odd swap?

magerdgr · Post by **magerdgr** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:01 pm

So my buddy just picked up a 1953 M38A1 the other day. I know, what does that have to do with this forum....well, it had a flat head 6 swapped in at some point in its life and it had no manufacturer stamped/cast into the block or head anywhere. We thought that was a bit odd, but we cleaned it up and wouldn't you know it, it was O.D. under all that dust. Well, upon further inspection, we found a depot re-build tag from 1954 on it from a base in Alaska (which one eludes me right now) that says its a Studebaker engine. It appears to be all stock, 6 volt, and it seems that the stock Stude bell housing is bolted to the jeeps T-90 trans. My question is, what would this motor have come out of, and where if anywhere would I find sizes, specs, etc. on it? What motor was in the US-6? What motor was in the Weasel?

Any help would be much appreciated. He needs a starter for it, and a diagram of how the oddball starter wireing runs, but other than that it should be good to go.

Thanks in advance,
Wade

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:07 pm

The Weasel had the Studebaker inline 6 Champion Motor in it.

I believe the US 6 used the Hercules JXD

Any pics?

Bill

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:12 pm

You just beat me there Weasel, I was about to announce to Paladin that the M29C Water Weasel had the 6 cyl 65 BHP Stude motor, and the 2.1/2 ton truck used the JDX 87 bhp unit.

magerdgr · Post by **magerdgr** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:20 pm

Cool, thanks! I'll see if I can get some pics for ya. Do you think that this could be something that they did on a base somewhere? I know anything is possible with the military, but it seems kind of odd unless they had a jeep with a bad motor, and a re-built one kicking around and got board? I sure would like to know the story of how it came to be in there. It bolts up really clean, and looks pretty good too. What trans did the weasel use? did it have a t-case as well?

Any info on how the oddball starter solonoid hooks up and works? it will spin if we hook up jumper cables to it, but won't engage the bendix? Is there a civvy model that will bolt up?

Thanks,
Wade

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:28 pm

I believe unofficially they could do whatever they wanted. An official rebuild would go with the correct motor. At the time they would have been in sufficient supply in the replacement system.

However, during those long cold winters in Alaska, who knows what lurks in the minds of "evil" men.

I would suggest converting it back. An original Weasel motor would be worth some bucks in the Weasel community.

Bill

magerdgr · Post by **magerdgr** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:38 pm

I think thats what he is gonna do. He has an extra F134 for it. What would be a fair ballpark price for a complete running weasel motor, and where would one go about selling it?

Thanks,
Wade

magerdgr · Post by **magerdgr** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:39 pm

also, just for curiosity, what are the torque specs on that beast?

Bill_Wolf · Post by **Bill_Wolf** » Wed May 21, 2008 4:29 pm

For specs...I will have to look that up in my Weasel TM's. I have a couple of Weasels and engines are always in demand. A former "OD" engine makes it all that much more desirable.

To sell it you can post it on G503 or the weasel site. Your biggest exposure and potential dollars would probably come from all of our favorite...ebay.

Serial number with the for sale post will increase your $$$ potential.

Good Luck!

Bill

magerdgr · Post by **magerdgr** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:19 pm

Great, where do I find the Serial # on that?

John V Cliche · Post by **John V Cliche** » Thu May 22, 2008 8:48 pm

Karoshi wrote: Paladin

It took me a minute..... Colin

John

Karoshi · Post by **Karoshi** » Fri May 23, 2008 1:32 am

Informative years John. HGWT and Gun Smoke, Laramie.