My first MV, an M43.

[Tinwoodsman]

Make sure you get the right head gasket for that particular block. There are several types and if you do not get the right one it will leak coolant like crazy.

 

[dbcolts]

60Buick
You did the right thing by pulling off the head. When we decide to get an engine running......after it set for 40 years.....we run a compression test. If they are mostly zeros....we pull the head. And most of the time its the "gundge" that is holding the valves open. We us a special elixir that is made up of 50/50 acetone/ATF. Works great. And we hook up a 12 volt batter to the starter.....as it turn the engine over faster.....and it won't hurt the starter. PS---don't turn on any lights, etc.
PPS---One time I pulled a head and found that most of a piston had broken off, and had ended up getting discharged out the exhaust valve....a few were in the crankcase.
David

 

[60Buick]

I got all the valves freed up. I wish I had known about your 50/50 elixir yesterday. I used carb cleaner and PB blaster. It worked but was slow going. I swapped the oil lines to the filter, got it fired up and the engine runs good. I took it down the street and made it about 300 yards where I promptly ran out of gas. Sending my other half to the gas station fixed the issue but created another. She was not a happy woman for the rest of the night.

The brakes feel like they are dragging. I need to see what's going on there. Other wise it's time to get the lights going.

 

[dbcolts]

LOL! I understand the situation with your wife.........been-there, done-that. Flowers usually fix most faux-paus like that.
Re: draaaagging brakes....You probably have a stuck wheel cylinder. If they've sat for over a year.....humidity builds up in the cylinders, and the alloy pistons corrode and "stick".
Keep Wrenching
David

 

[60Buick]

I'm leaning more towards I have the adjustment off on the parking brake or a shoe. All the wheel cylinders were just rebuilt. I'm just glad it is mobile!

 

[60Buick]

Success! Made it out on the open road and home with no issues! Just went to the gas station and back, but hey it runs. Starting it took a bit. It starts and that took a little doing. It ran on Just a few cylinders for a few minutes before the others picked up and it ran on all 6 . It was very hard to start. Where should I start? Could the valves be hanging again, carb, fuel pump, ignition system? The plugs are new the rest are old. ideas? Also way down on power. I don't know what it should do but I have to down shift to third on mild hills. Is that normal? My only basis of comparison that is in the same realm is a 50 Ford with a flathead V8, but it fells much more ballsy power wise. Any thing I should start looking at to see if it's in need of adjustment or replacement? Thanks!

 

[Gunnermac]

We are in the process of restoring one now, when I got it the old 6 cylinder had a broken rod, pulled it out and installed a small block 350. I know, the purists will get their panties in a wad, but if you are going to drive it, it makes an enormous difference. If there are no serious problems, I should have it at the Ga Rally. The one I have is painted a med to dark blue inside. Air Force Truck??, also I believe the seat is the same, will make sure in the morning. Don't know anything about my trucks past. I bought it from a scrapper. If you are going to be in the Athens area, let me know and we can compare notes.

Mac

 

[billyzz]

Cool
I got mine in december and am learning as i go.
Pretty neat huh?

 

[dbcolts]

I bet mine is uglier than all of your's! LOL!! Usually if the truck will start at all......and it appears to not running on all cylinders. Its because some of the valves are sticking "open". We buy and sell about 25 non-running trucks a year......that we get running. And 9 out of 10 have stuck valves, as the main problem.
David

 

[billyzz]

I bet mine is uglier than all of your's! LOL!! Usually if the truck will start at all......and it appears to not running on all cylinders. Its because some of the valves are sticking "open". We buy and sell about 25 non-running trucks a year......that we get running. And 9 out of 10 have stuck valves, as the main problem.
DavidView attachment 636844

Yers is uglier
But you got that groovy orange light!
Is that drywall mud smeared all over it?

 

[trucknut]

Good looking truck. I would look into new valve guides and springs. These motors where designed to run on leaded gas.

 

[70deuce]

Persistence will prove that truck is a diamond in the rough.

 

[wadefreedomvehicles]

Man this is cool, I own a 1962 M43B1. I love it and it is definitely one of my favorites. The whole time I read this thread I think about all the stuff I could get accomplished if I just had one project. When we restored ours, we did a motor pool restoration. Our disassembly consisted of taking the lights and bumper off. Maybe a few other parts, cant really remember. Ours had quite a bit of rust, took a year to get most of the rust cut out and panels replaced. We didn't do anything to the interior of ours, it is exactly how we found it other than a few holes cut into it to access some rust issues. Our interior lights and fans do not work yet, but it looks really good. Let me know if you have any questions, but for now I am going to sit back and follow your restoration thread. Honestly, if I had more money time and space, I would buy another m43 or similar truck. I love Military ambulances.


First is at a show, and the night we finished, and then before pic.

 

[60Buick]

Some progress. Step 1 was getting it running and to my shop. Then the aggravation, I mean the fun begins. I saved every piece possible that is original to the truck including all the bumpers. I Was able to get 4 stretchers a medical blanket and some IV poles off Ebay. I cut out all the rust and welded in the appropriate sheet metal. I didn't strip it to the metal, I just sanded and smoothed all the chips. I am not after aperfect show vehicle. There was filler in the front fenders and rear doors that I removed. I wanted the dents, each one tells a story. The roof was a mouse nest for years. I pulled at least 2 trash cans of mouse bodies, poop and seeds from over the drivers compartment. It was nasty. The body was not to bad other than under the rear doors and the roof. They were rotten.

 

[60Buick]

My better half helped me scuff the Primer and shoot the Gillespie OD green. We also got 3 of the 5 tires mounted yesterday. All my markings are in as well from Military Stencils. They look excellent. I don't think the truck looks to bad for a few months work.

 

[Another Ahab]

My better half helped me scuff the Primer and shoot the Gillespie OD green. We also got 3 of the 5 tires mounted yesterday. All my markings are in as well from Military Stencils. They look excellent. I don't think the truck looks to bad for a few months work.

The truck looks real fine from here. That's nice work.

 

[wadefreedomvehicles]

Wow, really remarkable. Looking great.

 

[dbcolts]

Keep up the good work

keep up the good work..........you've got some body-work time in, on it.
This one needs some help.......

 

[60Buick]

That one doesn't look too bad. It looks pretty solid and straight. Was it used as a rescue truck or something. The light and racks are interesting.

 

[60Buick]

I finished the home made rear step. I would still love to find an original but it works for now.