Texas M151A1 Resurrection

A place to post pics and descriptions of ongoing restoration projects

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attackpilot
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Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 13th, 2016, 6:32 pm

m3a1 wrote:So, give us a sitrep. Tell us all about your truck. Inquiring minds want to know!
So, at the behest of TJ... I'm starting my thread earlier than I'd planned. I wanted to actually get working on the rig before I started a build thread, but here goes!

Year of manufacture to follow on this M151A1. I don't have the full history on the vehicle yet, but I'm buying it from a fellow EMS helicopter pilot who needs to offload it for lack of time to tend to the project. He learned to drive on the rig, as it belonged to his father. The story goes, once upon a time this was a show vehicle that took part in parades and other such fanfare. It has a bank full of radios as well that were once mounted in the rear, but I haven't taken possession of yet. It also has a center pintle for a machine gun, which once held a cutaway mockup of an M3 .30 Cal. Based on that eclectic mess, it seems she had quite an identity crisis before I was the owner. As the years have gone by, it's been neglected, left to sit outside in the West Texas wind, rain, and (yes), snow. As a former Army Aviator from the 1st Cavalry Division, I wanted to do it justice and restore it true to it's heritage. Having recently found out that it has USMC lineage rather than Army, I'm not yet sure how I'll proceed with that knowledge, as I won't even wear MARPAT while hunting because it makes me feel like a poser. My original plan was to paint it as a faithful reproduction of a vehicle assigned to D/227 Gunship Company, 1st Cav in Vietnam. (I'm a GWOT vet, and the MUTT is before my time).

The rig has some serious rust issues as you can see below, and someone did an uber-redneck welding job of some strips of steel along the length of the center framerails. I have my work cut out for me. I don't yet have a photo of the data plate, so I'll add it to this thread later. Long story short, she's good from far, and far from good. Everything appears to be included with the rig (more or less), and I haven't yet deduced whether it was demilled or allowed to remain uncut. I'm hoping for the latter. She's a rolling chassis right now, and hasn't cranked in about two years or more.

Comments or help in proceeding are welcome! This by far isn't my first vehicle restoration or build, but I have zero experience with the M151.

Click pic below for more pics in IG post:

Image
Last edited by attackpilot on April 22nd, 2020, 10:38 am, edited 2 times in total.
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

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m3a1
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by m3a1 » October 13th, 2016, 6:45 pm

PM sent.

lpcoating
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by lpcoating » October 13th, 2016, 7:53 pm

Welcome to the group. Looks like we'll be talking!

Guy

www.m151bodypanels.com
M151 Body Panels - http://www.m151bodypanels.com/

'68 A1 - Under full resto

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 13th, 2016, 8:11 pm

Yes sir! I just found your website after stumbling on a video showcase of your work and facility on YouTube. Thank you for offering your products, and please don't stop anytime soon!
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

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rickf
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by rickf » October 13th, 2016, 9:48 pm

I remember seeing that one for sale somewhere and commenting on it due to the interesting carburetor setup on it. Be sure to get some good pictures of that carb setup since it is not original but may be of interest to a lot of people, myself included.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 13th, 2016, 10:22 pm

I will do that for sure. I have a feeling it might be part of the problem, but I have to do a full troubleshoot and PMCS on the entire engine/power pack. I plan to replace the carb with a NOS unit.
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

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rickf
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by rickf » October 14th, 2016, 10:57 am

I would be interested in the carb and manifold if you want to get rid of it. Assuming the manifold has been modified to fit the carb, if not then just the carb.
1964 M151A1
1984 M1008
1967 M416
04/1952 M100
12/1952 M100- Departed
AN/TSQ-114A Trailblazer- Gone

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 14th, 2016, 11:09 am

It's going to be quite a while before I get to that point, but I will definitely keep you in mind if I do get rid of it. I'm in the process of building a new house, so the project is on hold until then (and will be stop and go based on funds availability). I plan to remove everything from the body, and get it on my buddy's rotisserie to tackle the rust issues first. While the power pack is out, I'll post pictures and work on getting it running again... Will keep you posted!
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 16th, 2016, 2:59 pm

Updated pics:

Apparently I didn't look very closely at the dash plate the first few times, as it plainly shows a USMC serial number. Below you'll find pictures of the BUDD tag, as well as the dash and rear wheel well plate. They're definitely aged like originals, but have no idea if they're replacements or transplants due to the screws in lieu of rivets. Y'all out there are experts far beyond my knowledge on the topic, but I understand both screws and rivets have been used.

I've also included more detailed pictures of the carburetor setup for those interested.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Last edited by attackpilot on April 22nd, 2020, 10:42 am, edited 2 times in total.
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

Mark
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by Mark » October 16th, 2016, 3:22 pm

What do you know about the carburetor?I see a very different type
mark


1968 m274A5
1960 m151
1981 m151A2
1964 m416
1971 m416

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 16th, 2016, 3:23 pm

Nothing yet, except that it's likely a retrofit. I was hoping someone here would have an idea!
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

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muttguru
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by muttguru » October 16th, 2016, 4:13 pm

Joe......Thanks for posting the latest photos. I'm sure you will be happy to note that your dash dataplate, weight & dimension plate, along with your BUDD plate, are all original to this vehicle. You also now have your USMC hood number (USMC 329137) so when you restore it, that's the number to use.

A couple of other things to mention.
1. The carburettor is a Japanese Keihin carb..... not exactly like the one on my Honda DAX, but made by the same company. :D
2. Your W & D plate is a USMC version....it lists the "Brush Guard Screen - 8712343" as an add-on kit although your truck doesn't have this fitted....I've only seen one or two with the screen.
3. If you look at the engine block directly beneath your carb, you should see the engine dataplate riveted to the block. It, too, may be the original.....post a picture of it when you get time.
4. It looks like the original voltage regulator has been swapped out for the electronic version but that's no big problem.

All-in-all an excellent find.....I hope you decide to keep and restore it.
ken
Kind regards....
Ken

Always wanted - Details and pictures of M416 Trailer data plates & M151 data plates & body-tags for my research. Thanks!

Contact address - - muttguru@aol.com

Note for 2023..... Ken..."Less Stress - More Exercise!"

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 16th, 2016, 5:14 pm

Thanks, Ken! I really appreciate the prompt input!

Questions:

- Are the add-ons listed on the W&D Plate what the vehicle should have, or simply a list of things that COULD be installed?
- Is the carb something you've seen before, and would it pay to replace it with an original unit?
- What are the chances this rig was never demilled?

I definitely plan to keep and restore this vehicle. I hope my sons and I will be able to enjoy it (eventually) for many years to come.

Thanks again!
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

Hambone
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by Hambone » October 16th, 2016, 6:13 pm

I don't believe that carb ever ran on that jeep, wired on :roll: , no throttle cable and one severe vacuum leak. :shock: , easy fix with another carb. :D

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attackpilot
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Re: Texas M151A1 Resurrection

Unread post by attackpilot » October 16th, 2016, 7:42 pm

Obviously it won't run in it's current configuration... :?

I'm still waiting on confirmation from the previous owner when it last cranked, and if that engine was ever operable with that carb installed. Obviously parts are missing, but it's not clear if that was an unfinished repair/overhaul job. More details forthcoming in the next few weeks.
1966 Ford M151A1
1997 Jeep Cherokee XJ
2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Polar

RIP: 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Sold), 1993 Jeep Wrangler YJ (Rolled), 1987 Suzuki Samurai x3 (Sold, Rolled, Junked).

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