M274 Mule Information

[markmule56]

I am looking for some guidance on finding what the correct registration number, serial number and date of delivery should be for my Mule. For some reason the origianl data plates have been removed years ago and the former owner has no idea where they may be now.
The former owner also told me that he believes it is an M-274 which should make it a early 1958-1959 model year and it was converted from a 4 to a 2 cylinder engine which (I was told) should make it an M274-A3 model but other than that I am not sure of any additional information.
I am wondering where whould I look on the frame or any other place to help in determining what the correct year, serial number and hopefully the correct registration number or something close to what the numbers should be? Would also like to find (again if possible) if it was issued to the Army or Marine Corps.
Thank you Mark.

 

[NDT]

Unfortunate situation. On the side of the platform, is there any possibility that the registration number has been painted over, along with the service branch? You might have to do extremely careful sanding to find this. Typically people do not sandblast these like what happens with steel vehicles.

 

[markmule56]

Unfortunatally when the former owner was restoring the Mule he did not find any information. Thank you for the help and I will keep you posted on my progress. Mark.

 

[NDT]

Here is a list of US Army (not USMC) mules that remained in service in the 1980's. As you can see, backing into a year of MFG is dependent on getting the registration number from the platform by carefully sanding with a DA sander. List courtesy of member Carnac.

 

[glcaines]

I just purchased a Mule from an auction at a private museum. It has a platform without the access panel convert from 2 to 4-wheel steering. It has full-time 4-wheel steering without provision to change to 2-wheel steering. It is in excellent condition but hasn't been run in many years. The fuel tank was nasty and I had it cleaned and coated. It will start and run for 10 - 15 seconds and then floods, with fuel running of the carb intake. I have an NOS carb on the way. I have no idea if it is ex-USMC or ex-US Army. The data plates on the side look new and may have been replaced, but with the excellent condition of the rest of the Mule, the data plates may be original.

The data plates state:
Mfg. By Bailfield Industries
Mfg. Part No.: 8736756
USMC Registration: 325 363
Mfg. Serial Number: 11071
Date of Delivery: 7 - 1968

Since the serial number and registration numbers fall between some on the list of US Army mules still in service in the 1980s, I'm wondering if it is US Army. Did Mules have separate data lates for US Army and USMC or were they the same?

 

[markmule56]

Here is a list of US Army (not USMC) mules that remained in service in the 1980's. As you can see, backing into a year of MFG is dependent on getting the registration number from the platform by carefully sanding with a DA sander. List courtesy of member Carnac.
[/QUOTE
Thank you Gary.

 

[markmule56]

Unfortunate situation. On the side of the platform, is there any possibility that the registration number has been painted over, along with the service branch? You might have to do extremely careful sanding to find this. Typically people do not sandblast these like what happens with steel vehicles.

Thank you NDT.

 

[glcaines]

I've sanded down on other MVs and obtained the information. It appears that the original paint was stripped off when repainted by the museum that owned it. Unfortunately, the guy that was responsible for it has passed away. Has anyone ever seen a data plate on an A5 that didn't reference the USMC? Someone else told me that all A5 data plates referenced the USMC regardless of the branch of the military that received them. Sounded strange to me.

 

[nickd]

I just purchased a Mule from an auction at a private museum. It has a platform without the access panel convert from 2 to 4-wheel steering. It has full-time 4-wheel steering without provision to change to 2-wheel steering. It is in excellent condition but hasn't been run in many years. The fuel tank was nasty and I had it cleaned and coated. It will start and run for 10 - 15 seconds and then floods, with fuel running of the carb intake. I have an NOS carb on the way. I have no idea if it is ex-USMC or ex-US Army. The data plates on the side look new and may have been replaced, but with the excellent condition of the rest of the Mule, the data plates may be original.

The data plates state:
Mfg. By Bailfield Industries
Mfg. Part No.: 8736756
USMC Registration: 325 363
Mfg. Serial Number: 11071
Date of Delivery: 7 - 1968

Since the serial number and registration numbers fall between some on the list of US Army mules still in service in the 1980s, I'm wondering if it is US Army. Did Mules have separate data lates for US Army and USMC or were they the same?

 

[nickd]

I don’t think your flooding is a carb problem. The fuel pump supplies more fuel to the carburetor than it needs to run at idle. There is a thin fuel return line running from the top of the carburetor brass “t” fitting. If it is clogged that will cause your problem. Get on line to the military vehicles magazine and search for my article on mule tools. the article has directions to modify common wrenches to remove the fuel lines.
nick

 

[DavidB]

I had the same problem,removed both ends of small return line and blew it back out. Also replaced "T" fitting with new from Emery Mule supply.Runs sweet now.

 

[glcaines]

In my case it was definitely a carburetor problem. That line was clear. I purchased an NOS carburetor on Ebay and installed it today. The engine started right up and runs great. No more fuel pouring out of the carburetor. I still haven't driven it - that comes tomorrow. I do still have problems with the ignition switch. It is total junk. I have to wiggle the key around to make contact. I have a decent one on order that is supposed to be delivered Monday.

 

[glcaines]

Good news! The Mule runs and drive great. This is the first Mule I've driven with 4-wheel steer. At slow speeds, no problems. However, at high speed on the road, the Mule is really squirrelly while driving. The steering becomes super-sensitive. I don't know if this is common or not. The 2-wheel steer Mules I've driven in the past didn't behave like that. I do know the TM says 2-wheel steering is to be used always, unless there is a need for 4-wheel steer. In my case, there is no 2-wheel steer available. I purchased a bracket from John Emery that will give me 2-wheel steer, but I haven't installed it yet.