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Time Capsule Navy CJ3A by Valentine APU

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Nick_ View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar. 2016 at 2:31am
Say hello to my little friend of 75 hp glory, and my partner in crime Jim (WeeWilly).




I found this 1946 CJ2A donor on Craigslist. The two previous owners didn't do much with it besides a new fuel pump because the oil gauge line broke. When I went to look at it we used vice-grips to seal it off. He didn't even have gas so I had to run across town to get some. Started it up... then the oil filter seal blew out. Oil flung all over him, the Jeep, the garage...ha! I took a chance buying this. I knew it ran and didn't smoke, but didn't know if it had good power or the tranny condition. The guy thought I was pranking him and couldn't believe I came back with cash. He even hauled it for me.

My partner in crime had the Jeep safely running in about 5 minutes. Jim plugged off the oil filter and soon enough I was blasting across his yard. That extra +15 hp really makes a difference. Everything checks out beautifully with this Jeep.

Here's the plan: In a couple weeks when I'm on spring break I'll bring the Jeep home. I also have a parts 3A with a potentially running L-head and rotted body. So swap the 2A drivetrain into the APU, then the 3A drivetrain into the 2A. Sell off the other Jeeps and be scott-free with my engine. The APU will rise!


Edited by Nick_ - 02 Mar. 2016 at 2:47am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WeeWilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar. 2016 at 3:00am
Enjoyed the evening with you Nick and glad to be of a help.

    Jim
47 CJ2A (Ranch Hand) 48 CJ2A, 48 Willys truck, T3C 3782, M274 (Military Mule)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bob W Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Mar. 2016 at 5:25pm
Keep in mind that a CJ-2A and a CJ-3A use different engine front plates and the drivers side mount bracket on the frame is different. F-head engines could also have a few different front plates depending on the original application.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Mar. 2016 at 12:42am
Bob, I think I should be golden. The APU frame is already setup for the F-head engine. On the engine plate itself I will have to find out once I get everything pulled apart. On the driver side of the F-head mount, there's a piece of angle iron that mounts to the 2A frame.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote was1257 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Mar. 2016 at 12:02am
If those 1950 dated headlights are made by cocoran-brown , you should be able rebuild them.
If you google Corcoran-brown headlights, there is a post on how to rebuild and replace the bulbs.
I bought the 6volt bulbs in England for about $3 a piece.
It takes about an hour per headlight
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Nick_ View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar. 2016 at 12:48am
 

Originally posted by was1257 was1257 wrote:

If those 1950 dated headlights are made by cocoran-brown , you should be able rebuild them.
 

I meant to check if they were Corcoran-Brown but I completely forgot.

During spring break I brought the donor 2A home for some engine transplanting. My master plan was to do a 3 Jeep drivetrain swap as described in my other post, but bubba and time were against me especially with traveling to Arizona. I did manage to pull the F-head/tranny out of the 2A.


This donor Jeep was too nice to go to waste, and the L-head I was going to put back in ended up having an internal noise. So I checked Craigslist and ended up finding a Hobart Welder in Chicago... I was more excited than I'd like to admit when I picked it up. The owner was excited that I was excited and nothing but giggling. This thing was an absolute beast, and the L-head worked great for the donor Jeep. Now the 2A's all back together and about ready to move on (I don't need another project).


Engine for the APU! Here's something interesting: this had a 9 1/4'' clutch like an M38A1 rather than the 8 1/2'' CJ clutches. Next time I'm home, I'll check and see what the numbers on the engine are. That would be pretty neat if it was military.





The engine paint has the perfect amount of wear 'n tear I wanted for the APU. I'm going to order a new clutch, pressure plate, fork, and throwout bearing to do this Jeep right. She will ride again!

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zuma58 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Mar. 2016 at 5:33pm
Hey Nick, another member here is looking for other owners of APU Jeeps, not sure why but you might PM him and see what he wants, his member name is Toms52Willys. Jiust thought you might want to know....
Steve
Long May You Run!!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Mar. 2016 at 1:42am
Thanks for the heads up, I've already been in contact with Tom for the past few months. I talked to him before I even went to look at the Jeep. He's one of the pioneers in APU history research, and is always emailing me some cool stuff. Here's an early APU based on a WWII Jeep:

And one of the only known pictures of a Valentine APU. That guy must've irritated it.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Apr. 2016 at 12:55am
There hasn’t been any physical progress on the Valentine since I’m stuck at campus for another month til summer. However, Tom has made some unbelievable progress in uncovering history/mysteries about APU’s. He frequently travels to the National Archives to obtain documents. 

This Valentine is 1 of 75. No wonder this is the only one to surface.
Here is the original quote from Valentine to the US government:




Full document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6edWObkSS3ORnhQd0lfMTNXUXM/view?usp=sharing

Now we have a few answers to some questions. This document confirms a 500-1000 amp DC generator and a 400 cycle AC generator. Also noted is the F-head installation. Below are some pictures of another NA-4 Jeep starting some jets (or at least posing for the camera).

I have #19 of 75… unbelievable.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2016 at 6:16am
Where do I begin? I'm out of school until next semester. In the past 2 days I've been home its been nonstop work on the APU. This whole week my family and I are going to New Orleans for a car club event, so next week I'll have about 3 days to get the Jeep operational for Effingham. I swear I'm not crazy.

First are the tires I thought I ordered:


The tires I received. They aren't as aggressive. I've been working on getting the correct ones from the warehouse, but if not I can live with these. I'm putting whichever tires I end up with on the original rims. A matching set is a step-up from what she's at now.


Last night I started surgery on the Valentine itself, going where no man has gone before in this century! To drop the transmission and transfercase, the PTO system must first be removed. Here is the cover plate that first comes off:



The oil drain on the PTO:


Surprisingly it was still pretty full of clean oil. The axles were at the fill level as well. Pretty amazing since she's sat since 1962! 

And drop:



Next I decided to do some preventative maintenance. Keep in mind everything worked perfectly in the donor Jeep. Of course while its out, changing the oil seals would make sense. I separated the trans/tcase/bellhousing. Put a new gasket on the front of the tranny (and in true fashion dropped the needle bearings, so those were re-greased and set). The shifter pin on the tcase refused to be slid out, and during the process of heavy equipment, the front part of the case got cracked. 


While removing the front part of the case to change it, the shifter rod snapped in half. It also cut my finger nail in half Ouch So the plan is to take the rod from the "original" tcase and swap it over. Yep... I've turned oil seals into tearing the whole thing apart.


The list now is: 

1. Build the tcase
2. New clutch and mate drivetrain
3. Completely overhaul the brake system
4. ????
5. Self-powered ride into the sunset

Did I mention I'll have 3 days?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote berettajeep Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 May 2016 at 3:16pm
Quit wasting time here and get back to work!LOL
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 5:29am
Aaaaand the 3 days have begun! 

Yesterday I spent about 12 solid hours working on the APU. During the trip to New Orleans, it hit me: I had another tcase on a shelf. So once back home I checked it out and it looked great. It got pulled apart for all new oil seals, just to be sure it wouldn't leak. Next was a new clutch system for more preventative maintenance. Then finally mated the drivetrain together. I forgot to take pictures of this, but will do tomorrow.

Today the Jeep was brought into the main shop for major surgery. I figured the brakes needed to be completely gone through. No wonder the front wheels sat crooked, this is what the front axle looked like:

No axle shaft! No backing plate! 
It makes me wonder why it was all left apart. I know the original owner was planning a restoration. Maybe this was the first step he never finished.


Good thing I'm a hoarder. Had this CJ3A chassis sitting out back just in case the APU needed it. Who woulda thought?


Here are the pre-restored rear drums. Yuck. I successfully took off 3 hubs with ease. The driver rear drum absolutely would not come off for anything. Knowing I'm on a tight time limit, I decided to give up and move on. 3 of 4 should be enough for this parade cruiser, at least for now.


About 11 hard hours later we have beauty. They're adjusted and ready to rock.





Goals for tomorrow: 
Install master cylinder.
Connect brake lines & bleed the system.
Put the Jeep on its wheels again.
Finish up the little touches on the drivetrain, then drop it in.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 46Willard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 May 2016 at 3:18pm
I just noticed the right taillight, I assume not original, but it has a nice vintage look. I have not seen that style before, is there any markings on it?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 6:24am
Originally posted by 46Willard 46Willard wrote:

I just noticed the right taillight, I assume not original, but it has a nice vintage look. I have not seen that style before, is there any markings on it?

I'm not sure if it's original or not, but here's a picture. It reads: "Stratolight"



Today was day 3 of my mechanical restoration. Yesterday I thought the brakes were just about finished and would just need some quick work, but that was not the case. I fought the master cylinder, all the brake line threads, and clogged brake lines. There was so much clogging that the pedal was completely stiff. I managed to get one of the front cylinders to work. The rest will have to wait. I also had to pull the front hubs apart. It was a day full of 1 step forward, 2 steps backwards.

Tires: It turned out my eBay specials were a tick too short. They could have worked, but ground clearance is low enough as it is. The local tire shop had some 5.30-12's. My original tires are 4.50-12's, but the sizes are almost exactly the same. I also like how the tread doesn't look completely like a trailer tire. All said and done with tires, tubes, and labor I was only out $235.


The tire shop had to completely wire wheel the inside of the rims then tube them. I kept the original tire that's identical to those in historic photographs. 5.30's must be the new 4.50's but they do look great.


Here's the culprit of most my stress during the week. Like I mentioned yesterday, I put on a new clutch, pilot bushing, and fork. Both the tranny and tcase got all new oil seals. Hopefully it won't leak too much. While it's out of the Jeep, it only makes sense to replace the wear items. This picture was at about 10pm.


*Que the music*





Today I started out at 9am and left the shop at midnight. Once the brakes starting giving me trouble I heavily debated throwing in the towel, just install the radiator and push it up the trailer. I'm glad I kept moving forward. Tomorrow afternoon we leave for the Effingham show. It's going to be a final day of running around like a maniac getting the drivetrain hooked up.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dmac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 May 2016 at 3:26pm
Nice, going to try to make it to Effingham myself tomorrow. Good luck!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nick_ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2016 at 2:32am
What a crazy week! Looking back at my posts from last Monday, I can't believe this is the same Jeep.

The final day, Friday, started out with the engine in the Jeep. I thought we could be rolling to Effingham at around 3 pm. It turned out I underestimated the amount of time it would take to "finish" the job up. Around 12 pm I knew it was pretty far behind. It turned into an all-hands-on-deck operation to finish the: 
-Wiring
-Driveshafts
-Engine hoses
-Oil hoses
-All fluids changed
-"New" exhaust



Around 8 pm I was finally rolling out for the 5 hour drive. I arrived at the hotel at around 2 am. The bed was so cozy I uh, overslept a little. After Hugh calling me about 5 times to wake and tell me some people were looking for the APU, I shot right out of bed. This was taken just after I backed it out:



At the reunion. I couldn't have been more proud at this moment:


Not only was it a Willys reunion, but a brotherly reunion. Sitting next to the APU is Hugh's MB, which was purchased at the same property. I believe they were both bought from surplus at the same time.


I moved the Jeep over to some scenic trees for a little photo shoot for the Dispatcher magazine. This will be in the June 2016 edition. More and more people gathered to see this piece of machinery.



All said and done, I'm glad I worked round the clock last week. Unloading the Jeep and having masses people gather made the whole process worth it. I learned I'm not the only guy crazy enough to fall in love with an APU. A few people pointed out my gas tank had a special anti-spark fuel pump, which they've never seen on a Jeep before. We learned quite a bit at the reunion, met some great people, and had a blast driving the APU for the first time. I have a little video I'll have to upload. Right now I'm debating going to the Ohio show next Friday. 

She lives after 54 years!!


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JEEPzilla Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2016 at 3:37am
Sweet find! I'm glad to hear your keeping it patina style. I left my 46 as is out of the barn like Dad stored it. I'm thinking on clear coat over, and rust kill (POR15) under for body metal.

Good luck!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bill Norris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2016 at 11:59am
Nick,
 
It was definitely 'the find' at the show this year. Glad you got it going and brought it.
 
I didn't realize Valentine was in Detroit and actually not too far from where I work. I have an inquiry in at the library here to see if they have any info. I'll let you know what I hear back.
 
Bill
Holy Toledo! Jeep Calendars and the Dispatcher Jeep magazine

http://dispatchermagazine.com
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