Operation: Ethel. Kendelrios M37 (re)build thread

[kendelrio]

OK all-
Im offshore and couldn't get pics, so my sweet lady went today (after working a 16 hour shift! ), cleared weeds away and took pics for me.
If you happen to see something cool/rare or interesting that jumps out at you, feel free to point it out. I am a TOTAL NOOB with this truck and have no idea what I have.


Also, any potential trouble spots please point out.

So... this will start my rebuild of my 1952 M37 "Ethel".



When I say covered in weeds....


But, here she is in all her glory....
















More to come.

 

[Ghostrider5211]

Can't wait to see the pictures!

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[kendelrio]

 

[kendelrio]

 

[NDT]

Truck was restored to include sandblast and paint at some point, then they left it in the weather for 20 years. Sad. Got some cowl rust, fixable. See the off center device behind the front grille? That is the selenium rectifier, part of the 100 amp charging system, which was installed on radio trucks. Looks like there are a few more trucks there as well. Plan on a complete fuel system rebuild, brake system rebuild. Engine should come to life as long as the valves are not stuck. Star on the hood is painted backwards. I like it and would have considered buying it if it had been offered to me.

 

[kendelrio]

Truck was restored to include sandblast and paint at some point, then they left it in the weather for 20 years. Sad. Got some cowl rust, fixable. See the off center device behind the front grille? That is the selenium rectifier, part of the 100 amp charging system, which was installed on radio trucks. Looks like there are a few more trucks there as well. Plan on a complete fuel system rebuild, brake system rebuild. Engine should come to life as long as the valves are not stuck. Star on the hood is painted backwards. I like it and would have considered buying it if it had been offered to me.

Yeah... I figured fuel and brake systems. That was a "for sure".

As far as the rectifier... if I'm not running high current situations, how stressed should I be about it?


And pardon my ignorance.... how can a star be backward?

Also, the box under the passenger dash... heater?

I'll post pics here of the recovery and rebuild...

 

[kendelrio]

The good news is I have all of the hardware and wood to rebuild the canvas bows and troop seats.... I'm going to replace all of the wood.

Need to find the hardware/design for the jump seat though.

 

[Ghostrider5211]

I'm a little confused. If you posted pictures I cannot see them.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

 

[kendelrio]

I'm a little confused. If you posted pictures I cannot see them.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

Strange. There are about 20-25. Maybe try the web version of the site?

 

[NDT]

Yeah... I figured fuel and brake systems. That was a "for sure".

As far as the rectifier... if I'm not running high current situations, how stressed should I be about it?


And pardon my ignorance.... how can a star be backward?

Also, the box under the passenger dash... heater?

I'll post pics here of the recovery and rebuild...

Chances are the 100 amp system has been replaced with the 25 amp system. The 100 amp system was not very reliable, especially the rectifier in the grille. The star is supposed to point forward. The heater under the dash is aftermarket.

Can't wait to see you fix it up like the 5 ton. This one will be more work though. Oh and the spare tire bracket tended to get removed by Uncle. That's why they are hard to come by.

 

[kendelrio]

Chances are the 100 amp system has been replaced with the 25 amp system. The 100 amp system was not very reliable, especially the rectifier in the grille. The star is supposed to point forward. The heater under the dash is aftermarket.

Can't wait to see you fix it up like the 5 ton. This one will be more work though. Oh and the spare tire bracket tended to get removed by Uncle. That's why they are hard to come by.

Ooohhh. Thank you.

It's gonna be a long haul project, but this is literally the truck that got me interested in green iron... I've waited my while life for this!

 

[G744]

Yes, a right proper truck. We need to see under the hood now.

Ken, I have some stock of M37 parts, let me know as you get into the rebuild.

DDG

 

[juanprado]

Since it has been plated before in La , should be easy to re register and should have a title to use in the transfer.

 

[kendelrio]

Since it has been plated before in La , should be easy to re register and should have a title to use in the transfer.

Yup. I'm gonna go ahead and register it like I did my deuce and 5 ton as a FHMV.

 

[kendelrio]

Yes, a right proper truck. We need to see under the hood now.

Ken, I have some stock of M37 parts, let me know as you get into the rebuild.

DDG

Under the hood will be next week when I get in and recover her.

As far as stock parts, I will DEFINITELY be in touch about that.

If you want, you can PM me a general accounting of what you have/prices or you can email me at kendelrio at Gmail


Thank you!

 

[Mullaney]

OK all-
Im offshore and couldn't get pics, so my sweet lady went today (after working a 16 hour shift! ), cleared weeds away and took pics for me.
If you happen to see something cool/rare or interesting that jumps out at you, feel free to point it out. I am a TOTAL NOOB with this truck and have no idea what I have.


Also, any potential trouble spots please point out.

So... this will start my rebuild of my 1952 M37 "Ethel".
View attachment 855201


When I say covered in weeds....
View attachment 855202

But, here she is in all her glory....
View attachment 855203

View attachment 855204

View attachment 855205

View attachment 855206

View attachment 855207

View attachment 855208

View attachment 855209

View attachment 855210

More to come.

.
Ken,

I can already see that truck in all its glory. The sheetmetal is in amazing condition considering that it has been out in the weather all that time. Already pretty, but she is going to be a beauty for sure...

 

[Mullaney]

Yeah... I figured fuel and brake systems. That was a "for sure".

As far as the rectifier... if I'm not running high current situations, how stressed should I be about it?


And pardon my ignorance.... how can a star be backward?

Also, the box under the passenger dash... heater?

I'll post pics here of the recovery and rebuild...

.
Ken,

I don't know how much history you can find on the truck, but the red rims might have made it a fire truck at some point in time - or it could have been a truck from RH Boulighy who had a repair facility over in Pensacola, Florida. The little heater box under the dash screams out saying it could have come from there. It was SOP to install those boxes in "our trucks" back when... Might not be, but when Bouligny went bust there were a bunch of them (M37's) in Florida. Most were hauled back to Charlotte to be sold and I don't have much factual info because I was already gone from there before all that happened.

Oh, and yes the point of the star on the hood always points in the direction of the enemy.

 

[kendelrio]

.
Ken,

I don't know how much history you can find on the truck, but the red rims might have made it a fire truck at some point in time - or it could have been a truck from RH Boulighy who had a repair facility over in Pensacola, Florida. The little heater box under the dash screams out saying it could have come from there. It was SOP to install those boxes in "our trucks" back when... Might not be, but when Bouligny went bust there were a bunch of them (M37's) in Florida. Most were hauled back to Charlotte to be sold and I don't have much factual info because I was already gone from there before all that happened.

Oh, and yes the point of the star on the hood always points in the direction of the enemy.

Very cool info! The guy I got her from rebuilt it with his father when he was 13 (he's mid 40s now) so I'm sure I'll be able to pick his brain more when I get home and find out more about the truck.

I've also downloaded TMs and @CARNAC vin list, so I'll be able to hunt that way too.

My biggest thing right now is I can't wait to get home and pressure wash and clean to see exactly what all is there!

 

[Mullaney]

Very cool info! The guy I got her from rebuilt it with his father when he was 13 (he's mid 40s now) so I'm sure I'll be able to pick his brain more when I get home and find out more about the truck.

I've also downloaded TMs and @CARNAC vin list, so I'll be able to hunt that way too.

My biggest thing right now is I can't wait to get home and pressure wash and clean to see exactly what all is there!

.
I bet so... It would be driving me nuts if I were in your position right now!

 

[kendelrio]

.
I bet so... It would be driving me nuts if I were in your position right now!