M2 Half Track

[m3a1]

Believe it or not, the original fuel tanks are constructed of rubber. They are self-dealing bladders and they are sort of triangular if you look at them on the short axis. I've only ever used one of the two and that was many years ago. In 2022, they will be...uh... 80 years old!

The other fellow in the area with a half track spent a lot of money and had stainless tanks made in the same shape and dimensions of the originals but, IMHO they were a wasted effort. He NEVER needed that capacity. All I will probably ever need to do is get through a parade. So, a boat tank or, if more fuel is needed, perhaps even a racing tank is the best bet.

The half track is set up for dual fuel tanks so I can always use two boat tanks if the need really arises.

I am absolutely disgusted with having fuel go bad in the tanks of my vehicles and I've seen what Seafoam apparently does to galvanized surfaces. Yes, a bold claim and no, I've not done a single scientific experiment but I do have a diesel tank that is mysteriously absent it's galvanized coating right up to the fuel line.

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I'm a single operator with many vehicles and they just don't get driven as frequently as they should so, I'm cutting my losses and going with a manageable sized fuel tank with a something other than a metal surface on the inside.

Cheers,
TJ

[rickf]

If you look in a boating supply book they make an unbelievable array of sizes and shapes of tanks in plastic. You might find something that fits in the space. If it is a hidden space then a couple portable 10-15 gallon boat tanks would be perfect. When done using it take them out and put the gas in the Suburban. Or the mower, you DO mow the grass at least once a year right? And apparently diesel fuel will do that to a galvanized tank. After I replaced the front tank in my F250 I found out that you are not supposed to use the galvanized gasoline tank for diesel fuel. Oop's, well it has run 200,000 miles on it so I guess it doesn't do any real harm.

[m3a1]

I dunno. Seems odd that the military would have spec-ed them out that way..

[Elvis Presley]

All the best on getting your Half-Track going again!

It's great to see the progress you've made!!

[m3a1]

Trying to get back to it. I really am. Suddenly, we're going to Disney World. Not that I'm complaining....

[halftracknut]

try avgas the stuff never goes bad....

[Surveyor]

I may have the wrong ones, but it looks like someone is selling NOS ones that were made by the French post war and there is another European company that makes reproductions but cost wise versus premade cans is a no brainer.

[m3a1]

There are starts and sudden stops, but the half track project continues....slowly.

Yesterday, I pasted the gaskets to the spacer that goes below the thermostat housing and lined up a few errant fasteners for it. That simple chunk of metal must weigh two pounds. The housing is even heavier.

There is a short section of hose that goes between the oil cooler and the thermostat housing. I'll have to cut one off of the big, bulk piece of hose I've rounded up here in town (courtesy of O-Reilly's Auto Parts). Unfortunately, I find that double-wire hose clamps are as rare as hen's teeth around here and I'm simply not going to spend the better part of a day looking for them in San Antonio, much less trying to GET to San Antonio. I will simply wait until they arrive from Amazon. At this point in time there is really no reason to rush putting it on only to have to take it off again to put the correct clamps on it. When I put that assembly on, it STAYS ON....and while my half track is about as far from Concours as one can get, I just cannot abide looking at modern clamps on that big ol' engine.

Just GETTING to San Antonio is a bloody nightmare... It's like being on the Trail of Tears. Construction projects have become so prolific around here our community has changed its motto to - "You can't get to there from here" and our schools have changed their official colors to - 'Safety Orange'. Members of the football team are all wearing hardhats and reflective vests at practice. Next week, city council will consider changing our community's name to Hotel California, because in THIS town, 'You can check out, but you can never leave'. TxDOT has clearly relinquished any oversight to what's going on.

We even have a small forest of signs at the South Exchange that read -

Did you top off your fuel?
Did you pack a lunch?
Get in the queue.
You'll be waiting (a bunch).
Burma Shave

Meanwhile, I'm thinking Amazon and UPS must be sharing some secret underground tunnel that connects our community to San Antonio because their drivers look like they've only been on the road for hours....rather than days.

Thankfully, if push comes to shove, the Gama Goat and I can always avoid roads altogether and I can overland out of here. That may mean having to drive over a few electric cars, through a few hedges and picket fences and backyard swimming pools but if this construction blockade continues, I think it may be worth causing a little property damage...

Be sure to wave if you see me driving by your back patio and don't bother calling out to me. I can't hear one darned thing with that big Jimmy howling away right behind my head.

Cheers,
TJ

[m3a1]

A NEW thermostat, and a NEW thermostat housing are now in place and firmly bolted down on my half track's engine, along with NEW connecting hoses which join the thermostat housing to the oil cooler, in one direction and to the radiator, in another.

I couldn't seem to locate the ever-elusive 2 1/8" double wire hose clamps so I just went ahead with what I had on hand.

There comes a point in time where one just has to cry, "Uncle" (which is NOT exactly the word I used, by the way) and just forge ahead.

But it's on there and it's beautiful and....yes, even the new sock filter made it's way into the oil filter housing!

Next up, an oil change!

Cheers,
TJ

[Mr. Recovery]

This seller on e-bay has them??

https://www.ebay.com/str/mikesobsoletea ... 7675.l2563

dan-2beers.jpg

[m3a1]

Ooh, NICE! A bit pricey, tho... but, THANK YOU!

Well, once everything is running hunky-dory I might just come back to those.

Cheers,
TJ