MA or MB Bell Housing?

1940 - 1941 BRC, MA, GP, Preproduction Prototypes. Knowledge Base NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.

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Michael O.
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MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Michael O. » Fri Dec 29, 2017 6:16 am

I have what appears to be an early bell housing. the casting date is 4-15. It does have the “horse shoe” in the casting on the right side (hard to make out with the paint but it’s there) and the part number is on the side step, not the ear at the top as found on MB bell housings. It has the two reenforcement ribs....does the MA bell housing only have one? As far as what Year this was cast in....to me, if it were cast in 1942 it would not have these particular early features? Please educate me if I’m incorrect. I guess it could probably and reasonably be installed in a Slat Grill MB and be considered correct. ...but the casting date seems far too early for a Slat Grill . Still has what appears to be original paint on it.
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Michael O.
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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Michael O. » Wed Jan 03, 2018 6:38 am

Any MA prototype experts out there?
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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Ladislav » Thu Jan 04, 2018 6:01 am

I think is MB one, just other foundry (the part number is on the side step). MA one has only one rib on the right top side (no one on left).
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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Michael O. » Thu Jan 04, 2018 12:43 pm

Early MB bell housings are highly sought after so I'm not disappointed.

I appreciate your help in identifying this Ladislav!

Best Wishes,
Michael
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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 04, 2018 1:03 pm

Parts manuals do not differentiate between MA/MB Clutch Housing. All use Part Number A-439 which is a low Willys G503 Part No. to start with.
Does MVPA have the drawing on file? Maybe there are notes.
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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Wayne Douglas » Mon Jan 15, 2018 5:12 pm

I would have thought that all early MB bell housings had the small hole on the RH side (starter motor side) for securing the emergency bake cable.
The MA did not have this small hole as the cable arrangement is on the other side, and the cable is in two parts not one long one.
The MA emergency brake handle is also on the LH side of the steering column not the RH side as in all MB's.
I cant see from the photos if there is a hole for the emergency brake cable securing clamp.
If no hole then MA

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Ladislav » Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:14 am

In the Master Parts list there is part A-5393 listed, clip 5/16" (hand brake cable conduit to bell housing, after engine No. 114550). Next, there are many MB/GPW jeeps having still in 1942 Transfer case cross member having holes for cable conduit clamp like MA system. Was the early MB brake cable not led on the LH like MA's although having dash handle RH ? This is possibly more question for Slat grill experts...

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Michael O. » Tue Jan 16, 2018 7:12 pm

There is no hole.

I know some early MB bell housings are of similar construction and do not have the hole either.
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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Ladislav » Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:19 pm

So I would say your Bell housing could be for engine 100.000-114.500 (Slat grill)??? Because after 114.500 the hand brake cable clamp (and the hole in bellhousing) was added?

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Wayne Douglas » Wed Jan 17, 2018 4:55 pm

As far as I know all MB' s had the hole on the RH side.
This was later changed to a raised pad as part of the bell housing casting and this also had the hole for the emergency brake cable clamp.
There is no other method of attaching the emergency brake cable once the system was swapped to the right.
This swap happened with the MB.
If an MB's had bell housings without the hole and clamp, then their emergency brake cable was swinging in the breeze between the handle and the emergency brake drum.

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Ladislav » Thu Jan 18, 2018 12:46 am

I agree with You guys, but why was the clip and 1/4” screw attached after engine No. 114550?

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by chasendeer » Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:50 am

Luc
Yes every one did come with a center hand brake, but so did the GPW. There are many GPW bell house the same way no boos and no threaded hole.
Jay

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Ladislav » Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:46 am

I would say your bell housing is for Slats, but who knows it 100%..?? :wink: In every case it looks for me to be Early time one.
I just know, so far my knowledge gut is, the MA bell bousing has no aleft rib.

But maybe there was a change as well, because I record also little change-development in MA shifting columns (1 little difference) . This column difference can have influence on the left rib. Maybe this coud be next topic for this form... :P

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Re: MA or MB Bell Housing?

Post by Michael O. » Wed Feb 07, 2018 7:36 am

chasendeer wrote:
Thu Jan 18, 2018 7:50 am
There are many GPW bell house the same way no boos and no threaded hole.
Jay
Please post a photo Jay!
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