M718A1 restoration

[Hambone]

You are finding ALL the little bits and pieces aren't you?

It's been a long journey, wouldn't do it again, that is, trying to find all the original parts. The only thing I couldn't find was the attendant seat belts but I would buy a set if they popped up.

[rickf]

Are they special belts or standard like the fronts? Or the same as a different vehicle like the deuce?

[Hambone]

The black belt and buckle are original, the male buckle on the tan strap is original, think this style was used in other military applications.

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[Hambone]

Getting closer under the hood, waiting on my harness clips and need to finish up the fuel and vent lines, hope this thing runs after all this work.

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[Lou]

OMG, you have a show winner right there! Looks amazing!

[rickf]

Nope, radiator cap is on crooked. And it is missing one little item on the side of the engine. Might have a bit of trouble getting it to run without it.

[Hambone]

Harness clips came in today, not as big as I expected but they support the harness just fine. I ordered 10 off of Ebay for $2 ea., they sent me 25, so I have extras.

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[lpcoating]

Looks great Buddy.

[Horst]

superb job!

why didn't you paint vent and fuel lines? Or will you later?

[Hambone]

Looks great Buddy.

Thanks Guy, hard to believe it's been 2 1/2 years since I started this project, guess that's not as long as the 10 years it took to find the correct parts, it's been a fun 12 years though.

superb job!

why didn't you paint vent and fuel lines? Or will you later?

Horst, that's a good question, I've seen them both ways, painted and unpainted, I guess the reason I went with unpainted is when you buy a NOS from a vender, it's unpainted, unlike other parts, if I have issues with rust, I will paint them.

[Mark]

Didn't the military like it painted?

[rickf]

They were painted from the military because the engine was completely assembled before it was painted and then they just painted everything. Not exactly sure what they did on rebuilds, other than use the old lines as they were.

[Hambone]

Only thing I had left on the electrical was the horn button replacement, between the rusted button, a broke off plastic end bushing, dirt dobber and that darn button hold down ring that will never go back in like the old one, I managed to get it back in. I had to push the broke off bushing up through the steering column with a tig rod, that was really fun. Have a dreaded doctor appointment tomorrow, getting a MRI, having a few problems, my old doc has me scared, I will know more Friday.

[Horst]

so let's assume the old doc was just wrong. Keep us posted...

[rupert's]

great job, it's looking spectacular!