M2A1 "Hell Hound" project

[yd328]

W/s plate is a heavy piece, that's gotta be worth a few beers . Nice work.

Gary

[Darth_Kitten]

Wow! Lots of progress! I have soooo far to go!

[prestone]

Wow, Nice work 

[67tank]

Big Day today.  Better than Christmas.  My rear armor arrived from Oregon.  Don (who fabricated the rear) and his friend drove down in the middle night over the Oregon/California mountain pass to avoid the three storms coming.  Had to get a forklift from a local heavy tow company (who also handles all the transportation for the Garbarino WW2 Collection in San Rafael) to safely get the armor off and into my garage. 
Fall 2015 was expensive as far as this project goes.  Four machine guns, Final payment for rear armor, seat canvas and pioneer tools from Beechwood Canvas, 1917 .30 caliber tripod/cradle (original from WWI), and an early WWII original M49 ring for the pulpit.  I think a high end sports car would be cheaper to restore.....

When it warms up I get to take it apart, paint it, and put it back together.   

[67tank]

More

[steve-0]

wow that looks very complete.

I think a high end sports car would be cheaper to restore.....

ya but you can't pick up chicks in a sports car. 

[Tapper02]

SAAA-WEEEEEEET!!  Man, you're going to be chomping at the bit all winter to get to that….what a tease! 

-Tom

[spec4don]

Wowser That is awesome!

Don G.

[yd328]

That certainly is a nice piece to the puzzle. It looks great, fuel tanks and all.

Gary

[emptyhead]

Excellent

[67tank]

Engine Start today. 
I have been moving steadily to this day.  Both waiting with excited anticipation and also dreading it.  If the engine failed to start, I would have to pull it and start over.  If all went well... well then drink heavily, smoke a cigar, and move on to installing the wiring, completing the engine bay armor, and continuing moving parts from the garage to the HT. 
Big Thanks to Steve who walked me thru the wiring process for an engine start as well as teaching me how make the original battery cables, I prepped everything over the past couple of weeks.  Worked late into last night - Finished the radiator overflow return line, adjusted the fan belts, and ran some temporary 14 gauge wire for the  coil. 

Big shout out to my buddy Greg, (who is also a M1A1/M60A3 tanker, Gulf War vet tank platoon leader in 1AD, and MORE IMPORTANTLY someone who spent his summers working for his dad's big rig maintenance bay rebuilding diesel engines) came on over and we spent the day on this. 

Cranked the engine over at first with no fuel to see if she would move as well as to get it aligned to set the points (Andy said his French motor was not set).  Set the points, poured some gas in the carb and did it again.  No spark.  Tested to coil as per Steve's directions - no go.  Dead coil.  Off to Napa Auto.  Replace the condenser, coil and the points.  Test - now we have spark...

Fired it up.  Initially smoke everywhere (poured oil into the cylinders a few months ago and she is running rich).  But running.  Sounds awesome.  Everything seems to be working like it should.  Going to pull the carb and rebuild it.  (everything is 55 years old).  Exhaust manifold paint burnt right off - no surprise.  The rod for the linkage between the carb and firewall is too short.  Will have to replace.  Minor stuff but I am VERY HAPPY. 

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[67tank]

Video of it running.  First start in 55 years. 
I still a little bit of a contact high from the fumes. 

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[prestone]

Pure satisfaction 

[yd328]

Excellent work, the heart of the beast is alive.

Gary

[steve1973]

Pat, Congratulations!! She runs!! Sounds great!! I hope to see your track at Tower Park. No excuses.

Steve A.