M2a1 progress

[yd328]

I'm on the downhill side now .  I will be doing some panel repairs along with smaller items now that the warm weather is here and paint when it cools down.
Hopefully it will be moving under its own power soon.

Gary

[spec4don]

Bravo Gary! Looking forward to seeing a video of her rolling down the road!

Don G

[yd328]

It's time to repair the rear plates and also straighten, cut and weld in new pieces to the perimeter rail.  Here is one of the rear plates. The cracks in the plate are outlined, those have to be repaired as well. I will make patch panels to weld in. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. I have been repairing smaller cracks by grinding a v in both sides, preheating, welding, needle hammering for stress relief and then grinding the welds flat.



Gary

[yd328]

Well it looks like I may have to go in a different direction with this panel.  I made some patch panels but when I spot weld them in place on the hard side some of the welds crack as they cool. I am concerned that when I am done they may crack some more. Plan B repro panels, I would prefer an original but I do not know of any out there. If anyone has one they would part with let me know.  I am trying to keep all the armor original, the only plate not original so far is the windshield plate,  but I think this panel is too far gone.

Gary

[mfrance]

Needs to be welded with stainless so not to crack....

[yd328]

Thanks, I am looking into some options now thanks to some of the other members here. I have welded smaller cracks with no problem, but nothing this large.

Gary

[yd328]

Here's some of the dash knobs that I have refinished. Also, the fuel filter and shut offs behind the drivers seat. Anyone else have this setup?




Gary

[8683jb]

Those knobs look fantastic Gary! If you want to keep those skills finely honed, I can send you my knobs! I haven't seen that particular fuel setup. Of course, there's a lot of stuff I haven't seen on half tracks yet - still learning. I've attached pictures of my fuel filter and fuel selector. The fuel hose is temporary.

[steve-0]

I have run across those fuel valves a couple times.
http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=228.0

they where also used on the autocrar U7144T trucks

[yd328]

Those knobs look fantastic Gary! If you want to keep those skills finely honed, I can send you my knobs!

Thanks, the knobs worked out ok, the ignition switch took me three tries .

I have run across those fuel valves a couple times.
http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=228.0

they where also used on the autocrar U7144T trucks

Since that post I have not seen or heard of the set up. I did purchase the valve set from Tom. I'm assuming it was something done during the rebuild??

Gary

[emptyhead]

Looking very nice

[spec4don]

Awesome! Love watching tracks come together!

Don G.

[steve1973]

Looking great. That fuel valve set up is about the 3rd or 4th I've seen. I'm sure it is a post WWII modification. Which country, I don't know. French, Israel or other? Keep up the great work.

Steve A.

[yd328]

Looking great. That fuel valve set up is about the 3rd or 4th I've seen. I'm sure it is a post WWII modification. Which country, I don't know. French, Israel or other? Keep up the great work.

Steve A.

I think it was done here, probably during the rebuild. It looks like it was refurbed around March of 45 looking at rebuild plates and stenciling on the body.  Also, I don't think this one left the US. I have been told it was sold as surplus in 46 to a farmer in Texas. The stenciling also has indicated it was possibly put into storage or shipped somewhere in May of 45, the fuel tanks were drained and noted on the body.

Gary

[yd328]

Over the winter I have worked on some wiring and getting the motor running, It started right up .  I was able to run it through all of the gears, high, low range and shift the front axle in and out. Now that winter is finally starting to let go I can get work on repairing/painting and mounting the larger pieces.
Thanks to Clint in Florida I have some pieces to patch the rear panels . I just had the side panels to the troop compartment blasted. I found what looks like someone testing the armor.




Gary