M2A1 Front End and Engine Rebuild

[8683jb]

Those look great Steve. You're right - it's a shame to paint them. Glad you're feeling better! Lots o' beer dissolves kidney stones...at least that's my theory.

[steve1973]

Made some more progress this last week. With Don's help I have new battery cables. I might be making some more in the future for sale if there is any interest.





More parts painted. It seems there is always something else to paint.



I'm at that point to reinstall the dash/cowling back onto the frame. Everything is set for the install tomorrow.





Steve A.

[steve1973]

Major accomplishment today. I got the cowling back on the frame. Its beginning to look like a halftrack again. Now to finish up the wiring.



Steve A.

[67tank]

Nice Steve.  Very nice. 

[Smadge]

Steve, great progress!  What's your plan for the canvas between the clutch and brake pedals and the firewall?

Paul

[steve1973]

It's called air draft seals and Kevin Lockwood sells kits for this. I will try and get some photos for you over the weekend.

Steve A.

[yd328]

You've got a lot of work done. It looks great.

Gary

[Smadge]

It's called air draft seals and Kevin Lockwood sells kits for this. I will try and get some photos for you over the weekend.

Steve A.

Thanks Steve.

[steve1973]

Here is what is left of my draft seal kit.



Here is the kit from Kevin Lockwood.



Steve A.

[emptyhead]

Nice work steve

[steve1973]

Made lots of progress this last week. First, thanks for all the kind comments! The one thing I like where my shop is that I'm close by many great parts places. I have a rubber and line place, fastener place several parts houses and a auto paint supplier. Anyway, back to my progress. All the fuel and vacuum lines are in. Thanks to Eric at Pacific Rubber for that. Here is the fuel line set I had made up. It runs from the frame mounted fuel filter to the fuel pump. $50.00 plus shipping if anyone is interested.



I filled up the engine with break in oil, did some more painting and sandblasting. Finished up all the electrical on the firewall and my add on spark module in the coil box. Installed the generator with the help of my crane.



Here are some detailed photos of what I have done so far.

















 I will be re installing the exhaust and filling the cooling system this week. Tomorrow I'm buying a 8D battery and getting that installed. My goal is to have the first engine start next weekend.

Steve A.

[Monkeypirate]

Best of luck with the first firing! I envy your progress. I look at all the work you have put into this track and realize I have miles of hard road ahead of me!

[Robert Cassin]

Get out the video camera for the fireup!

[yd328]

Looks great Steve. What's the white container mounted to the firewall?

Gary

[steve1973]

Looks great Steve. What's the white container mounted to the firewall?

Gary

Hi Gary,

When I got my halftrack it came with two unique items. One, was a Stewart Warner electric fuel pump for a Ford GT-40 race car and this canister. After doing some research I found out it was an accessory item, non military, from the 30's and 40's made by Marvel Mystery Oil and is called an inverse oiler. Using vacuum it draws in metered drops of this fluid into the intake which allows lube to the engines top end. I thought it was worth to keep this item. I went on eBay and purchased an NOS one and will sell the one I removed. The fuel pump is also for sale.

Steve A.