My 1944 Willys MB 390908

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   Hello all,

    Yesterday I picked up another project - a 1944 Willys MB S/N 390908

The good:
   Body is in decent shape - not show quality
   Has an original tow bar
   approx. 70% original as I can tell so far
   price was fair

The bad:
   Not the original motor - block casting somewhere around 1951-52
   Head is a military style head
   was converted to 12v - could be good, but not original
   it's been sitting inside a garage for the last 25 years - does run on an external gas source.
   4 rims are standard and one is a combat rim 
   3 new tires, 2 in need of replacement (spare and tire on combat rim)

Initial assessment:
   needs brake work - no brake pedal pressure
   valves need adjusting - tapping (hopefully adjustment will clear that issue!) - easy to adjust
   carb needs adjustment / rebuild
   tank was disconnected 25+ years ago and I can see rust inside

This morning I replaced the fan belt - easy - and checked a few of the fluids.  I would be interested on any advice on how to address the rust in the tank.  I will likely remove the tank later this morning so I can get a good view around the entire tank.  

Here is an initial picture I took yesterday.

I'm not trying to make this perfect at this point, but I will be working on checking all the major systems and getting it road worthy over the next 4-6 weeks (maybe sooner).  

Thanks,
Dave

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dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: My 1944 Willys MB 390908 Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 1:13pm
	Hello all, Yesterday I picked up another project - a 1944 Willys MB S/N 390908 The good: Body is in decent shape - not show quality Has an original tow bar approx. 70% original as I can tell so far price was fair The bad: Not the original motor - block casting somewhere around 1951-52 Head is a military style head was converted to 12v - could be good, but not original it's been sitting inside a garage for the last 25 years - does run on an external gas source. 4 rims are standard and one is a combat rim 3 new tires, 2 in need of replacement (spare and tire on combat rim) Initial assessment: needs brake work - no brake pedal pressure valves need adjusting - tapping (hopefully adjustment will clear that issue!) - easy to adjust carb needs adjustment / rebuild tank was disconnected 25+ years ago and I can see rust inside This morning I replaced the fan belt - easy - and checked a few of the fluids. I would be interested on any advice on how to address the rust in the tank. I will likely remove the tank later this morning so I can get a good view around the entire tank. Here is an initial picture I took yesterday. I'm not trying to make this perfect at this point, but I will be working on checking all the major systems and getting it road worthy over the next 4-6 weeks (maybe sooner). Thanks, Dave

russnj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Webmaster Joined: 20 July 2005 Location: W. Windsor, NJ Status: Offline Points: 3943	Post Options Post Reply Quote russnj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 1:55pm
	Looks like a real nice jeep! If the tank is not too bad you can have it renewed if not new repros are available.
	43 MB, 48 CJ2A, 50 CJ3A, 55 M38A1, 56 CJ5, 79 M151A2, M100 ,65 M416

Oilleaker1 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 06 Sep. 2011 Location: Black Hills, SD Status: Offline Points: 4412	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oilleaker1 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 2:11pm
	Looks real good from the front. MB tanks had a round inlet filter attached to the bottom where the pickup tube is originally. If you seal it, blast it, tumble grit in it to clean the rust, you most likely will have to eliminate that filter. They make fantastic reproduction tanks now. I put one in my GPW. Fits and works perfect. Expensive. 4-500.00 if I remember correctly. G503 may have advice better on this. John
	Green Disease, Jeeps, Old Iron!

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 2:35pm
	John, There is a pickup tube that is removable and it has a screen filter on the bottom. The tube has some rust on as well. I've has good results with evapo-rust in the past with small parts but I've not used on something as big as a tank. I've also researched a replacement tank since I made this post and they run about $500.00. I will also need a sending unit and like new fuel lines. Still doing research on this repair. Thanks, Dave

Katiedid Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 26 Oct. 2014 Location: NE Colorado Status: Offline Points: 480	Post Options Post Reply Quote Katiedid Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 3:26pm
	Good find! Your collection is growing.... The MB found a good home! Kate
	Katiedid 48 CJ2A Waltzing Matilda

47 deuce alpha Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 07 Aug. 2017 Location: Midland Texas Status: Offline Points: 656	Post Options Post Reply Quote 47 deuce alpha Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 4:00pm
	That looks like a great find Dave! Should be a good project to take care of any extra time and cash for awhile. M38mike had a post a couple of years ago about how to clean out a gas tank by tumbling. You might check it out. I haven't tried it on a gas tank but I have used it on a couple of jerry cans with good results. Keep us posted!
	1947 CJ2A 90419 1947 CJ2A 127735 1949 Ford 8N 1955 Kaiser Willys Pickup Half the distance takes you twice as long.

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 4:59pm
	I'll look for the tumbling thread - sounds like a good idea. Heading out to remove the tank now.

Craig1017 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 Dec. 2015 Location: Lewiston, ID Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote Craig1017 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 5:44pm
	Washing soda and a cheap battery charger will get rid of every spec of rust.

IRQVET Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 03 Sep. 2019 Location: Tallahassee, FL Status: Offline Points: 423	Post Options Post Reply Quote IRQVET Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 6:17pm
	What did you pick up that gem for? Awesome project!
	Dean Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran 49' CJ2A w/ GPA Engine #8924 67 CJ5 (Sold)

Steelyard Blues Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 09 Oct. 2017 Location: Reno, NV Status: Offline Points: 1500	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steelyard Blues Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 6:22pm
	Nice find. I understand that the tandem tow bars are rare. Saw one recently on eBay for about $1,000. https://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_tandem_hitch.php Phosphoric acid might be a good first step for your fuel tank. Micah
	1947 CJ2A 106327, Engine J109205, Tub 97077. Luzon Red https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/steelyard-blues_topic41024_post397981.html?KW=micah+movie#397981 1965 Johnson Furnace Company M416 #6-1577

Michaeltru Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Sponsor Member x 3 Joined: 22 Oct. 2012 Location: Arizona Status: Online Points: 988	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michaeltru Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 7:27pm
	Kits for restoring gas tanks are sold by POR-15, Eastwood, and Bill Hirsch, to name a few. Something to investigate I think Metalshaper has a video on YouTube also. Good luck
	Mike in AZ

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 8:51pm
	I spent a few hours in the garage working on the MB. I removed the fuel tank and main fuel line that connects from the tank to the fuel pump. The fuel line was in several pieces and was spliced together - this will need to be replaced for sure. The tank has seen several repairs in the past - image below. It appears some type of epoxy resin along with fiber cloth was used to patch the bottom of the tank. Also, there appears to be some sort of nest inside. Lastly, the fuel sending unit is shot - rust and seized. I also inspected and uninstalled the master cylinder - looks like that needs to be rebuilt / replaced. I will likely do all the brake lines, hoses, and brake cylinders too. That's work for another day. I have a spare - new master cylinder and fuel pump that will likely go in this jeep. The master cylinder is for an early cj2a so it should work fine. I will try an post some more pics later this evening. Thanks, Dave Edited by dluber - 23 Feb. 2020 at 10:22pm

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 10:16pm
	Here is another photo of the former repairs on the tank.

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 10:19pm
	Below are a few photos I took today around the MB.

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 10:21pm


TateC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 23 Feb. 2018 Location: SLC, Utah Status: Offline Points: 510	Post Options Post Reply Quote TateC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 Feb. 2020 at 10:50pm
	That is one clean MB, you did good. It is so much better to buy one that needs some work from sitting rather than fully restoring one.
	Tate Christensen 1941 Ford GP #9687 1943 Willys MB #263100 1944 Ford GPW #234613 1945 Willys CJ2A #10226

Tartone Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 20 Aug. 2018 Location: Virginia Status: Offline Points: 87	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tartone Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Feb. 2020 at 6:15pm
	Sweet project, looks to be in pretty decent shape.

dluber Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Member Joined: 24 May 2016 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 817	Post Options Post Reply Quote dluber Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 Feb. 2020 at 7:56pm
	I found the thread M38mike made on cleaning out his tank and I think I will give that a try.