So knowing my limits, I conceded that my mechanical knowledge is limiting my M38Al's advancement back onto the road. My regular car mechanic has some quiet time during school spring break, and agreed to put the Jeep in the corner of the garage for time to time work. He has a short list of things (all mechanical) to work on.
I refilled the tires after a long winter, and with a long-shaft jack lifted it off the jackstands. Then I mounted the A-frame tow bar to the bumper. The family minivan, otherwise known as the prime mover, was backed down the driveway until the remnant snowbanks stopped me. Using the van as an anchor, with chain, tow straps, and an 8-yr old boy on the handwinch, the Jeep was slowly extricated from the Montreal Driveway Shelter. The boy was quite excited to help.
Out in the bright sunshine, several things happened. The 2 batteries held their charge perfectly over the winter. The accumulated old and new parts were sorted out into big plastic tubs. Humidity can accumulate in sealed parts bags left outside. The rust scale and tree leaves were vacuumed out. I replaced the windshield washer pump with one from the OMVA sale in Kanata 18mos ago. I diagnosed that the choke cable is verily uncooperative and permanently seized. Fortunately the fording handle and its cable are the same on the other side of the firewall. But the best thing was meeting a fellow who literally skipped across the front snowbank and introduced himself saying he had a Jeep like this too! And he lives in the neighbourhood!
For the collective wisdom - the fording crankcase vent lever on the fuel pump, is the normal operating location up or down? The damper on the air intake is wired off.
For Alex Blair - standby for "Jeff" to call wanting to buy ordnance parts and shop manuals for the M38A1. $$ $$ $$
For Clive - the sap is running!
