DeetFreek
Well-known member
- 218
- 350
- 63
- Location
- New Sharon IA
I was given an opportunity to do some long overdue maintenance on this 1954 M38A1 earlier this summer. It'd been languishing in a barn for at least 15+ years where it ran, but did not move when it was parked. Long story short, rebuilt fuel pump and carburetor, clutch, new hoses and belts, master cylinder and soft lines. I temporarily have a spare CJ tank sitting in it for fuel delivery. It has a lot left to do, but I was tasked with getting it running and driving, nothing more.
![20230904_194938.jpg 20230904_194938.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665168-dddaa502cc2e1102deb3c2ff8a47d3e4.jpg)
When I rolled it off the trailer, it didn't run, it was stuck ever so slightly. The owner thankfully had turned it over occasionally over the years. It didn't take much to pop it loose and it turned over with ease. Then there was a fuel issue, original tank had been taken out and replaced with a CJ tank which of course was full of rust and sediment. Swapped it out with my spare and had no fuel past the pump. Rebuild the pump and I'm in business....or so I thought. It fired off and ran on its own, until I decided to make sure it would start once the crossover was hooked up. I failed to check one important thing when dealing with barn stored vehicles, mice. The little guys had made a nice nest in the air cleaner out of seat foam and I ended up sucking a bunch of it clear into the throat of the carb! I guess that gave me reason to clean and address the buildup inside of it.
![20230910_102925.jpg 20230910_102925.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665208-45214d325c69f24c1517bc8d5be7aa1f.jpg)
![20230910_103515.jpg 20230910_103515.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665209-bbc475e878456168af400afcaa170678.jpg)
![20230928_194921.jpg 20230928_194921.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665169-0ee0ba7198269b942e17b7b1daee98c9.jpg)
![20230929_201902.jpg 20230929_201902.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665170-d6a0bf8cb64e21c74f97972f7180df18.jpg)
![20230929_211904.jpg 20230929_211904.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665171-5fb11c38f34b9cb2eac64ae4a6180cfa.jpg)
![20231009_172120.jpg 20231009_172120.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665172-c5f80dfe32f90153457d516c3a86f206.jpg)
![20231009_172716.jpg 20231009_172716.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665173-b8c9577bde2fbfb7be7d69ae657c94f3.jpg)
Now that I got it starting and running on its own, time to get it into the shop for clutch work. It had some heat in it at some point, both the flywheel and pressure plate showed signs of it. The disc had plenty of material, but some of the pads were beginning to crack, replacement time for sure. The pilot bushing had started to eat itself as well. Clutch back in, and I'm ready for a short test run to make sure it's working as it should. With no brakes, it wasn't going far lol. At least the parking brake actually worked! I found out the tires were also in sad shape on that short run too, about got bounced out from the flat spots!
![20231022_101424.jpg 20231022_101424.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665174-ab90dafbcd435f56ce4ed26cfa31f624.jpg)
![20231022_102007.jpg 20231022_102007.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665175-e3ff5a5d4aba3c57bc600b68fe205714.jpg)
![20231027_094132.jpg 20231027_094132.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665176-2531448308d5be85ad57d8e741ed5cd8.jpg)
![20231027_101055.jpg 20231027_101055.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665178-1602c3e59660851c789bb415dce5e474.jpg)
This Jeep was used as a snow plow and the oil filter had been relocated to the passenger fender to accomodate the hydraulic pump, we couldn't have that! Scrouged through the scrap and drug out a chunk of bed frame and a bumperette to make the new bracket.
![20231029_102739.jpg 20231029_102739.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665180-56b31d19d0b2d63d254aee5683071efc.jpg)
![20231029_095007.jpg 20231029_095007.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665181-b79ef882963f4d82810bc34ba603a27b.jpg)
![20231029_110604.jpg 20231029_110604.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665182-11b63defd0c8d28139c6f1778b8df244.jpg)
![20231029_132220.jpg 20231029_132220.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665192-839994e9dc9923030914750651df6cb5.jpg)
![20231029_133629.jpg 20231029_133629.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665183-f263aa9f25c0c3479ea9d874addc71a6.jpg)
Brake time! Pulled the drums and was pleasantly surprised to see that the brakes must have been done shortly before it was put away. Shoes and wheel cylinders looked very fresh for sitting so long. Unfortunately the master cylinder was empty of brake fluid but had a nice buildup of rusty sludge inside. New flex hoses and one new line on the rear due to being rotten and brakes are good to go. I'm watching the line from the master cylinder to the front tee because it may need replaced yet.
![20231031_183614.jpg 20231031_183614.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665184-352753e7f9a3a4332c5c2f9ea161b49f.jpg)
![20231101_165526.jpg 20231101_165526.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665185-54b4ccc4859e9cda103b8d6214547681.jpg)
I have one more area to address now, the exhaust. I'm only doing a quick fix because it really needs a new down pipe and mid pipe. A slip pipe to connect the two and a couple clamps will do the trick.
It's been quite the experience, full of hair pulling and giant smiles. I'd love to say this one will get brought back to it's past livery, but unfortunately it's not in the owners plans to do so. I know I don't have any say lol, so I just take pride in being able to bring it back to life. And seeing the history of this one makes it all the more cool. A Civil Defense paint job and logo to go along with the original body tag and matching data plate just add to the list.
![20231104_150910.jpg 20231104_150910.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665186-bedc71fa6589eb766cbe48394c48c992.jpg)
![20230906_202819.jpg 20230906_202819.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665187-149f72ef8c4543b3aca4fc5244648084.jpg)
![20231028_095814.jpg 20231028_095814.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665188-cf8c4058a950a378b5bf32620a86de12.jpg)
![20231028_095838.jpg 20231028_095838.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665189-cdedf89b72b9e49054bcc9ffa32ed2bd.jpg)
![20231104_162036.jpg 20231104_162036.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665190-607b16820d96f39b2361bfe67e47d563.jpg)
I had to get a picture of them all today. My 52 C and 53 with the 54.
![20230904_194938.jpg 20230904_194938.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665168-dddaa502cc2e1102deb3c2ff8a47d3e4.jpg)
When I rolled it off the trailer, it didn't run, it was stuck ever so slightly. The owner thankfully had turned it over occasionally over the years. It didn't take much to pop it loose and it turned over with ease. Then there was a fuel issue, original tank had been taken out and replaced with a CJ tank which of course was full of rust and sediment. Swapped it out with my spare and had no fuel past the pump. Rebuild the pump and I'm in business....or so I thought. It fired off and ran on its own, until I decided to make sure it would start once the crossover was hooked up. I failed to check one important thing when dealing with barn stored vehicles, mice. The little guys had made a nice nest in the air cleaner out of seat foam and I ended up sucking a bunch of it clear into the throat of the carb! I guess that gave me reason to clean and address the buildup inside of it.
![20230910_102925.jpg 20230910_102925.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665208-45214d325c69f24c1517bc8d5be7aa1f.jpg)
![20230910_103515.jpg 20230910_103515.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665209-bbc475e878456168af400afcaa170678.jpg)
![20230928_194921.jpg 20230928_194921.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665169-0ee0ba7198269b942e17b7b1daee98c9.jpg)
![20230929_201902.jpg 20230929_201902.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665170-d6a0bf8cb64e21c74f97972f7180df18.jpg)
![20230929_211904.jpg 20230929_211904.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665171-5fb11c38f34b9cb2eac64ae4a6180cfa.jpg)
![20231009_172120.jpg 20231009_172120.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665172-c5f80dfe32f90153457d516c3a86f206.jpg)
![20231009_172716.jpg 20231009_172716.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665173-b8c9577bde2fbfb7be7d69ae657c94f3.jpg)
Now that I got it starting and running on its own, time to get it into the shop for clutch work. It had some heat in it at some point, both the flywheel and pressure plate showed signs of it. The disc had plenty of material, but some of the pads were beginning to crack, replacement time for sure. The pilot bushing had started to eat itself as well. Clutch back in, and I'm ready for a short test run to make sure it's working as it should. With no brakes, it wasn't going far lol. At least the parking brake actually worked! I found out the tires were also in sad shape on that short run too, about got bounced out from the flat spots!
![20231022_101424.jpg 20231022_101424.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665174-ab90dafbcd435f56ce4ed26cfa31f624.jpg)
![20231022_102007.jpg 20231022_102007.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665175-e3ff5a5d4aba3c57bc600b68fe205714.jpg)
![20231027_094132.jpg 20231027_094132.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665176-2531448308d5be85ad57d8e741ed5cd8.jpg)
![20231027_101055.jpg 20231027_101055.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665178-1602c3e59660851c789bb415dce5e474.jpg)
This Jeep was used as a snow plow and the oil filter had been relocated to the passenger fender to accomodate the hydraulic pump, we couldn't have that! Scrouged through the scrap and drug out a chunk of bed frame and a bumperette to make the new bracket.
![20231029_102739.jpg 20231029_102739.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665180-56b31d19d0b2d63d254aee5683071efc.jpg)
![20231029_095007.jpg 20231029_095007.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665181-b79ef882963f4d82810bc34ba603a27b.jpg)
![20231029_110604.jpg 20231029_110604.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665182-11b63defd0c8d28139c6f1778b8df244.jpg)
![20231029_132220.jpg 20231029_132220.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665192-839994e9dc9923030914750651df6cb5.jpg)
![20231029_133629.jpg 20231029_133629.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665183-f263aa9f25c0c3479ea9d874addc71a6.jpg)
Brake time! Pulled the drums and was pleasantly surprised to see that the brakes must have been done shortly before it was put away. Shoes and wheel cylinders looked very fresh for sitting so long. Unfortunately the master cylinder was empty of brake fluid but had a nice buildup of rusty sludge inside. New flex hoses and one new line on the rear due to being rotten and brakes are good to go. I'm watching the line from the master cylinder to the front tee because it may need replaced yet.
![20231031_183614.jpg 20231031_183614.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665184-352753e7f9a3a4332c5c2f9ea161b49f.jpg)
![20231101_165526.jpg 20231101_165526.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665185-54b4ccc4859e9cda103b8d6214547681.jpg)
I have one more area to address now, the exhaust. I'm only doing a quick fix because it really needs a new down pipe and mid pipe. A slip pipe to connect the two and a couple clamps will do the trick.
It's been quite the experience, full of hair pulling and giant smiles. I'd love to say this one will get brought back to it's past livery, but unfortunately it's not in the owners plans to do so. I know I don't have any say lol, so I just take pride in being able to bring it back to life. And seeing the history of this one makes it all the more cool. A Civil Defense paint job and logo to go along with the original body tag and matching data plate just add to the list.
![20231104_150910.jpg 20231104_150910.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665186-bedc71fa6589eb766cbe48394c48c992.jpg)
![20230906_202819.jpg 20230906_202819.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665187-149f72ef8c4543b3aca4fc5244648084.jpg)
![20231028_095814.jpg 20231028_095814.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665188-cf8c4058a950a378b5bf32620a86de12.jpg)
![20231028_095838.jpg 20231028_095838.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665189-cdedf89b72b9e49054bcc9ffa32ed2bd.jpg)
![20231104_162036.jpg 20231104_162036.jpg](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/data/attachments/665/665190-607b16820d96f39b2361bfe67e47d563.jpg)
I had to get a picture of them all today. My 52 C and 53 with the 54.
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