M43 Resurrection

[Ghostdriver]

While O.P.I. Conga-Line Coral is a great color, it is a bit too orange to use to paint the cross. Not to mention that nail polish is the most expensive paint known to man. I wear gloves when I'm messing around with chemicals, and I have the extensive damage to my acrylic nails (like from setting a starter down on one) fixed every two weeks. I'm sure everyone will find that information very useful.

Here shortly, we will be pulling the manifold off the old engine for the sole purpose of retrieving the studs to use on the new one. Might actually be able to hit that starter button and have something happen in a week or so. There is a static display event at the end of this month for Homes for the Troops that is just up the road, and I'd really like to take it, even without it being painted up and pretty yet - I figured I could scotch tape little white pieces of paper with red crosses on the side of it, and everybody would get the idea.

 

[jets1959]

Ghostdriver used stainless steel bolts to put the intake and exhaust together. Maybe they will not freeze up as badly as the originals.

If you use stainless steel bolts or nuts make sure to use antiseize compound to prevent gaulling.

 

[Oldfart]

If you use stainless steel bolts or nuts make sure to use antiseize compound to prevent gaulling.

Ghostdriver did use antiseize. The intake manifold got the threads cleaned with a tap as well. She spent a while with some large bent picks cleaning the mud wasp or what ever kind of nest it was out of the intake. Amazing what happens to a part stored in the back of an M43 for 12 years. After the large deposits were removed the manifold got a nice water wash and blow dry.

 

[Oldfart]

Very nice - that tone of nail polish (and how does she keep them from getting marded up is beyond me) is almost the same color red as the CROSS - is she testing "tones" ?.

The purr of that engine is almost in sight.

Everyone caught the Krawler tires, flip flops and nail color, but I am surprised no one noticed the Yellow Python Air Hose.

 

[zout]

Ok now - I am a little slow I will admit - so not only do we stand by in suspensce and watch the build - NOW to have to look for the little hidden items like charades - I like that idea. OleFart and GD are messing with us now.

I think its all on purpose. Spends the whole morning setting up the photo shoot - going around aligning items in the shop just to see who will catch what

 

[doinworkinvans]

did you find that bracket i think i have one

 

[Oldfart]

did you find that bracket i think i have one

Thanks. It turns out I had found a pair some 12 years ago that I forgot about. I had purchased them and then stashed them along with some other treasures in the back of the M43. Brand new and still in the box.

 

[Oldfart]

Ok now - I am a little slow I will admit - so not only do we stand by in suspensce and watch the build - NOW to have to look for the little hidden items like charades - I like that idea. OleFart and GD are messing with us now.

I think its all on purpose. Spends the whole morning setting up the photo shoot - going around aligning items in the shop just to see who will catch what

I confess that I have done that and no one noticed, but the python hose is another matter. It shows up in the musical slide show. Let me see if I can find the set up photo as well as the python hose.

 

[Oldfart]

Todays photos. Manifold bolted on late in the day while it was cooler. Ghostdriver had to rob a few parts (manifold stud and some manifold locking nuts) off of some of our parts stuff. We left part of one of the studs in the old engine block.

 

[Oldfart]

more photos

 

[jets1959]

Looking good, but maybe I missed something but I don't get what is going on in pic four in the first set with the pliers. Keep up the great work!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Oldfart]

Ghostdirver is using pliers to hold the studs while she runs a die to clean the threads.

 

[jets1959]

Thanks, I just could not quite make it out. Good idea to chase the treads. Your both doing an excellent job for yourselves and the next person who has too disassemble this engine and truck. WAtch this restoration closely. My next project may be an ambulance, but probably a M1010 for spare part purposes.

 

[1943ht]

Ghostdriver outstanding !!! I see we are at about the same place on the rebuild .. this is my 1st M37 and I am having a ball putting it together. I too make use of the tap and die set to clean up before attaching goodies.. saves lots of headaches

Looking forward to more progress reports and pics.

 

[Ghostdriver]

Dad is guiding me well, and is patiently watching me do things he could do one-handed and blindfolded. And answering all my dumb questions, like "Do the manifold gaskets get sealant too?" "No, they already have sticky stuff in them." He is also a stickler for taking the time to do things right - even if it means redoing something you just did. Saves a lot of trouble down the road (or not down the road, if you really screwed up).

I didn't throw the broken stud on the shop floor in a fit of temper, my brother did. But I would have, if I had been there. They did me a favor and took them out when I was at work. New manifolds went on a lot easier than the old ones came off, and I got to wander around in the boneyard looking for parts. Took two parts trucks to get a couple of studs and nuts (because we wanted the right locking nuts).

It must be really hard for my brother and dad to watch me plod through this thing, but they are respecting my wish to do as much of the work as I can myself. I'm stubborn that way. Gonna have to really haul hiney in the next couple of days - the Homes for the Troops display is this coming Saturday.

 

[aggopian]

I had a sign in my shop that read " Why is there never enough time to do it right but ALWAYS enough time to do it over?"

Take your time, double and triple check everything and if you're not sure check it again.

Nice build and good luck!

 

[Oldfart]

July 26 progress with engine reassemble. Carb and vent lines. Ghostdriver got a visit from her brother who just had to twist a couple of bolts on the thermostat by-pass. She had a near disaster that wound up only bruising her shirt. Discovered more cracked brass fittings that had to be replaced. Someone had way too much gorilla when they put the civilian manifold on the military engine AND they left some of the nuts off the studs.

 

[Oldfart]

7/26 more photos

 

[Ghostdriver]

Got the whole carb assembly transferred to the new engine, reattached almost all of the fuel and other supply lines. Checked the old engine to make sure all the necessary bits were off, and then hauled it out to the "parts" M43 (which I am convinced is a builder - it's all there!).

Got some help from my brother - I don't know how he has managed to leave it alone for so long. I "allowed" him to put the water pump elbow and hoses on. Went to the parts store and bought brake fluid today - we're that close. I have noticed that having little chick fingers and acrylic nails offers some advantages - I am really really good at starting nuts and bolts, particularly in zero-clearance situations.

However, I have not managed to master operating a socket or a shirt, as I snapped a socket onto my shirt. Bro made sure that was posted on FB immediately. If you're going to be an idiot, try not to do it around a sibling with a smart phone.

 

[jets1959]

Lucky it was only the shirt!!!!!!! Siblings are so good at helping each other out!!!!!!!!!!