My M37 Restoration Thread

[JStinson]

Inching Along

I got a nice little delivery from VPW today. All the flexible brake hoses, 2 tcase flange seals and all the parts to finish up the rear axle.

I started working on the transfer case first. The rear output and the front output seals are faulty. No big deal, I'll just slap another couple of seals in and call it good right? Wrong.

I removed the pin, nut and flange and then tackled the seal. I did not realize that it had an extra felt wipe butted against the seal. I started removing the seal with the puller putting pressure against the shaft. I torqued on it a for a bit, then got concerned enough that I looked at the manual to see if I was doing it right. It said I was. I bent up the outer felt seal and totally destroyed the inner one but nothing moved. I let that rest and went to other things.

I know the puller is backwards, I'll see if I can reverse it next time. Or, maybe I'll rent that slide puller again and call it good. Does anyone have a better idea on how to remove these seals?



I had enough of the flat nuts that connect the brake line to the frame bracket to do two hoses. The others were too rusted to salvage. I got one of three front hoses on and saved the other nut out so I could take it to a parts store and get more.

The lines that VPW sent are seriously heavy duty.

[JStinson]

I like the brass core plugs.

I like them too. When I paint the block, I'll tape them up so they'll still be shiny.

[Gordon Maney]

I like the brass core plugs.

[JStinson]

Engine Progress

I finally made it down to the shop that's doing my engine rebuild and took some pictures.







In the meantime, I called VPW and ordered enough parts to almost complete the brake system (sans MC). I'll still need a handful of nuts and washers, but it'll be near 100%.

[JStinson]

Progress

I've been occupied most of this week with other things, but I did manage to get some done on the truck today.

I remounted the front tires and moved the jack stands to the rear axle. Removed the rear tires and yanked the axle shafts and hubs. The bearing and races in the rear were in good shape. One of the front hub bearings that I replaced was in slightly better shape than one of the rear ones, so I decided to use it instead. I cleaned and repacked them and they are sitting on the table wrapped up waiting for me to order some new seals. I got a fun surprise when I got the right rear hub off and discovered that the snap ring had been left on the worktable of whoever disassembled the hub last. So, I'll have to ask VPW if they have one laying around. The rear hub seals were quite stubborn, but I got them out through brute force and ignorance.

I also got the tie rod ends and connector (not sure the correct name for this) back on, but not completely mounted yet.

Bearings wrapped and ready





Before today, I managed to get one of the drive shafts back on. New bolts, cleaned and painted shaft and a new grease fitting.



The time, unfortunately, has come. I cannot deny it any longer. I have to start working on body panels. The horror...

[Desoto61]

I would want to have it all planned so I could get a lot done that week.

The unit is capable of operating 24/7. So if you get some friends and line your vehicles up, plan shifts, with enough people and projects you might almost make it cost effective.

Looks like I'll be sticking with Jasco and a steam cleaner...for now.

Yes, my truck will have to make due with regular media blasting, don't think they'll let me borrow it or bring my vehicle in on a weekend to use it, assuming they buy one.

Wonder how much electricity that thing uses? Probably need 3-phase power too, doubt you can plug it into even the average range outlet at home.

[JStinson]

Not sure if that was the same system, but yes that's basically how it worked. This was the system we had demonstrated

http://youtu.be/dZ_90920Zbg

half a million $ and about the size of a small car, but no blasting debris, and the only safety gear you need is a set of special glasses. All you end up with is a vacuum system full of dust and a lot of clean metal.

Supposedly you can rent the system for $5000/week.

Looks like I'll be sticking with Jasco and a steam cleaner...for now.

[Gordon Maney]

I would want to have it all planned so I could get a lot done that week.

[Desoto61]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHJVR0xM5l8

Is that what you're talking about? I had to look it up, that's some futuristic type stuff!

Not sure if that was the same system, but yes that's basically how it worked. This was the system we had demonstrated

http://youtu.be/dZ_90920Zbg

half a million $ and about the size of a small car, but no blasting debris, and the only safety gear you need is a set of special glasses. All you end up with is a vacuum system full of dust and a lot of clean metal.

Supposedly you can rent the system for $5000/week.

[Gordon Maney]

I worked on the truck for a little while today. I finally managed to get the front left hub/knuckle/etc back together.

New gaskets and felt wipe.



Putting it back better than before





Mo' better.

Again, I really have high hopes for these lockouts. I spun the hub locked and unlocked and realized just how much drag the front drive train creates. That was even without the drag from the front drive shaft and transfer case. I bet it'll cut out a lot of noise too.

It also eliminates any vibration you might get from a front driveshaft.

[JStinson]

Front left complete

I worked on the truck for a little while today. I finally managed to get the front left hub/knuckle/etc back together.

New gaskets and felt wipe.



Putting it back better than before





Mo' better.

Again, I really have high hopes for these lockouts. I spun the hub locked and unlocked and realized just how much drag the front drive train creates. That was even without the drag from the front drive shaft and transfer case. I bet it'll cut out a lot of noise too.

[JStinson]

Absolutely! The only thing better is a laser. We had a company in to work showing off their laser paint removal system. It really is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Point the gun at a surface and paint/rust/oil/dirt just disintegrates. You can do 1 sq. ft. in about 5 minutes and there's no sand to dispose of, just the dust that gets vacuumed up.

Too bad the thing costs about 4-times more than my house and is the size of a small car.

Keep up the good work. I'm anctious to get back to work on mine once I get this kitchen remodel finished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHJVR0xM5l8

Is that what you're talking about? I had to look it up, that's some futuristic type stuff!

[Desoto61]

If you have room for one, cabinet sand blasters are the greatest thing since sliced bread and tiny hamburgers.

Absolutely! The only thing better is a laser. We had a company in to work showing off their laser paint removal system. It really is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Point the gun at a surface and paint/rust/oil/dirt just disintegrates. You can do 1 sq. ft. in about 5 minutes and there's no sand to dispose of, just the dust that gets vacuumed up.

Too bad the thing costs about 4-times more than my house and is the size of a small car.

Keep up the good work. I'm anctious to get back to work on mine once I get this kitchen remodel finished.

[Gordon Maney]

It's even worse trying to ride a motorcycle with brinelled steering-head bearing races.

[JStinson]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brinelling

The other side was rough looking too, but the left one was worse. It's interesting finding these kinds of things and think "huh, so that's why it did that when I was driving it."