My 1953 Air Force M37 Build Blog

[refit1701]

Well, pics will come tonight but here's my progress:

Got the timing set and tried to get maximum vacuum, which currently is at 19 or so. I still have a hesitation in the carb, which may be the accel pump. I installed four new gauges (temp, oil, charge and fuel) and with the exception of the oil pressure gauge, they all work fine. The sender is for a 60psi gauge and doesn't read properly with the 120psi gauge I bought. These are those new repros you see advertised in Supply line. They look good but aren't quite exact. But they look better than the old gauges.

To the truck for a ride around the yard with my 8 year old daughter! She had a blast and so did I. THEN we bled the brake system. I have to adjust them next as they only give pedal after one pump.

There are seemingly a thousand little things that still have to be done, but I'm hoping to have the truck done early next year. It's been a six year project, and I am ready to be done.

[refit1701]

Pictures!!

Firstly, this was the truck a week ago when my daughter and I went for a ride in the yard for the first time.







These are those gauges you can buy (repros) out of Supply Line. They are very nice looking but not 100% like the real thing. The only issue I have is the oil pressure gauge is a 120 type and I need a 60psi gauge. So now I have all new units except I will probably have to use an old gauge for the oil, which won't match. Grrrr....

[refit1701]

I am trying to finish up the painting before the cold. wet weather sets in. Yesterday painted most of what's left to do, including the bottom of the fenders, and a bunch of other stuff.

This morning, I braved the possible rain to finish the tops of the fenders, grill, headlight guards, and the underside of the hood. I only have a handful of stuff left to paint. Well, not including the bed and windshield frame, which is at my buddies house being sandblasted and repaired.

[w30bob]

John,

The truck looks great! I'm wondering.......you said the gauges aren't 100% like the real thing.......what's different about them? I haven't run across the new repro gauges at the meets I went to this year and the ads don't mention details.

thanks,
bob

[refit1701]

The lettering isn't quite right, and the positioning is a little off in places. I'll try to take some photos oneday.

[m-37Bruce]

Looks really sweet John, I'm hustling as well, trying to beat the weather! My guages are totally different, civi jobs. From my fb album;

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

[refit1701]

Nice looking gauges, Bruce. It was suggested to me years ago to use modern units but I was looking for the original look. You have a nice clean installation and wiring! Good job!

[refit1701]

As I mentioned in the other thread, we struggled with the fenders most of the day. We did get the bumperettes on, with help from by 8 year old daughter, who is anxious to get to ride the roads in the truck. Here she is helping my friend tighten the bolts...she really worked as hard as she could!

[JimC]

That's a great photo. My 6 year old grandson helps me too.

[refit1701]

Sunday, I finished painting the hood, running boards, pintle and last splash shield for the fenders. We got the fenders and side panels installed!!

[T. Highway]

John,

The truck is coming together nicely, looking good.

Bert

[pwrwagonfire]

Your truck looks GREAT.

I will be following this thread for the updates. I always liked Strata blue M-37s

I finally have my truck on the road after 5 years...however it is far from finished. Good luck to you!

I have an old fuel gauge laying around I believe if you have any use for it...

[refit1701]

Was painting small items with rattlecan paint when...GASP...no more rattlecans! Oh the horror! So now I'll have to order more. I really don't enjoy getting the spray gun out for a bunch of small items. Did get the grill and headlight guards on but forgot to take a pic, I'll update later with one. I got the pintle mounted as well.


I changed the new taillights over to douglas connectors and got that all buttoned up:



I pulled out one of two fuel tanks I have had in storage for what seems like forever. I could not remember which was which so I guessed, and lugged one packed in a box to the shop. Got it unpacked and the top is ok but the bottom is pitted, so I am thinking of getting the other one.

The windshield frame is coming tomorrow, refurbished by a friend. I dig out the bag of parts for mounting it and have them soaking in lye. I did discover that the pivot bolts are in poor condition (packed away by the previous owner) so it's to Ebay I go to find two new ones. Each step in this journey requires an order from someone, whether it be John at Midwest or someone on the interwebs (usually John). I've already got headlight bolts and the vent door coming from John....I wish I had thought about those pivot bolts but it's too late now.

I'm making progress though!!

[refit1701]

Your truck looks GREAT.

I will be following this thread for the updates. I always liked Strata blue M-37s

I finally have my truck on the road after 5 years...however it is far from finished. Good luck to you!

I have an old fuel gauge laying around I believe if you have any use for it...

Thanks for the thumbs up! I have so many old gauges and other parts laying around that my shop will burst if I pack any more stuff in there. Thanks for the offer though!

[refit1701]

The grill and headlight guards are on now, as well as the lower fender pieces. I have the inner fender panels in place with a couple of bolts until the proper length ones come in next week. The windshield frame is back and in good shape, just needs another coat of paint. The pivot bolts are toast so it's off to order a set.

I had purchased the firewall insulation and I thought I'd just throw that on in between some other things....it resulted in THIS:



We had to practically take everything off of the dash to install them. Then the holes were not lined up on the passenger side and we had to remeasure and drill new ones in the insulation.

Once my new paint cans come in, there should be more progress.