Forum Home Forum Home > CJ-2A Discussion Area > Your Jeep Project
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - The Resurrection of CJ2-26
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

The Resurrection of CJ2-26

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 1112131415 22>
Author
Message
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep. 2018 at 8:32pm
The last major part to receive attention this past week is the engine.  As noted on the first page of this thread, Willys short block serial number MB-504693 was purchased because it was only 1,088 engine serial numbers after the original factory engine in CJ2-26, which I believe was MB-503605.*  Its unlikely I will ever find a MB engine with a closer serial number during my lifetime, so I'm very happy with this purchase. 



The cast in data on the lower passenger side reveals the block was cast on October 20 [1944], likely within a few days of the original block, casting data unknown.  It bears Willys part number 638632 for the bare block then used in military jeep production. It's iron alloy includes nickel-chromium ("NI-CR"), as seen here:  



A vigorous cleaning of the piston tops reveals they are all standard size pistons stamped "S", so there's plenty of meat remaining in the smooth appearing bores.  Yesterday I removed all the valves, which were marked with their respective positions.



I will have disassembly completed by tomorrow and early next week will take the block and some parts to a local machine shop to be cleaned,  magnafluxed, and freshened up.  I expect to have hardened seats installed for both the intake and exhaust valves.  I will install a CJ-2A crankshaft with heavier counterweights for slightly greater torque and on-trail momentum. I'll keep the chain driven camshaft but will replace the factory chain and sprockets with a nice, new roller chain and sprockets manufactured by Richard Saunders in Australia.      

The stamped CJ-2 preproduction jeep used the new, unribbed civilian cylinder head, Willys part number 640161. With its very low civilian jeep 640XXX part number, it likely was released for production during July 1944.  It is listed in the CJ-2 Bill of Material on a page retyped on 11-18-44, so it definitely was used on the stamped CJ-2 preproduction jeeps.  I have a nice, crisp example with a casting date of 8-28 that I will use on CJ2-26. 



Motoring along on . . .

*[NOTE: This post was edited on 10-14-18 to correct CJ2-26's original engine serial number to MB-503605.  Thanks wheelie for noticing the mistake.] 



Edited by Fred Coldwell - 14 Oct. 2018 at 8:16pm
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
Oilleaker1 View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 06 Sep. 2011
Location: Black Hills, SD
Status: Offline
Points: 4406
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Oilleaker1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep. 2018 at 8:41pm
Excellent Fred! We'll expect this Jeep ready for trail testing by the 3rd week in June. Wink Oilly
Green Disease, Jeeps, Old Iron!
Back to Top
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep. 2018 at 9:06pm
Originally posted by RICKG RICKG wrote:

The M38 features 4 holes between the rails, 2 each at 11-1/4 and 18-1/2 from the ends. Attachment of the inner wooden reinforcement happens at these locations.

RickG:

Our front bumpers share between-the-rails holes at 18-1/2" in from each end, but my new bumper's second set of holes are 16-1/2" in from each end, so your M38 does not have an AgriM front bumper.  LOL  Thanks for the data! 
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep. 2018 at 9:38pm
Originally posted by Oilleaker1 Oilleaker1 wrote:

Excellent Fred! We'll expect this Jeep ready for trail testing by the 3rd week in June. Wink Oilly

That sounds like a realistic goal, Oilly.  I'll see how fast I can move.  Smile

Originally posted by Ol' Unreliable Ol' Unreliable wrote:

I feel a need to re-read Preproduction Civilian Jeeps again.  Big smile  Keep up the good work, Fred!

Open that binding and dig in, Ol' U.  Hopefully there will be plenty of good stay indoors reading weather over the next 6 months.  Let's pray for the many deep feet of snow we need in too dry Colorado.  
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
Ol' Unreliable View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 25 Sep. 2016
Location: CO Springs CO
Status: Offline
Points: 4226
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep. 2018 at 2:47am
Originally posted by Fred Coldwell Fred Coldwell wrote:

Let's pray for the many deep feet of snow we need in too dry Colorado.  


Yes, let's.  I've been pretty disappointed with winters here since I moved in '91.  We got a good 4" snow a couple days before Hallowe'en that year and I expected that to happen all winter long, but it was not to be.  Cry
There's a reason it's called Ol' Unreliable
Back to Top
Unkamonkey View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 23 Mar. 2016
Location: Greeley CO
Status: Offline
Points: 2093
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Unkamonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep. 2018 at 3:27am
As the old saying goes, climate is what you expect and weather is what you get. Be happy, there is nothing you can do about it anyway. I was up with some friends, we had to keep moving the brandy bottle closer to the fire to keep it from freezing.
uncamonkey
Back to Top
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 5:03pm
Progress steadily marches forward.  Disassembly of engine MB-504693 was completed, revealing the machining date stamped into its lower flange: 11-6-44.  



This is about 3 weeks after the engine block was cast on 10-20 [44], so we now know this was a slacker engine that hung out at the machine shop for a while after it was born.  Geeesh!

The short block has been delivered to the machine shop across town, Gunn Automotive.  They will contact me next week with the initial assessment after they clean, magnaflux it, and mic some of the parts. 

The gallon of Kano Lab's Floway degreaser arrived by UPS.  Today I'll purchase a plastic hand spray bottle to apply it to the greasy and caked-up jeep parts.  A clean life is a neat life. Tongue 
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
CJ2A-CT View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 19 Apr. 2016
Location: Connecticut
Status: Offline
Points: 360
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote CJ2A-CT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 6:28pm
Fred, I look forward to each of your updates, keep them coming!
46 CJ2a 22786 Brer Rabbit, 53 Willys Wagon, 62 Willys Pickup building with son-in-law, Jason
Back to Top
TXtea View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 21 Mar. 2017
Location: Dallas
Status: Offline
Points: 156
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TXtea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 6:57pm
So I've been creeping on this thread and I think it's awesome!  Keep up the good work Fred.  That being said, I didn't realize you had written a book on these early Jeeps until a few posts ago.  So after learning that I went to Amazon just to see if they had a copy and sure enough they did... for almost $2600!!!!  I sure hope you're getting a piece of that.  Haha!

Ryan
'48 CJ2A SN: 161039
Back to Top
Bruce W View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 29 July 2005
Location: Northeast Colorado
Status: Offline
Points: 9611
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bruce W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 7:12pm
Ryan, I could let you have mine for $2200.00. Plus shipping, of course. Big smile  BW
It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.

Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You!

We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep.
Back to Top
TXtea View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 21 Mar. 2017
Location: Dallas
Status: Offline
Points: 156
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote TXtea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 8:25pm
Originally posted by Bruce W Bruce W wrote:

Ryan, I could let you have mine for $2200.00. Plus shipping, of course. Big smile  BW

Hmm, that's still a bit steep for me... How about $2175.00?  Haha!
Ryan
'48 CJ2A SN: 161039
Back to Top
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 10:24pm
Just noticed the 11-6-44 machining date on the engine block is the same as the assembly date stamped into the original rear axle.  So CJ2-26 will be in perfect balance and harmony date-wise front and rear, assuring firm and steady time travel on highways and trails.  LOL 

A quick commercial break for an alternative to Amazon. For those who don't want to deplete all their thou$$$ands in jeep parts funds to learn more about the CJ-1 and CJ-2, have I got a deal for you!!  My 2001 book:



is available at the far more reasonable price of $30.00 plus shipping, and includes a brief personal note to you from the author himself. Postage in the lower 48 states is $6.70 for a Priority Mail Flat Rate letter size envelope, so the total payable is $36.70 in the lower 48 sates. For postage elsewhere, please contact me by PM or email with your full mailing address, and I'll advise you of the applicable amount of postage. 

The book is 176 pages long and chock full of thick, juicy early jeep data and facts. The table of Contents gives you an idea of the topics covered:


Payment options include PayPal, money order or check.  Please email me for my PayPal account name.  You can mail a check or money order for $36.70 payable to "Vintimage, Inc." to:

Fred Coldwell
2031 Krameria St.
Denver, CO.  80207-3928    
 
and remember to include your full mailing address so I can mail you the signed book.  Thank you.

Now back to our irregularly scheduled programming. Smile


 
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
RICKG View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jan. 2015
Location: so idaho
Status: Offline
Points: 1941
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RICKG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 10:29pm
A Shameless Plug!Thumbs Up
I never met a mule I didn't like!
MC51986 "OD MULE" DOD 01-52
'50 CJ3A "Bucksnort".
Keep 'em Rollin'
Back to Top
wheelie View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar
Sponsor Member

Joined: 25 Jan. 2011
Location: red lion. pa
Status: Offline
Points: 814
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote wheelie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct. 2018 at 10:33pm
Just started catching up on this. I was just going to mention the matching dates. That's about as cool as it gets. 

Glad you are back at it. Been missing this thread. Is there another book in the future about this restoration, specifically? Thumbs Up
Back to Top
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct. 2018 at 1:54am
Originally posted by RICKG RICKG wrote:

A Shameless Plug!Thumbs Up

A 14 mm. Auto-Lite AN-7 gapped  to .030", for sure!

Originally posted by wheelie wheelie wrote:

Is there another book in the future about this restoration, specifically? Thumbs Up 
Nah, only this thread, which is mostly interesting facts discovered during the resto rather than a how-to-do-it instructional thread. You wouldn't want to follow my meandering path because I'm learning by doing, missteps and all.  Wink
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
Ol' Unreliable View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 25 Sep. 2016
Location: CO Springs CO
Status: Offline
Points: 4226
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct. 2018 at 2:06am
Originally posted by wheelie wheelie wrote:

Is there another book in the future about this restoration, specifically? Thumbs Up


If there is, I want to pre-order it!  Thumbs Up
There's a reason it's called Ol' Unreliable
Back to Top
Fred Coldwell View Drop Down
Member
Member


Joined: 18 Nov. 2005
Location: Denver, CO.
Status: Offline
Points: 437
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Fred Coldwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct. 2018 at 12:24am
Great news today from the engine machine shop: the magnaflux was magnanimous!  No cracks anywhere in the block or cylinder head.  Tongue  Measurements have been taken and new parts are on order.  Tomorrow I'll take over the clutch assembly, front pulley and other crankshaft parts necessary to have everything precisely balanced, just like me.  LOL  Step by step . . . 
Happy Jeep Trails,


Fred Coldwell
Denver, CO
1944 CJ2-09 - X-33
1945 CJ2-26 - X-50

Back to Top
Ol' Unreliable View Drop Down
Member
Member
Avatar

Joined: 25 Sep. 2016
Location: CO Springs CO
Status: Offline
Points: 4226
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct. 2018 at 3:24am
Fred, when you were looking at the "JEEP" stamping last month, it occurred to me that the "JEEP" was scanned on the front of the windshield frame.  Has anyone suggested scanning the back of the stamping to try to re-create that stamp?  I don't know if it would give a more accurate stamp but it might be worth a try.
There's a reason it's called Ol' Unreliable
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 1112131415 22>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.06
Copyright ©2001-2022 Web Wiz Ltd.