65 Kaiser M35A2 project starts

[Gunfreak25]

Thank you to Will Wagner and Craig at the American Military Museum in South ark Monte Ca for selling this to me.

It’s a 65 non winch, runs and drives but needs some typical maintenance. I just brought her home today from LA to Yuma. Shout out to FASTNOVA for transporting promptly and reliably.

Truck has civilian hitch welded And bolted on as well as a civi trailer plug spliced in. Kinda ugly, will be cutting this all off. 54000 miles which is likely very accurate. This truck was driven!

Converted to SPIN ON oil filters and did its first oil change, got 7.5 gallons of very fuel diluted oil out of it. It stumbles a bit on start up and when returning to idle so I’m betting the FDC is kaput.

I bought 25 feet of DOT line in both sizes to bypass the FDC and begin replacing all fuel and eventually air lines.

Overall I’ve got my work cut out for me but I bought it as a running project. Brakes come first.
Will Wagner was kind enough to throw in a lot of spare stuff including a nice refurbed radiator and extra spare tire.

 

[m715mike]

Congrats on acquiring the new-to-you truck!

I’m looking forward to following your progress. Enjoy her!

 

[Gunfreak25]

I got my spin on oil filter kit from member tie6044 here. $200 shipped filters included. He was very prompt on communication and shipped right away. Told him I’d leave him some positive feedback, a little less expensive than Jatonkas (if I can save here and there I will) and still superb quality machine work.

 

[WillWagner]

Give it a good once or twice over. It has been sitting a bit, no real road miles, only trips around the block and compound....but you already know that! If you need help, you know how to reach me. Keep us up to date on what you do. It will be good to see it come back to life as a regular driver. I do miss mine!

 

[Gunfreak25]

I have lots of parts in the mail, between work and 2 kids (newborn) I don’t have a lot of deuce time. But I did finish all gearbox draining today. All fluids looked normal except the front axle which I retrieved pieces of pinion bearing cage from. I spoke with Gringeltaube and the diff is likely fine, just needs a pinion bearing kit and no need to pull center section. I’ll be putting manual hubs on the truck anyway to prevent future wear.

Remote master cylinder kit for added safety. Can be viewed from D side engine inspection door.

 

[Godspeed131]

That’s the same location I installed mine at. It already had the nut plates on the firewall that lined up perfectly, so i figured it was meant to be.

 

[Gunfreak25]

Been slow motion but some progress. Completed 2 rear wheel hub jobs. Cleaned the snot out of everything, wheel cylinders are all beyond salvage so 2 new ones went in. Gotta adjust brakes then put wheels back on.

Fuel filters were totally plugged with bio sludge. The final filter is collapsed and the canisters have over an inch of goop on the bottom, so the drains were useless. How this truck even idled is a testament to the durability of these motors.

Gasoline is removing the sludge. The tank has been treated with biocide, filter head was surprisingly clean but cleaned anyway. I’m replacing all lines with DOT line next.

 

[SCM35A2]

Good looking project!

 

[Gunfreak25]

So canisters have been deep cleaned, new o rings inside and out, 6 micron filters, and DOT line for all associated fuel lines this side of engine. Starts up real quick now but still stumbles when returning to idle (dips to 400 then recovers). I’m almost positive the fuel shutoff rod is gummy and that’s my next check because it runs perfectly otherwise and makes good power. After that I will check fuel delivery valve in hydraulic head.

My new wheel cylinders, brake lines and parking brake linings came in! At this point I have everything to get her back on the road safely. Just need time....

 

[Gunfreak25]

Is there a trick to getting the bottom brake adjusters done? When torquing the lock nut the eccentric adjuster spins with it. I’ve tried compensating by turning the adjuster cam back then torquing the lock nut but they turn as a pair. It’s all been greased and cleaned.

I’m thinking an actual wrench on the locknut so I can hold the inner adjuster where I want it. Been using a socket and that just ain’t working.

 

[DodgeTX]

Is there a trick to getting the bottom brake adjusters done? When torquing the lock nut the eccentric adjuster spins with it. I’ve tried compensating by turning the adjuster cam back then torquing the lock nut but they turn as a pair. It’s all been greased and cleaned.

I’m thinking an actual wrench on the locknut so I can hold the inner adjuster where I want it. Been using a socket and that just ain’t working.

Yes use two wrenches, one to hold it where you want it and one to tighten it down. That is how I did it on mine.

Love the updates and awesome truck! Subscribed!

 

[gringeltaube]

....... I’m thinking an actual wrench on the locknut so I can hold the inner adjuster where I want it.

Thinking is good for the brain..... but hey, it's all in the books already - if you wanted to save those grey cells for something trickier...

 

[Gunfreak25]

That made my day right there

 

[Gunfreak25]

Primary filter looks better than the others did. Looks like a reusable filter too! I found the fuel shutoff rod is a little sticky. I have an o ring set for the hydraulic head and fuel cutoff shaft. I noticed my oil feed lines under the IP are drippy.

I also want to throw new seals in the booster pump. At this point should I just pull the IP for all the above work? Seems alternative is jacking engine up and to passenger side which my hoist will accommodate

 

[Karl kostman]

Gunfreak you have a very nice looking project truck and the fact that it runs and drives makes it all that much better! I know you want to get all the stuff done so it pure driving, but patient and take your time one thing about these trucks and the reason they give so many years of enjoyment is because you can never run out of things to add, like NO WINCH? well we had better get on that! ( I did that) Congrats and one word of advice to you is get the truck fully road ready ie. SAFE and reliable. Dont go OVERBOARD in your restoration (again like I did) now I own one of the nicest Deuces in the Midwest and have way more into it in just hard costs than I will be able to sell it for, I am planning to sell it this year but still thinking about how much money I can afford to lose? HAVE fun we have all been where you are and your living the GOOD OLD DAYS right now! Congratulation!
karl

 

[Gunfreak25]

Took the next 4 days off work! Finished replacing all return lines and primary tank to filter main line this morning with new DOT nylon. New air filter (old was plugged solid) .

Took an hour to pull the hydraulic head. It’s a little dirty but not too terrible. Seals weren’t cracked but flat. The shutoff rod o ring was definitely causing the crankcase dilution.

My goal is to have all steel and rubber brake lines replaced by Monday night. After that I can resume hub servicing on the other wheels.

 

[WillWagner]

Very cool! You are going to turn that into a great DD! Were you able to find the twins of the wheel cylinders?

 

[Merc1973]

Wow. You're moving along fast! Takes me years to get stuff done on mine. I'm guessing this is not the first time you've done this?

 

[Gunfreak25]

This is my third deuce, but the only one I’ve ever been able to throw a little money at. Thanks Will, yes eriksmilitarysurplus had the exact wheel cylinders you sent me but in a newer packaging. They are not NOS but are good quality with all fittings included and the proper springs that are cup shaped on the ends.

 

[Gunfreak25]

Two broken springs on order from mvpartstore.