M38Cdn Refurbishment

[Peter Phillips]

Got it down to the frame now. Surprisingly I only broke 3 bolts getting this apart, 2 small body bolts behind the rear wheels and one body bolt under the drivers floor board going into the hat channel. Everything else came apart nicely! There was one part of the frame that was pinched from a previous recovery so I borrowed a Enerpac from work and spread the C-channel apart again. None of the springs are broken so they'll go for a re-arch and new clamps and such. Instead a sand blasting the frame, I'm taking it to a shop to have it ultrasonic cleaned for a couple of hundred bucks which I think is cheaper and less invasive as blasting. They have a 12' x 5' tub that will accommodate the frame nicely. The motor will be taken down to the builder in Edmonton on the 30th as well as the springs which will go to a spring shop

[Peter Phillips]

Time for an update. The motor is at the shop for a rebuild, the frame is back from ultrasonic cleaning and the rad and springs are back from servicing. I've pretty much gathered most of what I need to start piecing the frame back together once painting is complete. Surprisingly the front pinion seal was leather and probably original. There's a picture of the frame before and after ultrasonic cleaning which I think did a pretty good job for $150.00 cash and a box of donuts :-). I'll have to do a bit of buffing on the frame before paint and a final degrease as they hit the whole frame with WD-40 after it was cleaned to stop flash rusting

[Rob Crombie]

Well, you work fast!


I haven’t heard of ultrasonic cleaning an entire frame before. That really did clean up nicely, although I suppose you still have to deal with any rust. I guess if it’s a good way to clean diamond jewelry, it should be fine for a Jeep!
Is this the first time that this has been down to the frame? It looked pretty good at the beginning, so I bet it’s going to be really nice when you’re done.
Out of curiosity, do you know what the issue was with the engine?

Cheers,
Rob

[maple_leaf_eh]

Hmmm? If Doctor Evil had used one of those things on Bond instead of lasers, focused sunrays, sharks, sawmills, or other doomed-to-failure execution methods, maybe the franchise would have only been one movie long?

[rob love]

What PTO is that on your transfer case? There seem to be a lot of grooves on the pulley. I have seen reference to PTO driven welders in the back of the M38s....was that the original purpose of this PTO?

[Peter Phillips]

Originally Posted by rob love

What PTO is that on your transfer case? There seem to be a lot of grooves on the pulley. I have seen reference to PTO driven welders in the back of the M38s....was that the original purpose of this PTO?

Hi Rob, this drives my winch and I believe it's a Ramsey unit. I can get specifics like casting numbers when I get home if needed.

Pete

[rob love]

I was just curious. I believe DND had some M38s equipped with the welders. I have a proper Ramsey PTO for the military winch, and have owned several others over the years, but I have not seen that PTO before. Did it come with your Jeep? Do you have the original Ramsey 50 winch on yours?

[Peter Phillips]

Originally Posted by Rob Crombie

Well, you work fast!


I haven’t heard of ultrasonic cleaning an entire frame before. That really did clean up nicely, although I suppose you still have to deal with any rust. I guess if it’s a good way to clean diamond jewelry, it should be fine for a Jeep!
Is this the first time that this has been down to the frame? It looked pretty good at the beginning, so I bet it’s going to be really nice when you’re done.
Out of curiosity, do you know what the issue was with the engine?

Cheers,
Rob

Yes I'll have to buff the rust away in places but the ultrasonic cleaning took off all but minimal traces of paint and all oil and grease is gone even inside the boxed part of the frame. I think this is the first time the tubs been off based on the condition of the body rubbers and fasteners. Realistically, the jeep is in great condition but needed some minor work aside from the motor to make sure it's good for another 50+ years. The engine is currently with Al Rice (who does work for Reg Hodgson) out of Fort Saskatchewan waiting for tear down. I have videos of it running and it's early diagnosis is piston slap on #1 cylinder. It ran great with no smoke so hopefully it will be an easy build. If anyone wants to hear the noise, text Pete at 1-780-815-3871 and I'll share the videos.

FYI, for anyone interested in this cleaning process, our area is heavy in oil & gas with lots of shell and tube heat exchangers in use with small diameter tubes that are hard to clean, 100's of them in some cases. This is their "small" tank 12'x5' and is always hot and on standby....that's why it was so cheap. The frame was cooked for 24 hours. I think a quick search around your area will find a similar unit that may be available to use......might not be cheap though? I'm thinking of dipping my whole M-100 trailer in it too when it comes time for a refurbishment on it. And the best part it's aluminum and rubber safe.