Patrick Tipton

Greetings. Not familiar with the glue you reference. I have been exploring the glues used to retread big truck tires. I have not tried them, but as I understand it, they use a form of cyanoacrylate glues...."super glue". There are also some two part synthetic rubber - polymers- that might work. I am rebuilding a similar set of tracks - right now I am not installing the road pads but I am thinking about trying to glue rubber blocks to the conveyor belting I am using to join the tracks. Keep us posted!

Welcome @CanAmDBV42! Thanks for joining us. I think you will find a lot of like minded folk.

I have been spending a lot of time with tracks and the drive system of the Weasel. As tracks are probably the biggest issue in Weasel ownership, I am hoping to gather the collected wisdom on the drive system in this thread and then compile it into an article that will help the Weasel community and future owners as they wrestle with track issues. For what its worth, I love WW2 tech manuals. The manufacturers of WW2 vehicles and the War Department did an outstanding job supplying reference information to the motor pool back in WW2. Most of what we need to operate these machines today can be found in 3 or 4 manuals and a parts lists. That being said, there are areas that didn't need to be covered (ie refurb because new parts were available), tools that are no longer easily accessed (ie track tensioning gauge) and the fact that we now have to do maintenance that was never contemplated because the expected lifespan of the vehicles (measured in months in WW2), has so far exceeded design expectations. The topics I want to cover are as follows (please add if you see something missing). 1. The Weasel Track system - basic measurements, theory of operation, original track variations, track guides, 15" v 20", 55 grouser & 56 grouser, bands and cables 2. Alternate track systems - ie French, Consolidated/LAR style, other 3. Track tension 4. Steering and final drive adjustments 5. Sprockets, Drive Wheels and Hubs. 6. Track refurbishment One of the big problems with forums is that this type of information can build into a many page thread. Since the information is not "curated", the threads may have incorrect data etc. and it becomes a big chore for a new reader to parse through and figure out what is what, who knows what etc. My plan is to curate the thread and write an article - WIKI style - that the community can edit/amend over time as more information is collected. This thread will stay open, but eventually this first post will be amended to have a link to the article so someone can cut right to the information or peruse the thread to see how this all developed. This is a small exercise in collective knowledge. Let's see how we do. Thank you!

Mark - if you have a press....do it like this - exact same process......if you don't have a press...get one!🤣

Greetings all! I have 3 Weasel projects for sale (white T24 is sold to a forum member and the M29C in right of picture is a parts machine). I have a pretty good selection of parts too so I can provide a nearly complete project. All of these hulls are very restorable...but different levels of sheet metal work will be required. All are in better condition than my T24 was when I purchased it. I have several sets of tracks too....French and WW2 US original style. All need banding - I can help with that too. Reach out for more information.

Do you have grousers? If yes, Mike Howard is working on new bands - they were supposed to be ready this fall but I am guessing you are looking at summer 2022. I believe that the M7 snow tractor used the same tracks at the T15, just a different length. If you don't have grousers and track guides, I think I would make them out of c channel and conveyor belting. You could cast the track guides. Not original, but at least you could run it!

It should come off. The Woodruff key must be hanging up. I would take a dead blow/rubber mallet and tap in a bit...maybe with the screwdriver behind it so I don't create a bigger nightmare. See if you can get it to move in and start working it back and forth. As a last resort, I would use heat, but those are likely heat treated gears so it would really be last resort. FWIW....they have always come off with almost no force for me....so something is a little off here. The top end looks a little beat up, but nothing that can't be fixed. I am guessing you are going to need valves...might end up needing to put inserts in, which isn't a bad idea anyway. The engine in your Weasel is likely a post war champion - nothing wrong with that and if it runs, even better! If you want original though, this other engine is a 1943...and was made for the Weasel program....so.......

Great progress. I have been lazy on my springs...you have inspired me to disassemble them and do it right! Only one bushing on the high/low shift lever....it is a little loose, but the bracket that mounts to the inside hat channel provides a lot of support once installed.

Mark - you best be careful - Dave has a few of them. First Weasels then Kiowas! 😂

All of the 4 seat Weasels share the same carburetor: Carter Model BBR1-577S. David Yamulla @David Yamulla sells NOS rebuild kits (plus lots of other Weasel parts) - he is on Ebay or you can reach him at ye@epix.net...or here.

Congrats Mark: Plenty of work to restore it back to original, but it appears to have good bones and a good running gear and the hull looks pretty darn nice. 7. The modification to the track tensioner is to make up for slack because the tracks have stretched/drive wheels are worn so the tracks slip. Ultimately this will need fixing....but one thing at a time. 1. & 2 Apparently there were M29C's made without float tanks. Float tanks are cool, but they definitely make a Weasel much less maneuverable so most of those tanks were removed post war. You will be in good company with a float tankless M29C. 3. The seat situation is a little tough. Keep your eyes and ears open. Not sure what you can do as a substitute... 4. Hard to tell from the one picture of the rear. There is nothing hard to fabricate on the rear panel/area of a Weasel so I think you will be better off just making it. The opening for the exhaust/cooling looks intimidating to make, but you can do it pretty easily with a hammer form and a little patience. Otherwise, there is a strengthening gusset along the top - the rest is flat sheet metal. Are you planning to do a full restore or are you going to try and get it running and then fix parts? Patrick

Congrats Mark! Nice looking M29C. I am working on a set of French tracks - like you have - they are heavy but very robust. Looks like a great project. If you are up for it, I would encourage you to start a build/restoration thread and share what you are up to. We all learn! Patrick

@digitalbase02 There are two numbers: a "hull tag" located on the center bulkhead, on the right side of the vehicle, facing toward the passenger area. The second is a dataplate that is riveted to the same bulkhead immediately behind the driver seat. If the tags are gone, there are other changes that will help identify the Weasel....so post pictures.

There is no problem with rebanding French tracks. They are very similar to the LAR tracks that you can buy new for $14k. There is no reason to try and replicate the bands that the French made...using the motorcycle chain - modern conveyor belting will work great. The only "issue" is what to do, if anything, for road pads. The French pads were integral to the bands and go between two grousers. That is an approach, but one could also bolt road pads where the belting is attached to the grousers. I am about ready to order a set of bands....will share what I come up with. In the meantime, here are my two sets + of French tracks and some extra original style. The French tracks are heavy buggers.

I am picking up two sets of French tracks tomorrow. I am definitely rebuilding one set.....will have more for you after I get a little further along.

If they are the same as the M29, Yamulla has NOS ones!

Yes sir...there is a MWO for swapping the T90 for the T84....like with the jeeps, a better transmission. It requires a little mod to the transmission mount, but is a frequently seen modification. I have returned mine to the T84 configuration because I suffer from purist tendencies, but for a runner....a fine choice!

Greetings Martyn and welcome aboard! Thank you for the nice comments and glad you are enjoying the videos. Weasels are addicting! Good luck with your search/project and please start a thread with your efforts. We all learn! Regards, Patrick

Welcome aboard Clem and congratulations! Awesome looking machine. Look forward to seeing more pictures!

I spy a brand spanking new dash.....😍

Looking great! I must have blown my hull out 20 times before I painted it. I too put sand all over my fresh white paint. Really ticked me off. I sanded it away but there are still a few places that I need to go back and work on....I don't think there is any way to get all the sand out....

@M29C3284Looking good my friend. I did not know about the baking soda/neutralization trick. I hope I don't end up with rust through! I was under the impression that as long as you get the bright silver fluxed surface, you have removed all of the acid in the flux......, but I do like the extra protection idea. Keep up the good work! Patrick