M37 Mystery Problem

[frank8003]

Here is TM 9-821 from 1943. Looks like it is for M37.
I did see in there someplace about to NOT put solid copper wires on it.
Anyhow there is much help in the TM

 

[Bill Nutting]

History in Motion?

History in Motion magazine is the MVPA publication.

 

[John Mc]

I see in History in Motion that Peter DeBella has contracted a coil manufacturer to make new 24 volt replacement coils available end of October. It will be interesting to give these a test.

I emailed Peter (of Peter Debella Jeep Parts). Here is his response:

Those coils just came in. Have not even had time to update the website. They are $55.00 and available to ship ASAP.

 

[Bill Nutting]

When someone buys one of these coils, please post a review. I would like to see if it solves Copperline's mystery problem (weak spark)...

 

[Bill Nutting]

Hi Copperline,
Is this problem solved? I haven’t seen an update for a while.

 

[Roger Friedrich]

Very interesting post. It sounds like a problem I had with my M37 I got so frustrated with the motor I pulled it. I then bought a running motor which solved my problem. I do plan to build an engine stand that will allow the motor to be started out of the truck
Looking forward to reading more if the problem is figured out

 

[copperline]

I kind of gave up for a bit. Its winter and cold and i wouldnt be driving her around anyway, plus i have a few other car projects I shifted to. Every now and then I will jump in and turn her over to see if she will start and nothing. Ill get back into this in spring. I WILL figure this out!

 

[copperline]

I want to give you all an update on what happened here. I finally figured it out and its so stupid its unreal. However stupid this is, if it happened to me it could happen to anyone.

I had rebuilt the carburetor. When putting the carb back in the truck there are obviously lots of things to reconnect. Fuel lines, vaccum lines, intake brackets etc. One of the things to reconnect is the choke cable.

And here lies the problem. On the Carter carb there are two "stages" on the carb linkage. The first is a really loose play then the spring comes in for the rest. Because I had the entire thing back together i couldn't see the choke butterfly, I thought the first "stage" of the loose movement was just play that didnt do anything. Boy was I wrong. That loose play is actually the choke butterfly. I'm not even sure what the second stage does. Ill have to pull out another carb I have and see what that second stage does.

The long and short, is that I had 100% choke all the time. Even though the choke lever was fully pushed in.

Now after figuring that out she is running better than ever and I have gone back to the electronic ignition.

So there you go. Problem solved.

 

[NY Tom]

I had been following this for curiosity and I am glad that you solved your problem AND reported it here. So many posters never come back with a solution and it leaves us all guessing.

Thank you.

 

[copperline]

Yes that was painful. Took almost 6 months and easily $800 in new parts. Well at least I have lots of brand new parts that I don't have to worry about. Stupid choke cable. Unreal.

 

[Johnbyrdgates]

I want to give you all an update on what happened here. I finally figured it out and its so stupid its unreal. However stupid this is, if it happened to me it could happen to anyone.

I had rebuilt the carburetor. When putting the carb back in the truck there are obviously lots of things to reconnect. Fuel lines, vaccum lines, intake brackets etc. One of the things to reconnect is the choke cable.

And here lies the problem. On the Carter carb there are two "stages" on the carb linkage. The first is a really loose play then the spring comes in for the rest. Because I had the entire thing back together i couldn't see the choke butterfly, I thought the first "stage" of the loose movement was just play that didnt do anything. Boy was I wrong. That loose play is actually the choke butterfly. I'm not even sure what the second stage does. Ill have to pull out another carb I have and see what that second stage does.

The long and short, is that I had 100% choke all the time. Even though the choke lever was fully pushed in.

Now after figuring that out she is running better than ever and I have gone back to the electronic ignition.

So there you go. Problem solved.

Yes that was painful. Took almost 6 months and easily $800 in new parts. Well at least I have lots of brand new parts that I don't have to worry about. Stupid choke cable. Unreal.

Thanks, copper line, for closing the loop on this issue!

 

[M-37Bruce]

That's what you have to do sometimes, step away for a minute.

 

[Bill Nutting]

Thanks for the update. Now I can finally get some sleep!