Working on the M38 next.

[TGP (IL)]

Looking Great!
Nice job as always!

Tom

 

[hndrsonj]

Back at it after the summer. Wheels painted new Firestone NDCC's from Summit sitting in the garage.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

What other size tires does Summit carry? I’m looking to replace the fire truck’s tires with NDT/NDCC or other period correct tires. The size I’ll need will be 7.50x20. Looking good on those rims!

 

[hndrsonj]

And we have mounted tires/wheels.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

I can’t recall, where did you get the tires? Never mind, I found the entry...

 

[hndrsonj]

So I have 73 drilled holes to fill from the hard top, heater, radio's, and fire department. This is going to take awhile.....

 

[jeffhuey1n]

what are you using to fill the holes?

So I have 73 drilled holes to fill from the hard top, heater, radio's, and fire department. This is going to take awhile.....
View attachment 781535View attachment 781536View attachment 781537

 

[hndrsonj]

what are you using to fill the holes?

MIG welder

 

[Captaincarrier]

MIG welder

May I ask what size MIG welder you use or would prefer? That's my next addition to my "arsenal" and for the very same reason....

 

[CMPPhil]

Hi

Are you backing the holes up with anything while you weld them up?

I like brass or copper, clamped tight to other side of the hole, while welding them in, saves on grinding time to finish.

Looks like a fun project.

Cheers Phil

PS I'm using HTP 120 Mig

 

[hndrsonj]

May I ask what size MIG welder you use or would prefer? That's my next addition to my "arsenal" and for the very same reason....

I have the Miller (think it's a 140). It is great on sheet metal. If I was going to do it again, i'd get a 220V one in case you wanted to weld thicker metal. I use a copper spoon I bought at Harbor Freight. I also went online and bought a 3/8 x 1/2 x 12 inch copper rectangle bar that I bent that fits behind odd shapes. It works great. You can see them both in the first picture in post #46.

 

[hndrsonj]

So what is wrong with this picture? Had to order the correct lower housing for the rebuild (not here yet).

 

[mdainsd]

Not sure what you are asking? You have two distributor bases there. One (new) is an early base that doesn't use a condoner on the 24V input connector, The old one is a later one. what are the numbers on the bases? Almost looks like the new one is a Dodge base.

 

[hndrsonj]

They are both M38 distributor cases. The new one I had is an early style. I had to order the correct one from Midwest (not here yet). I had no idea there were different styles until I dug it out of storage and started rebuilding the distributor.

 

[hndrsonj]

Some new arrivals. (and cosmoline sucks)

 

[jeffhuey1n]

I don’t think there’s an approved cosmoline removal agent. Gasoline works pretty good, but it causes cancer. MEK works better but it causes cancer. Tric works okay but, yep, it causes cancer. If you go waaay back, the old school method was boiling water. It doesn’t cause cancer unless it’s city water.

 

[hndrsonj]

i'm going dishwasher. stand by for wifes response....

 

[hndrsonj]

Finally finished the distributor rebuild (just need to trim the roll pin in the shaft). Parts fought me a lot! Pretty much everything bought from ebay wasn't right: housing, condenser, and points-all wrong. Oh, about the Cosmooline-I cleaned it in the parts washer as best I could, then I put it in a large pot and heated it up. The Cosmoline just floats to the surface.

 

[maccus]

Did I read some where early in this thread that you were not going to go "Crazy" with this restoration? Hummm Does that mean this time unlike the M37 project you will not replace every bolt with a new grade eight, fine thread like you did with the M37? Must be a family related affliction .

Nice resto however like allways.

 

[hndrsonj]

Well actually every mistake I did with the M37 is fixed with the 38.... it will be an amazing rig.