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Will Dodge

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Posts posted by Will Dodge

    Wiper Arms and Blades

    in Headquarters

    Posted

    What has anyone used for windshield wiper arms and blades? Or is there some hidden stock of originals? Anyone have any photos? Ideas? I will probable never need to use them but would like the look on my M29. 

    Track Building 101

    in Headquarters

    Posted

    Anyone find out why the 55 or 56 grousers are used? Does the tensioner work for both? The drive sprockets seem to be the same.

    As far as belt thickness? Anyone with experience have comments? 

    Would there be an interest in full rubber tracks? 

    Weasel production changes

    in Headquarters

    Posted

    On 4/2/2021 at 5:28 AM, M29C3284 said:

    I have gone through all the parts catalogs, TM's and articles about the weasel and compiled a list of all the production changes that I could find. The list is by no means a conclusive list of all the changes that happened during the weasel production run, so I would very much like people the chime in if you have anything to add or if you find any errors in my list. The one that are in red text are the ones that I'm unsure about and would like to have confirmed. 

    I hope this list will be useful to anybody restoring a weasel to factory specs.

     

    All production changes follow the ordnance serial number, found on the data plate behind the driver seat, and all changes came into effect on the serial number after the one stated in the list.

    807:

    • Oil seals instead of just gaskets are now installed on the drive sprocket shafts.

    1002:

    • The heater switch is no longer installed.
    • The ignition switch is changed to a three position switch.
    • The radiator is changed to one with large capacity.
    • The fan shroud is changed
    • The fuel filter is moved from the front coaming next to the fuel tank to in front of the radiator on the right hand side.
    • Grease fittings are installed for lubrication of the bogie wheel shafts.
    • Shims are now installed on the bogie wheel shafts to aid in setting bearing pre load.
    • The engine compartment divider panel is changed to a two piece design.
    • A canvas seal is installed around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel.
    • The radio terminal box changes location.
    • The radio antenna cable on the left side of the hull is no longer installed.
    • Name change from T24 to M29.

     2102:

    • Track deisgn is changed, 20" tracks are installed.
    • Track skirts are now installed.
    • The pintle hook is changed to none swiveling type.
    • An H plate is installed on the gear shift lever assembly.
    • A guide bracket is installed on the engine for the gear shift rods.
    • The compass is no longer installed.
    • The voltmeter is no longer installed.
    • The hand crank is no longer installed.
    • The demolition charge is no longer installed.
    • The drivers hand hold is no longer installed.
    • The cargo partition is no longer installed.
    • The installation of the bogie support arm is changed.
    • The bogie wheel yokes change design to being cast instead of shaped from sheet metal.
    • The extra rebound bumpers on the two middle traverse springs are no longer installed.
    • The design of the traverse springs is changed.
    • The idler wheel is changed to a split type design.
    • Oilers are installed on steering lever shafts.
    • Grease fittings are installed in the guide wheels.

    2197:

    • The transmission cover gets a breather hole.

    2365:

    • Change of the safety clip in the clutch.

    3102:

    • The hand crank hole is no longer installed.
    • A transmission service access panel is installed in the rear floor.
    • The search light is no longer installed.
    • A fixed headlight is now installed.
    • The battery is changed from one 12 Volt to two 6 Volt wired in series.
    • The location of the fire extinguisher is changed from the back to the front of the vehicle.
    • More grease fittings are installed in the bogies.
    • The brush guard design is changed, and can no longer be folded down.
    • The top back curtain is now a separate piece.

    3132: 

    • All weasels are now painted OD instead of camouflage white and black.
    • All canvas parts change colour from white to OD.

    3331:

    • The radio interference filter on the generator regulator is changed to a condenser.
    • The generator to regulator electrical harness is changed to a shielded type.

     3449:

    • The track tension springs are changed to a 7 leaves design.
    • An oil drain plug is now installed in the differential housing on the left side.

    3601:

    • The fuel pump is changed from a two valve type to a six valve type.
    • The air cleaner is change to the oil bath type.

    4102:

    • The guide wheel shafts are now replaceable and no longer welded to the guide wheel mounts.
    • The canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment panel change colour from white to OD.
    • Stretcher brackets are now installed.

    4477?:

    • Name change from M29 to M29C.
    • Flotation tanks are now installed.

    4935:

    • Lubrication free bushings are now installed in the clutch pedal shaft.

    5476:

    • Grease fittings are installed in the drive wheel hubs.

    8141:

    • Seat belts are no longer installed.

    9402:

    • The text ”LIFT HERE” is now painted next to the lifting holes.

    9502:

    • The mechanical fuel pump is no longer installed.
    • Electric fuel pump installed in the fuel tank is now installed.
    • A new tool to check the track tension, by the use of a torque wrench, is now introduced.

    10922:

    • A warning placard is added about the use of the clutch.

    11575:

    • An opening is now in cut the left hand radiator support panel to aid in air circulation.
    • The design of the canvas seal around the gear shift shafts in the engine compartment side panel is now changed to a metal and felt design.

    12325:

    • The differential drain plug is changed to magnetic type.

    13199:

    • The transmission drain plug is changed to a magnetic type.

    13560:

    • The design of the clutch control linkage is changed.
    • Drive wheel carrier brace rods are installed.
    • The fuel tank is changed from a metal tank to a self sealing type.
    • A ground wire is installed on the electric fuel pump.

    14229:

    • Reinforcement rings are now installed on the drive wheels.

    14682:

    • The light switch design is changed to the rotary type.
    • Blackout drive light is now installed.

    around. 14999: (Planned, but not executed)

    • Track tension spring design is changed from leaf spring to coil spring.

    15424:

    • Weasel production ends, 1945.08.29.

    around. 15562: (Planned, but not executed)

    • A scraper is installed on the drive wheel carrier to keep dirt and debris out of the drive wheels.

    ca. 15681: (Planned, but not executed)

    • A handbrake is installed.

    Was the handbrake one that locked around the drive line? 

    Rear View Mirror

    in Headquarters

    Posted

    4 hours ago, M29 said:

    I thought it was a Norwegian update. When I got my first weasel it came back to the USA direct from Europe  it had  the mirror on it plus license plate holder jeep tail light, light blug on back for towing trailer etc.  I bought it in New York from Sarafan in 1980. Had all the motor pool tags still on it when the weasel was stored before shipment back to USA. Never was in private hands before me.

    Dan

    Great info! 

    Weasel Markings

    in Headquarters

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Patrick Tipton said:

    Greetings Will:

    WW2 markings are a study in and of themselves.  There is no good book on WW2 marking in my opinion.  That being said, there are books that cover some areas better than others.

    To start, you need a copy of AR 850-5 - Army Regulations for WW2 vehicles and equipment.  You can find it to download for free or we sell a printed copy for $10 or so.  There are 9 changes throughout WW2.

    The T15/T24 were painted and marked distinctly from the factory presumably because they were part of a secret mission. These machines left the factory white with registration numbers on the bulkhead (and maybe the back panel??) @James Di Giovanni.  I have not seen period factory photos showing any registration numbers.

    Once the machine got standardized as the M29, the markings should have been applied per AR850 above.

    Marine Corps markings are a study themselves and there is very little information out there.  Brock Jolliffe has a Marine Corps M29C in Iwo camo...he is on this board so hopefully will chime in. 

    In both cases, period photos are your friend. 

     

    1 hour ago, Will Dodge said:

    Were the data plates the same? 

     

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