M998 HMMWV Rebuild/Repair Alexandria, VA

[Bulldogger]

Made small progress

Made some progress on two issues since last update.
The brake lights not wanting to come on was a bad switch, I've removed it and can't get a good reading for continuity. So will replace.
The headlights and other lights acting funny was due to the mounting bracket of the fuel gauge nudging against the dash and shorting out. I managed to see that on visual inspection.
I realized the mounting bracket must have always been quite close and decided to put a spacer in. Looking about me I settled on the insulator shown.
Does it count as OEM correct if I found the soda cap in the backseat compartment?
Bulldogger

 

[Bulldogger]

And a couple pics

 

[Bulldogger]

Replaced the brake light switch today. Now I have all lights functional!
Tip for anyone wanting lights to come on sooner or later during pedal travel: the mount is slotted. You can just loosen the two nuts holding the switch on and slide it to affect the turn on point. No need to bend levers or something else.
Next stop draining the transmission and other users of ATF then refill.
Bulldogger

 

[Bulldogger]

General diesel question: can a standard NA diesel burn home heating fuel oil?
I ask because I see plenty of people trying to give away old heating oil tanks with 20-200 gallons of oil in them around here. I know a multi fuel M35 would eat it up, but what about a GM 6.2L diesel?
If the price = free, I don't mind hauling a tank away and setting it up next to where I park Brunehilde.

Bulldogger

 

[Shoprat 19th Engr]

Welcome from Carson , Va.

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

And a couple pics
View attachment 621717View attachment 621718View attachment 621719

thats why all gauge retainers are plastic...the one in your pic is not OEM, it should be plastic like the others on the gauge cluster.

 

[Sisu]

Welcome from Michigan. The most frustrating and enjoyable parts of getting a HMMWV is rolling your sleeves up and digging into it. They're a hoot to drive. The green disease is no joke either. You've been warned. ha

 

[Aerialfred]

Welcome from Kentucky! Yes, the green disease is real just as Sisu has said. Now you will need an M1101 or M1102 trailer to pull behind your HMMWV! I have a couple for sale if you are interested in coming to Ky.

 

[85 USMC M998]

Welcome from Detroit.

 

[Bulldogger]

Thank-you all for the continued welcome and tips/comments.

I have had "neat old thing" disease for a few decades, beginning with a '66 Mustang coupe when I was 17. The green disease is just another infective strain to me!

A trailer sounds like fun, but since buying my first pickup truck 5 years ago, having medium/heavy transport capability only gets me into financial trouble. I'm sure you all understand.

I'd love an M35A2, but thankfully/regrettably I don't have a good place to park it. Suburbs are like that.

It's funny to me that now that I'm over 40 I've shifted from shiny muscle cars and looking/going fast to flat green and slow. It's just as much fun to me, I think because of the novelty of it and the enjoyment of working on heavy equipment that was built to be tough, repairable and dependable. In my mind, as long as one is attuned to preventive maintenance, one can enjoy pretty good reliability.

Bulldogger

 

[Aerialfred]

You are right about the speed thing. I have a 1969 Chevelle SS that I bought in 72. Love the car and I USED to drive very fast. Now, I too have gone over to the slow side of vehicles. Most are olive drab. Still enjoying life!

 

[Bulldogger]

Thought I'd put out an update. I haven't done as much work as I wanted to due to record-breaking rains in the DC area. We had 25 days of rain in the last 30, or some such. It meant a lot of hanging out inside or otherwise not working on the HMMWV. Yesterday the weather cleared and I blew off prior commitments to work outside. First on the list was replacing the spark plugs in my 2008 Silverado. It is happier now. I replace them once a year. My annual mileage isn't that high, but I do it annually anyway.

I've been running the M998 every few days to allow the new fuel to work its way through the system. There is some Lucas fuel system treatment in there along with something friend gave me called "Pro Trucker" additive. Before running the new fuel I drained the tank as noted and I also managed in the last month to replace the air filter and fuel filter and water strainer.
The engine is sounding better and has less variation in the idle. I think (want to believe) that she only needs some run time to work the kinks out. I'd rather not have to dive into the injectors, fuel pump or valve lash if I don't have to. Not afraid of it though.

Since last update I also received the new brake light switch and got it installed. Now she has all lights working. Glad for that.

The horn does not work. I finally remembered to thump the button and see what happened yesterday. I'll be troubleshooting that in the coming days. I also finished the steps to get her occasionally on the road with respect to DMV last week, so as soon as I get done with the lube order and other checks I will take her for a spin.

I ordered the nice LED license plate holder from Those Military Guys as well as some CARC substitute paint from Rapco this week. I look forward to freshening her paint and getting the desert tan doors to resemble the rest of the vehicle if the rain stays away and lets me work more.

I intend to tackle the ATF drain and fill this week, it's been waiting for the rain to break. I didn't feel like it yesterday since my plans include dropping the transmission pan and replacing the filter and gasket. Not a speedy job, but it looks easy to access under there so it should at least be straightforward.

So far so good!

Bulldogger

 

[Texas187]

Congrats dude man...tuns of fun yo...

 

[Super Warrantman]

Welcome from the badlands of South Florida...Last Confederate holdout...

Wow! A Spec 7! I haven't seen one of those since the 1970s. I made it to Spec 5 myself, but when I became eligible for my next promotion the Army made me a Staff Sergeant instead. I believe the Specialist ranks above E-4 had been eliminated by then.

To the OP: welcome from the Birthplace of Aviation, Dayton, OH.

 

[Karl kostman]

Congrats on the acquisition Bulldogger it looks like it will be a simple fun project! And welcome to the site!
Karl
Fargo ND

 

[Predator42]

Forgive me Bulldogger, I assume that the horn not working is not because you forgot to turn the switches to give the horn the power it needs to work correct? just checking. if the switches aren't turned, the horn is silent.

 

[Bulldogger]

Predator42, no offense taken. The engine was running and I think the service lights were on, but that's a ****ed good question. It was daylight and I don't turn the lights on always, so I will be sure to try that to be sure. I plan to go out with a multimeter with alligator clips and try every combination of switches and thumping the horn button to see if I get any reading. It could be lots of things at this point, but I will begin eliminating those one by one.
Thanks for the tip.
Bulldogger

 

[Bulldogger]

I tried the horn when she was running and all lights on, still no joy. I haven't had time to run an electrical test of the wires or horn itself as yet.
The last few days were taken up with changing the coolant. Also replaced all hoses.
So far, so good.
Bulldogger

 

[infidel got me]

Here you go. The fuel injector is where a spark plug is on a gas motor. It will have a metal fuel line going to the top of it, like where a plug wire would go. This is where you crack the line.

 

[Another Ahab]

I took delivery of my new to me 1987 M998 a week ago today and have already been fortunate to learn and be helped by your excellent site. Thank-you!

Here is a picture of my old gal. Her doors don't match, since GovPlanet sold her to me without. But thanks to The Bay I found some, NOS rears and gently used fronts (had to restitch the zippers a bit is all).

Alex

I like that the doors don't match, it gives the rig a working look.

And welcome, neighbor! Happy to meet you over coffee or a beer anytime if you like.