Our 1942 MB Project "Jolly Rogers"

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:27 am

Have someone go through the whole thing with you. I hear they are pretty easy to do. I tried finding the pics from last year but a friend blew out a gear on his GPW. I slid out of my 60's slant pocket uniform, turned off the Jimi Hendrix and turned on Artie shaw and put on my HBT overalls and we opened up his in the field at our MV show. We actually drained the oil into a helmet and had a good time doing it.

I dont know how missed this thread earlier in the year but welcome to the MV world............Highly recommend the G503 for those. I am on there lurking in other sections as I dont own a MB/GPW yet but who knows, they might convert me but they have better chances with a WC52.

One of my rides...........got over a 1,000 miles on it this summer. 1951 Dodge M-37 as it would have been at Kimpo AB, Korea.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 8:25 am

Thanks for the advice Jeff! I've found that she is very easy to work on considering how cars are built today. We're planning on driving her home this Sunday to have better access to her and start digging into the transmission.

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 12:29 pm

Just did the brakes on Jim's 46 Willys here at the hangar.
I replaced all cylinders and master as well as the rubber hoses.
But the 9" brakes are known for being less than efficient.
Is the pedal spongy or just lower than you want it when its travel stops?
If it is the travel there could be a link to adjust between master cylinder and the brake arm, (on the 46 Willys there is) or the pedal might have some other type of adjustment? Possibly adjusting the brake shoes might help. There are cams to adjust on each shoe at the bottom pivot.
We also jacked each wheel up and made sure each would stop the wheel. Before the brake work we stopped after the front axle as neither did stop the wheel from turning by hand. They were really frozen and corroded on ours but hopefully not on yours as you got some braking.
Good luck

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 1:12 pm

Rich,
I think he is talking about his transmission issue.

When it comes to the 46 cj's and the military version. There are some pretty good mechanical differences between them.

My philosophy and experience has told me when taking someone from a modern car and put them in a vehicle with drum brakes, they are going to complain that there is something wrong. You just got to remind yourself that when they were designed, people were not in a hurry to get there and took there time to enjoy the scenery.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 1:14 pm

If you end up yanking it out and opening it up, I got a couple of people that have done it here in vt. I am sure they could give you any pointers on troubleshooting and fixes.

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 4:12 pm

N3Njeff wrote:

Rich,
I think he is talking about his transmission issue.

When it comes to the 46 cj's and the military version. There are some pretty good mechanical differences between them.

My philosophy and experience has told me when taking someone from a modern car and put them in a vehicle with drum brakes, they are going to complain that there is something wrong. You just got to remind yourself that when they were designed, people were not in a hurry to get there and took there time to enjoy the scenery.

This is what I was refering to-

All in all not a bad day. Things to still do is bleed the brakes some more to see if we can get the pedal up. If we don't see any success, then we'll have to consider replacing the master cylinder.

I know it was back in July so I hoped all went well with the brakes.
I believe the brakes are the same but I could be mistaken. The brakes are Bendix products, the entire brake unit is a bolt on assy on the each end of the axle. On the 46 CJ-2A all are the same, front/rear and R/L. Online parts stores reference the same parts for MB/GPW/CJ-2A as far as most of the brake parts. I think alot of parts used in the 46 Cjs came from left over wartime parts or at least used the same tooling to produce the parts.

N3Njeff · **Posted:** Thu Sep 19, 2013 5:56 pm

Gotcha, Was viewing via I phone and new OS7. It sucks.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:45 pm

Sorry Rich,

Should have clarified and brought everyone up to speed on the past headaches.

1. Master Cylinder
The original one was pretty rusted, as well as the cap wasn't sealing quite right, so we decided just to swap it out completely. We found greater pressure, but not as much as we hoped.

2. Springs
We also ordered two fresh springs for the brake and clutch, assuming that would help. When we went to go remove the old brake pedal spring, we realized, there isn't any... :shock:

...maybe it's more of a psychological thing but, after installing the spring, we found the brakes to have a greater reaction and better response. So we felt more confident with driving it. That was pretty much the last thing we had to do to her before getting her registered.

This Sunday we hope to bring her back home for the duration of the good weather so we can start pulling apart the transmission and taking a better look. We also have a lead on a transmission from our own Jerry O'Neill who is graciously helping us out. Thanks alot Jerry!

DH82EH · **Posted:** Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:14 pm

Sounds good Chris.
I'd love to see some pics when you get the transmission out, or at least apart.

Really cool to see her with the Corsair.

Keep having fun!

Andy Scott

simon king · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:51 am

Warbird Kid wrote:

Another big task to undertake was the inventory of all the parts that came with the Jeep.

Bracket top left is the correct horn bracket - attached to LHS of firewall (LHS defined by sitting looking forward in driver's seat)

next two brackets along secure the sidestraps - attached with special shouldered bolts that are also used to secure the P-brackets (the forward mounts for canvas top frame)

eye bolt (look for the F-stamp) is one of two for side strap hooks - fitted to either side dashboard/front of door cutout - orientated horizontally for Fords and vertically for Willys

bracket to left of eyebolt is a petrol tank hold-down strap

rod bracket to right of eyebolt is for the axe handle - fitted on LH body side at an angle - forward of door cutout

the contact and wire looks to be a replacement horn wire - threaded down the steering column , out through a hole and then soldered to the contact ring - the outer tube has a spring contact plate

Those wheel rims are either MA/early slat grill MB or more likely later Hotchkiss/WOF single piece rims - most wartime jeeps had two piece split rims - good reproductions are available.

There are easy to follow, illustrated, instructions on how to rebuild the engine, gearbox and transfer case by the late John barton on the G503.com technical forum. well worth printing off a copy to have to hand.

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 11:57 am

Thanks for all the info! Got to finally give it a try and drive her around the museum compound. Great fun. Maybe we'll have her out next to the CF planes when they arrive next week!

simon king · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 12:10 pm

You're welcome

If you look on the right hand side of the bell housing, there may be a raised boss with a screwhole - this was for a p-clip to secure the handbrake cable and keep it out of the way of the driveshaft.

You appear to have a Willys chassis with a reproduction of a Ford body - there's no Script Ford on the rear panel - but no trailer socket either - although the L-shaped rib around the horn bracket screams early Ford.

Might be worthwhile spending some time on the Gee and scanning the Jeepdraw parts colour guide

Enjoy

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Fri Dec 13, 2013 10:26 am

Been awhile since August since I updated you guys so here it goes:

We've been detailing out the Jeep with the smaller details.

Canopy frame installed
Markings being applied as we speak
Created a front license plate cover to hide the modern plate when shes not in motion.
Nomenclature plates added (both sets)

Still trying to install the the Axe Handle Bracket. Hope to have the Shovel and Axe installed soon. Its more difficult to work on the Jeep since her Winter home is located at the Air Museum, 15 mins away from the house. Needless to say, our garage is a bit more convenient at times, but no heat. Were only able to get down to the shop two or three times a week so that makes it alot more difficult.

The biggest problem is that the transmission is starting to go. Second gear makes a consistent knocking sound. We've acquired a spare tranny that we think will work and hope to swap it out soon. Anyone know somebody highly knowledgeable and proficient at changing out a tranny on a Jeep that lives in Connecticut? And for that matter take a look at the motor?

Jerry O'Neill · **Posted:** Fri Dec 13, 2013 6:01 pm

Looking good Chris!!!
Can't wait to convoy next year!!!
Jerry

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Sat Dec 14, 2013 4:39 pm

You know it! Just have to solve the transmission problem ( as we see it right now) and we should be good for some great driving!

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Our 1942 MB Project "Jolly Rogers"

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