Restoration of M151A2 from Portugal

[sirhc]

In February 2010 I visited Fernando in Portigal and purchased an M151A2 from him. It was one of the 'junk' ones hidden round the back of his enourmous shed. It looked pretty solid besides the floors, so I decided to spend the money I saved up for panels for my other Mutt on this one. I've not posted much on my rebuild, but I'll post up a few photos showing before and after.





I was lucky that I was able to find someone who was delivering a Jet Ski to Portugal and coming back empty. He loaded up the Mutt from Fernandos place and transported it back to England for me. The price was very good as his costs were already covered by the trip out there. The vehicle had been partially stripped, the grill, radiator, carb, alternator, distributor, top bows and some other parts were missing. The engine turned over so I bolted a carb and distributor on to see if it would run. It did, so I drove it in the garage and started to take it to bits.





Taking it to pieces did not take long, and within a couple of weeks it was ready for blasting.





When it came back from blasting I put some primer on it to stop it going rusty while I waited for the panels to arrive. Unfortunatley I was unable to buy a battery box floor from Jeep Panels Plus, I tried to order one in June but it wasn't untill December that one arrived from Denmark. I spent the summer working on some other projects instead.

[sirhc]

Of course this one had rust in all the usual places, but there was no rust at all on any of the frame rails. I am by no means an expert welder, but I think doing this project has improved my skills. Before doing this vehicle I'd not really welded anything before.







Whilst waiting for panels, I got on and rebuild the hubs with new bearings and seals, new brake cylinders and shoes.





I also stripped the engine down, replaced the cylinder head as one exhaust mount was broken, new flywheel as the teeth were stripped, new seals, gaskets etc... and some nice black engine enamel paint.



Eventually, about 2 months ago, the bodywork was complete and I could paint it and get on with assembly. I painted the underside first, so I could put some wheels on it and then turn it over to get on with the top side.

[sirhc]

I sealed the inside of the fuel tank using some POR15 stuff. There were a couple of pinholes where it had rusted from the outside in, in the bottom corners. I soldered these up first. The paint was stripped and it was repainted.



The worst job on the Mutt was the heater. The core was leaking, so I stripped it all down, blasted the parts and rebuilt with a new core. I also replaced all the hoses etc.



Very quickly it started to look like a vehicle again.



Soon it was time to install the engine, I bolted on the stripped, cleaned and painted gearbox.. this also had new seals.. and then stuck it back in the hole.





Fast forward past all the 100's of little jobs later, and I have a pretty much finished vehicle. Not many photos of the other jobs, as I was too busy trying to get it finished.











I am pleased with the way it's turned out. Still a few things to do, but it sould be on the road in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks to everyone who has helped out buy selling me parts and sending them over to the UK. This has cost me a small fortune, but I think I got carried away with ordering NOS parts!

Chris

[sirhc]

You can see my full album (220 photos) here: http://www.sirhc.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=25

[baios]

Amazing work over there!!!! Excellent in ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ralph Fuller]

GREAT WORK..I think of those few pictures, and how many hours and work it took to get it looking so well. Congratulations.

[Jay Mallari]

Excellent job Chris. Looking forward to see it in Beltring. Have you decided on the markings yet?

Jay

[toptiger]

Super job, thanks for sharing.

[ohiomgman]

Not bad! It is a beautiful thing...watching a true craftman's work progressing under a knowing hand. I never tire of it.

Good work indeed.

[Weasel M29c]

Very clean,I like it!

[sarmadq]

Simply superb. A job well done.

[Fil Bonica]

I am in total awe of the skills and execution of this an Frederics Mutt!
They would put the two that I totally restored to shame.
Top, if you ever get the interest or energy to publish another book these Mutts have to be included. All done by their owners with their own hands .
I have to compliment them.

Fil Bonica

[sirhc]

Thanks for the comments guys, I'll hopefully get some nice photos of it in the English countryside this summer!

Now that the Mutt is done, I can get back to working on these 2.......



Chris

[csmith]

Great Job Chris, thanks for sharing!

[toptiger]

Fil, I have two restorations ready to add to Mr Dibbles' for the next addition of the M-151 MUTT book, but wanted to include Frederic's first restore to it. As you know his computer with his photos were confiscated and have not been returned, so the next book is on hold. Perhaps I should use his current restoration as it is even better!
But I think if Chris wants I will include his work too as it is fabulous. pm me chris.
you can preview and order the first edition of
The M-151 MUTT, a Vietnam Jeep
A Total Teardown and Full Restoration
at
http://www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/1646321

before buying a copy google 'coupons blurb' as there are usually some good discounts available