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just got my first jeep, m38

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by F150Boss86, May 28, 2008.

  1. May 28, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2008
    Messages:
    36
    was told its between a 51-53 M38, flat head 4cyl. I bought it from my grandpa for nursing home reasons. Ive worked on the starter and brakes before, but I dont know a whole lot else. What do i need to check fluid wise? oil leaks but i keep topping it off, diff fluid was filled but i think it leak out. What else? to be honest I dont know what I should check/fill/and what to fill them with. Also where exactly is the drain and fill plugs for the transfer case? So any help would be awesome. Just put a new exhaust on today so it sounds better already. thanks and ill put up pics tomorrow
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2008
  2. May 29, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    welcome...you've found the right place, and I'm looking forward to the pics :)
    Jim S.
     
  3. May 29, 2008
    Brian P

    Brian P Member

    Clarkdale Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
    Messages:
    650
    Congrats and welcome, Untill you get ahead enough to invest in a service manual go back to the site home page and scroll down untill you find a 1960 owners manual in PDF form, Its not exactly year model perfect but the vast majority of lubrication points are the same or so close you will be able to find them if you know the general vicinity.

    Specified lubricants in the 1960 owners manual will will be compatible with your rig.

    Hope this helps you get started checking everything.
     
  4. May 29, 2008
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    588
    Some pics would be great. Is it still 24 volt? Do you have the data plates on the dash? The one with the serial number should give you the date of delivary for the jeep month and year.
     
  5. May 29, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    419
    Congratulations and welcome to the club!
     
  6. May 29, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

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    May 28, 2008
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    thanks for the owners manual link, helped quite a bit. im still confused on where the transfer case fill is located. I believe i found the tranny fill, so where would I go from there? So far ive put a new exhaust on, headlights, and aftermarket air filter. Runs pretty smooth now. Im trying to upload the pics but it keeps saying failed under the management attachments, any other way to upload? thanks for the welcome! looking forward to learning about this classic
     
  7. May 29, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

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    resized, here ya go, let me know what you think!
     
  8. May 29, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

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    few more...
     
  9. May 29, 2008
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    May 30, 2006
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    The transfer case fill plug is the same as the drain plug just like the tranny from what i recall. I forget if its on the side or the back but it should be about half way up like the tranny plug.
     
  10. May 29, 2008
    Brian P

    Brian P Member

    Clarkdale Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
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    650
    I like it, The Flat Fenders will always be cool. Looks like you found a good rig in one piece to start on :beer:
     
  11. May 29, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

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    May 28, 2008
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    thanks, oh and it is a 12v set up, the only thing I question is the generator...my grandpa believe its a 12v but hes not sure. rebuilding jeeps was my grandpas hobby. he has a total of 4 other rolling bodies, and enough parts he says to build 8 complete jeeps. So all of the grandchildren including myself bought one. The one I have was built in the early 60s from a couple different jeep parts, 2 different frames bolted together. He actually worked on it for 3 years in his basement, completed it, then tore it back down and rebuilt it outside. So it has a lot of sentimental value
     
  12. May 30, 2008
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    588
    Looks to be a 51 m38 but a few things I noticed, you dont have a gas tank under you drivers seat, and the area has been filled in. It looks like you hinges for the grill are missing, maybe not an m38 frame??? Behind the passenger seat do you have a data plate? It will give you your serial number, only other place on an m38 to find it if the dash plate is missing. The voltage regulator should be mounted down on the frame. I am picking up a parts m38 so if you need anything let me know.
     
  13. May 30, 2008
    CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Ohio
    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2006
    Messages:
    816
    It looks great. Get it somewhat dependable, and go enjoy it! Summer will be over before you know it!
     
  14. May 30, 2008
    Grandpa Jeep

    Grandpa Jeep Member

    Peyton, CO
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2003
    Messages:
    169
    It appears to have a WWII Full floating rear axle too. Cool Jeep!
     
  15. May 30, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2008
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    soo from a noob whats a floating rear axle do? after i fix the rear pinion seal then i think itll be pretty depenable. Heres the list of things I still would like to get
    -gas tank bracket
    -spare tire bracket
    -black out light for driver fender
    -brush bars for lights
    -data plates for dash
    -hangers for my shovel and axe(no clue what they look like)\
    and thats about it for now besides tires

    and yes it could very well be a different frame then what an m38 has. the gas tank is under the seat, but the seat flips up and the lid is on top of the tank. dont exactly know why he did it like that but no complaints!
     
  16. May 30, 2008
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2007
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    743
    The WWII MB (Willys manufacture) and GPW (Ford Manufacture) had the gas tank fill under the seat. Since the full-float Dana 23 is in the back, probably one of the donors was an MB or GPW. Most likely the front axle is from one as well or a CJ to match axle ratios. The M38 would have come with 5.38 gears and the WWII jeeps had 4.88's.

    Edit:
    The full-float axle has two wheel bearings per side that run on a spindle. They are grease lubricated. This is the same style axle you see under later 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. The wheel bearings support the load and the axle is then bolted to the hub. The bolts you see on the ends of the housing are bolted through the axle. So the bearings never touch the rear axle. If you break an axle, this does not cause the wheel to possibly fall off like on a semi-float axle. Not sure if this is very clear or not, but Google for an exploded view of a full-floater.
     
    Last edited: May 30, 2008
  17. May 30, 2008
    F150Boss86

    F150Boss86 New Member

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    mike i like the look of your jeep! so I have a dana 23 rear floating axle? with 5.38 gear? im learning more and more every day. thanks for the break down of a float axle, makes sense
     
  18. May 31, 2008
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    588
    Crawl under you jeep and look at the crossmember under the rear floor, let us know if it has something welded to the top of it.
     
  19. May 31, 2008
    1963cj5

    1963cj5 Member

    N.C.
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2006
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    307
    VERY NICE PROJECT....Wont take much to get it back to original....
     
  20. May 31, 2008
    spoolnaround

    spoolnaround New Member

    Central California
    Joined:
    May 25, 2008
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    ?? M-38's had a tailgate? Shovel and axe cut outs? My last flattie was supposed to have been an M-38 and had neither.
     
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