M3 Restoration

[spec4don]

Well been cleaning up my frame and getting it ready for paint. Had to drill out all the cut off rivets. The sprockets and idlers are getting painted today. Pull the rear diff last night, will take it in and get it rebuilt.



Going to be at Tower Park the week after next. I posted this over on the Gee, Any halktrack guys that are going to be around we are planning on meeting at Steve1973's Lodge 366 Thursday at about 3:30pm. Informal, sip some Adult beverages (BYOB) and talk halftracks, see you there.

Don G.

[spec4don]

Got some more parts painted,  Steve's friend Mike painted them for me. I'm a lowsy painter, Give me a rattle can every time.



moving ahead

Don G

[steve-0]

hurry up don.
you need to have it ready for tower park 

keep up the good work

[spec4don]

This is from Steve 1973:

 Well, Don and I got a bit more done on the track this week. Monday, Don tore down the front hubs, brakes and backing plate to clean and paint. I was busy putting tube bumpers on my Dad's non military jeep. By the end of the day Don had the parts at the sand blasters for some good cleaning.

Today I felt ambitious so I tackled the boggie suspension and took it apart. The one nice thing I can say working on Don's halftrack is that I learn the correct way of doing things on his track so when I work on mine in the future I will know what to do. The first thing was to clean the threads down in the volute springs so that I can get a good bite with the spring compression tool.









We are pushing ahead.

Don G.











So, next Monday Don and I will finish dismantling the crabs then haul the lot to the sand blasters for cleaning. Were getting close to getting the frame painted!







I was dreading the nuts on the boggie arms but since I got a 3/4" impact gun and upgraded to a 1/2" air line they were no problem. All but 2 that is. we will need to use some heat on those.

 









So, next Monday Don and I will finish dismantling the crabs then haul the lot to the sand blasters for cleaning. Were getting close to getting the frame painted!

[spec4don]

Well been working on the front end now I just have to put it back together. The honey-do's been keeping me occupied right now:







Did mange to rebuild another gauge set, came out ok, need a new oil psi gauge.

Don G.

[spec4don]

Parts are still going back on! Too much home work rtght now Also my social director seems to have a lot of plans for me right now.






Don G

[gab]

Hi Don

Did you have the roller or did you have to rebuild the mounts?   Greg

[spec4don]

About a month before I bought the track, the guy took the roller to the scrap yard I did weld on new ears. I did get a used roller from the midwest. It needs work and is still attached to a piece of frame

Don G,

[gab]

Bummer.

[spec4don]

Steve and I got a bunch of parts put back on today



http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/2156/rear_axle.png[/img]

[spec4don]

Been a while but Steve and I removed the last major assembly. The engine and it is off to the rebuilder. I could probably do it my self but to real honest, I  hate working on engines So after putting parts on I feel like I'm back stepping, but it needs to be done. Thanks to Steve1973 for documenting my progress.






Don G.

[yd328]

Don,

It's good to see you're onto another phase of the resto. Was the engine a running?

Gary

[spec4don]

It was running good, but the water pump was bad. I'm pretty sure my track was rebuilt in the 50's due to having the threaded freeze plugs. That and the motor was painted OD Green. So I'm hoping it will be a cheap overhaul.

Don G.

[spec4don]

I posted this over on the G also:

If you have followed my M3 thread, I'm currently working on the rear suspension. I believe my track went through a rebuild program in the 50's. I have been cleaning up arms and came across this repair that was made to the sealing surface's. Looks like they were filled with brass then turned down. I talked with Gary and he said he hadn't seen that before either. I wonder if this was Military or maybe done by the old millwright at the mill it was at  Anyone have anythoughts??

[spec4don]

Hey!! Steve and I got her off the Jacks and and put some tires on it and and rolled it out the the door for the first time in a year. Next is to PSI wash the frame, prep then off to the paint shop. I'm really excited about that  We've made some real progress in the last couple of weeks.  Hope you like the low rider halftrack







Enjoy Don G.