m38a1 heater

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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gianjeep
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m38a1 heater

Post by gianjeep » Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:45 am

Hello folks
i've found a blower heater for mutt,is very nice 24 v ,it cames with switch and pipe,
do you think is possible fit in my M38A1 ,or is better to sell the unit and buy a proper one?
also wich are the proper heater for the M38a1?
i remaind something like south wind..
regards Gian
ford gpw,6/1942
m38,5/1952
m38a1,7/1954
cj5 232 i six 4/1971


wardo74
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by wardo74 » Fri Nov 30, 2012 6:32 am

If you really want to do the heater and keep it military then I would try to find a descriptive manual for it online, that details the installation and removal. I'm not sure which one talks about the heater, but I'm sure the Army put one out there. I found a great TM 98014 manual for my M38a1 just by using Google, and was able to download all 390 pages via PDF for free! I have seen pictures and they look cool, but possibly complicated. Kaiserwillys.com has a newer heater (12V) that looks simple to install. Basically it's a squirrel cage with two vents. Looks nice, but it's $200 and 12 Volt.

Ward
First Love (& car): 1957 Willys CJ5
1999 graduate Vehicle Research Institute. Western Washington University
Current Project: 1952 M38A1 Ser # MD 26799

gianjeep
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by gianjeep » Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:33 pm

Tanks for fhe info i will have a look
ford gpw,6/1942
m38,5/1952
m38a1,7/1954
cj5 232 i six 4/1971

Joe Gopan
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Dec 02, 2012 3:01 pm

This is an M-38A1 Hot Water Heater installation from a GI Issue Kit. It consists of hoses, fittings wiring, switch, resistor, ductwork and the basic heater unit with 24Volt blower motor that is used on the 2-1/2 Ton and 5 Ton 6X6 trucks of the 50's-70's. What makes it unique to the M-38A1 are the brackets and ductwork.
The part you see under the dash is the diverter, the handle on it directs the heat thru the defroster or down to the floor.
The installation works fine with the canvas or arctic enclosure. The heater must be removed to service the distributor which is not all that bad. I installed the kit in my M-38A1 38 years ago.
This heater is much more efficient than the type installed in the 1955-1971 CJ-5.
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Last edited by Joe Gopan on Tue Feb 26, 2013 6:56 pm, edited 2 times in total.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
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COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Deadguyllc
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Deadguyllc » Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:22 pm

I have and installed one. It works quite a bit better than the civilian one I had installed in my CJ7, but it is a much more extensive install. Jon at Midwest Military has some for sale.
http://www.danhenk.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
1952 M38A1 frame off restoration. Overdrive, PTO winch, locker in front and rear, marine reinforced rear bumper, military issue turn signal upgrade and in cab heater.

gianjeep
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by gianjeep » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:49 pm

tanks guys for the info very usefull ,
regards Gian
ford gpw,6/1942
m38,5/1952
m38a1,7/1954
cj5 232 i six 4/1971

Cuz
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Cuz » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:19 pm

Copies of the manuals for both the hot water heater kit and the gas fired heater kit are free to download on our http://www.willysmjeeps.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; web site and forums . Our web site is devoted entirely to the post WWII Willys/Kaiser/Ford of Canada and Kaiser of Canada military jeeps built from 1950 thru 1972.
Cuz (AKA Wes K)
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 6? M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D & 47 T3-C

Joe Gopan
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:36 pm

The Army had warehouses full of these M-38A1Hot Water Heater Kits at one time. The heaters normally were not issued for installation unless the vehicles were being used in climates cold enough to require a heater. The majority of M-38A1 Jeeps did not get heaters. I used to do roving patrol at Ft Dix during the night in snowstorms at Ft Dix in M-38 and M-38A1 Jeeps with no heaters or side curtains.
The heater kits like the above will really keep you warm and toasty when combined with GI Issue insulated Enclosure kits.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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boykindennis
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by boykindennis » Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:56 am

Gian:

I do believe I have the majority of the components for this winterization kit hanging around my shop. I just finished getting all the parts laid out (just bought the jeep and spares this summer) so give me a couple weeks and once I get everything inventoried I'll figure out what it would cost to ship it to you. I was going to put them on eBay but it's not really a complete kit.

I 'think' I have the diverter, blower and case, and the big air hose. That leaves some water hoses and a switch, which should be easy. Gotta go dig............

Dennis
Dennis B. Boykin IV
MAJ, FA, US Army, Retired
Post Motor Officer
VFW Post 1177 Loudoun County
Leesburg, Virginia
(703) 346-4857

Joe Gopan
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:15 pm

Save your pennies and buy a Hot Water Heater Kit for your "A-1".
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Tue Mar 20, 2018 9:08 am

Lots of nice M-38A1 Heater stories here.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Sun Apr 26, 2020 5:43 am

Excellent Decals on my M-38A1 dash by Rick Larsen
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri May 01, 2020 2:56 pm

It does take a few minutes extra to adjust the points on a heater equipped M-38A1. I remove the fender and heater, it's easier than most think
While you're at it it is a good idea to remove the distributor and the 18831 Brass Plug and Lubricate the WO-108874 Wick at the base of the distributor.
Hope these reruns are not too boring, the hobby appears to be marching to a slower cadence, but there are still newcomers out there who are eager to learn.
Did you spot the narrow diamond plate clutch pedal? Anyone know the story on them? It was O.D. color when I bought it with some DRMO Jeep parts way back when. I like it, I believe the narrow pedal is explained in one of the ORD 8 or ORD 9's for the M-38 or M-38A1.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO

Joe Gopan
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Posts: 49841
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2008 12:37 pm
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Re: m38a1 heater

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 20, 2022 1:25 pm

The M-38A1 Hot Water really keeps you warm, more so than the 50's-60's CJ-5 with the factory heater.
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
7 MIL SPEC MAINTAINED MV'S
COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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