit of moisture that did occur. I just got it back together today, and after figuring out that I was 180° out on the distributor, she purred to life. Still lots to do, but it is starting to look promising. I hope to drive it out of the shop tomorrow.

I bought this to serve as the prime mover for my C1 howitzer project. I intend to re-do the semi gloss paint and markings to approximately the pre-1970s era.

In the future, I hope to add the winch kit, the heater kit, and maybe even a hiab crane. I also need to find a source for 12' long planks of oak to rebuild the troop seats and racks. I picked up one of the dual drive PTOs the other day, which provides power to the front and to the back of the truck.

Anyway, here is a photo or two of the new girl: