1942 White M2A1 engine and gearbox colors.

[clinto]

I'm doing a restoration on a '42 White M2A1 halftrack and I need some help with colors.

The engine is at the machine shop and I'm building the gearboxes now. I think the engine is supposed to be grey (it was the same olive drab as the vehicle when I received it) but I'm not sure about the various accessories like the fuel pump. In my experience with 50s and 60s cars, some accessories were painted, some were not. For instance, small block Chryslers have a bypass hose going to the intake from the water pump and it's painted engine color. Stuff like that.

I'm also not sure about the gearboxes. Their colors and how much of the hardware was installed before and after paint.

Are any of you guys have any WWII color photographs?

Here's what I found on the web. An NOS White engine, but I think it was an old rebuild, so there's no guarantee it's "correct". The way some 3116s in M44A3s are tan and some are green.



The guys restoring this particular truck think the correct color is grey with white White logos


They also did the gearboxes in solid grey


My project:

 

[AZDeuce]

Clinto, It's so hard to tell from black and white photos, but there is/was a photo of new engine just installed in the frame at the White factory in one of my halftrack books, the engine was really dark, I just assumed it was that really dark "kind of" Navy grey that you see on old equipment like lathes and mills from back in the 40s. But I couldn't prove it, so I went with Ford Tractor grey, as that was what everyone else was doing....still don't think it's correct though!-Tom

 

[frank8003]

deleted

 

[WillWagner]

The Museum has 2 M20's and 3 half tracks. Both of the M20's have not been touched and the engines are grey. Two of the half tracks have grey engines, I am unsure of the 3rd one, it is a French return, but IIRC, the engine is green. The M8 and scout car are gray. Never seen a clean gear box so I couldn't comment on that.

 

[bigmike]

Go to: White halftrack enthusiasts on facebook. Tons of pics of restorations and a great source of information.

 

[SETOYOTA]

Mine is gray

 

[clinto]

So, I took my time strippping the gearboxes myself and found green in enough spots that I think it's correct. This has been a really challenging project, as there's nowhere near as much info on correctness issues as there is for Jeeps.

Only colors I found were green on the cases and red on one of the plugs.

Hope ya'll enjoy

 

[clinto]

 

[clinto]

 

[clinto]

 

[clinto]

Finished product details

 

[jasonjc]

Really nice job on the paint and stuff there Clinto, but those safety's you were never an aviation mechanic I see

 

[glcaines]

Looking really good!

 

[frank8003]

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golly that is gorgeous

 

[WillWagner]

Clint, I saw some of the gaskets were shrunk up. A tip for those NOS hard, shrunk gaskets is to soak them in really hot tap water or boiled water. It will make them grow to their proper size and be pliable again. They will also seal better because the material compresses again. Looks good!

 

[M35fan]

That is an amazing level of detail. You do excellent work, sir. Thank you for sharing.

 

[clinto]

Thanks for all the kind comments. I am finishing up the engine now.

Hopefully soon it'll run soon.

Really nice job on the paint and stuff there Clinto, but those safety's you were never an aviation mechanic I see

Man, burn.

That's some of my first safety wire work. I am getting better



The factory safety wire work wasn't much better

 

[jasonjc]

Thanks for all the kind comments. I am finishing up the engine now.

Hopefully soon it'll run soon.

View attachment 820264



Man, burn.

That's some of my first safety wire work. I am getting better

View attachment 820265

The factory safety wire work wasn't much better

View attachment 820266

Yes, that is much better . I had a TI that would take a 6 inch steel ruler and count the twists per inch and you had better be right. ROFL

 

[clinto]

Yes, that is much better . I had a TI that would take a 6 inch steel ruler and count the twists per inch and you had better be right. ROFL

I had to get someone to help me get started, 40 year USA/GAARNG A&P for Huey, Blackhawk and Chinook models. He explained the twists per inch and everything. Showed me a lot of tricks.

 

[clinto]

Engine





First primer going on. Southern Polyurethane's excellent epoxy.








First coat. PPG's Omni (house brand) line of urethane. Has one part flattening agent.




I'm operating at the limit of my old Snap-on engine stand. Flipping this over isn't fun.