Mystery number stamped on the Transfer Case

[John-airadt]

Hello,


I come back with the mysterious number on my Transfer Case



In the beginning I believed that it was a Date Code 8 4 2

But nobody saw this type of stamping on a transfer case

I read on the Gee, that a jeeper, found ont his 44'GPW the 4 last digits of Registration Number on the body bolt washers

It's maybe the 3 last digits of RN to recognize the TF when they removed it for repair or to go to the workshop ?

The RN is more important that the S/N ?

Thank you for help

Regards

John

[Michael O.]

That would be an unlikely location to stamp the last 3 of the R/N. Its got to have another significance.

[Joe Gopan]

Maybe it is a W.O.F. mark.

[Bill M]

I have read that this is a date code on GPW Transfer cases, "GPW date code on the rear bearing cap"
I cannot remember where I read this, too many books I have this on mine and do not believe it is vehicle ID related.
If I find the reference I will post it here and on the other site where I posted my photos.
Sharp eyes John! Ford transfer case owners, check your numbers!

Bill.

[Chuck Lutz]

One completely assembled GPW t-case I have checked has just a large block "L" stamped on an angle in the same location about 4mm in height.

By the way, the adjusting SPRING on the bolt shown in the photo goes on the INSIDE of the flange, between it and the rear bearing cover, not on the outside.

[John-airadt]

OK thanks
It´s the 4th August 42 ?
Does it match with the engine # gpw67782 ? 24th sept 42?

For the WOF m'y transfer case has only gpw parts
How to recognize an early gpw transfer case?
What´s the marking on yours? Also 42?

[Chuck Lutz]

Note: Just checked another t-case....no markings visible there whatsoever.

There is an "EARLY" GPW case:

GPW Transfer Case EARLY Lg Opening.jpg (74.92 KiB) Viewed 2432 times

....and a "LATE" GPW case:

Transfer Case GPW-7705 Front LATE.jpg (191.58 KiB) Viewed 2432 times

I do not know when this change took place.

[John-airadt]

OK Chuck n Bill

For the late n early type
I cant verify it's too late n I can't remember
The Transfer Case is on the GPW
It's not possible to control with Mould number "F" 1 or 2 ?
For the spring position, I changed it in the last minute!! There is no Pic on the TM's to show this spring

Bill, your GPW is the 178721 n mine the 183110, they are between end n beginning of Contracts, n have commons points
Normally the GPW183110 is from the 10th Feb 1944 but my DOD is the 6th March 1944, fast one month later
As I understood, my GPW has been rejected from the line, because the engine was broken ??
And the assembly has been finish with rests old parts from last contract, Engine GPW67782, windshield frame with brass catches, SW manometers n speedometer, early Transfer Case .....
The tranny matches with the S/n, the marking is B1-44D (The 1st Feb 44)
Bill, do you know if the others parts of your GPW match with the S/N ?

[Bill M]

"GPW Transfers are date coded on the top surface of the rear bearing cap.
GPW transfer case rear covers have a raised bead around the gasket surface"
Lawrence Nabholtz. The Military jeep. Model MB GPW

T-18 Case Date Code GPW copy.jpg (171.16 KiB) Viewed 2408 times

John,
Possibly your GPW was not accepted because of any number of issues until the date you mention.
it is standard practice for Ford GPWs to have left the factory with engines and chassis numbers matching so I don't think GPW67782 is the original engine for your jeep.
Brass w/screen latches are early and were phased out before 1944. A mold number is not a reliable method of dating components.
Bill.

[John-airadt]

Thank you Bill

That means for mine B 4 2 = Feb 4th 1942?
And your L 3 2 = Dec 3rd 1942?

It's very early TF ???

It's maybe B for Feb and 4 for 1944
And for yours L for Dec and 3 for 1943
And 2 is an other code

Do you have a small idea what are the plant of your GPW ? Louisville ?

Do you find an other example on your book?

Thanks

[Bill M]

John wrote,
That means for mine B 4 2 = Feb 4th 1942?
And your L 3 2 = Dec 3rd 1942?

The US generally have the month day year so possibly
B 4 2 = April 2 1942
L 3 2 = March 2 1942

My GPW according to Tom W is a Louisville build.
Hope this helps
regards
Bill

[John-airadt]

Hi Bill
B4 2 means feb 4 1942 with your explanation not April

Feb 42 is very old, for a GPW

You didńt answer how are your oil, gas, température meter ?
Mine are from Stewart Warner n speedo SW with Lang needle
Regards
John

[Bill M]

Hi Bill
B4 2 means feb 4 1942 with your explanation not April

Feb 42 is very old, for a GPW

You didńt answer how are your oil, gas, température meter ?
Mine are from Stewart Warner n speedo SW with Lang needle
Regards
John

Hello John,
yes you are right with B4 2! My error. February 1942 is old and would be classed as very early GPW.
My gauges are SW oil, fuel and temperature gauge. F marked Amp meter which I am told is a different supplier. The speedo which I acquired later is Waltham short needle.
GPWs can be found with auto-Lite gauges also, specifically oil pressure gauge and temp gauge are the ones I have seen in period photos and has aslo been noted in Lawrence Nabholtz' book.
regards
Bill.

[John-airadt]

Hello Bill!

I found the 177615 DoD 1-25-44 fm Louisville here

http://jeepgpw.wifeo.com/ma-restauration.php

The Gauges are same, but nobody knows where is the GPW now

Did you try to calculate your DoD with your Body # 11333 ?

Do you know Mr Jim Gilmore ?
I tried to contact him but I not sure of the email ad

Thank you for help

Regards

[Chuck Lutz]

I inspected FIVE more rear bearing caps yesterday....all were "take-offs" none were new....four were blank, one had three characters stamped in this location....

One was either a capital "O" or a capital "D"....then a "4" and then a "3".

I am going to look at an NOS Ford transfer case still in-the-crate next weekend and will check that one also.