Howard's M151A2 Restoration

A place to post pics and descriptions of ongoing restoration projects

Moderators: rickf, raymond, Mr. Recovery

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 10th, 2017, 3:39 am

The block is back from being reconditioned and now the assembly starts. Here are a few pictures of the beginning work and, hopefully, when this post is done I will be showing it driving!
Image
Image
Image
Image
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by rickf » August 10th, 2017, 9:50 am

Ah yes, rebuilding an engine that needs to be kept spotlessly clean, in the dirt. Brings back memories of my younger days, much younger. :lol: :lol: :lol: Be sure you keep that thing very clean. Any wind that blows, even scuffing your feet, can put a fine grit in there that will destroy the bearings when you start it. Tightly wrap it in a plastic bag when not working on it.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by m75 » August 10th, 2017, 11:57 am

I had the same thought until I read Rick's post. bad dreams, seeing such a nice block laid open to the dirt, leaves and pending bird crap in the background.
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 10th, 2017, 1:40 pm

Yeah, looks bad. Actually my mate, a mechanic, is fastidious and the work is being carried out indoors after that initial wash and dry. I even got into trouble putting a freshly laundered cotton sheet over it without properly shaking it to remove any fabric dust that may have been on it!

Work is slow as I can only get to his place once a week but I will post progress pictures in case anyone is interested. It has been 20 months since I started this and I am getting somewhat excited now that I can see the end approaching. My first drive will be something memorable!

Thanks for looking, and commenting.

Howard
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 10th, 2017, 11:47 pm

Some progress! The new oil pump - the original reason for the pull down which then revealed a range of issues leading to purchase of new pistons, rings, bearings, machining of block and shafts, etc!

Howard

Image
Image
Image
Image
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by rickf » August 11th, 2017, 10:53 am

Looking good, the water jacket area looks spotless. Perfect bearing clearance.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 23rd, 2017, 6:13 am

Some more progress today:

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 23rd, 2017, 6:20 am

And some work on suspension and brakes we completed previously.

Image
Image
Image
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by rickf » August 23rd, 2017, 8:43 am

Looks like you will be needing some new brake shoes, you have one good and one bad there. Motor is looking real good.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 29th, 2017, 5:16 am

Today's work
Image
More progress
Image
Seal on
Image
Flywheel on
Image
Clutch fitted
Image
Bell housing on
Image
Gearbox going on
Image
Image
Gearbox on
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 29th, 2017, 7:34 am

I'll have to check that out, thanks Rick.

Howard
rickf wrote:Looks like you will be needing some new brake shoes, you have one good and one bad there. Motor is looking real good.
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by rickf » August 29th, 2017, 11:28 am

You are taking a very big risk hanging that engine on end from that eye bolt on the back of the head. Those are famous for breaking off on even less of an angle just from a chain hooked to a hoist in the center. I never depend only on that eyebolt, I always have a second strap somewhere just in case.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

User avatar
m75
1st Sergeant
1st Sergeant
Posts: 499
Joined: April 12th, 2015, 2:01 pm
Location: Antelope Valley, CA

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by m75 » August 29th, 2017, 1:04 pm

There is that big lifting piece located at the front of the valve cover.... that has been the second point of contact when I have pulled M151 engine power packs. I agree with Rick, just one lift point is very risky, especially after watching all of your hard work!
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

User avatar
rickf
General
General
Posts: 19738
Joined: November 26th, 2007, 1:28 pm
Location: Pemberton, NJ.

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by rickf » August 29th, 2017, 1:11 pm

He is lifting from both but that rear one has been know to break and drop the rear of the of the trans on the floor, ask me how I know. That eye bolt is nothing more than a hardware store piece made for rope, nothing special about it. I usually run a ratchet strap from the lifting mechanism down to the e-brake drum in addition to the rear engine lifting eye. Call it insurance. Once you have one let go you never want it to happen again.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

kmam
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Posts: 524
Joined: June 6th, 2015, 7:39 am
Location: Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia

Re: Howard's M151A2 Restoration

Unread post by kmam » August 29th, 2017, 6:42 pm

Thanks for the tip guys - actually would never want to have it happen the first time! I would hate to see it come crashing down after all the work!

Howard
Howard

Daimler Ferret Mk 1/2
AM General M151A2
Austin Champ

Post Reply