How To: Restoration of Ford M8 armoured car US Ordnance number 7373

[Lynn Eades]

It is probably not mentioned in the manual, because there will only be one thickness of gasket supplied. The Ford axles have a ).010" gasket.
If every thing is in order, then straight forward assembly of new side bearing cups into the two housings with new cones assembled to the carrier and the whole lot bolted together is "supposed" to give you the correct side bearing preload. If you follow through on the parts info. I think you will find a single gasket is supplied , one part number, no other options, and as with Ford, a little hard to find the info on how thick it is.
If you follow Andrews method it is a good double check.
You can "jerry rig" a set up to do your pinion preload. Give me a call if you want to, and I'll talk you through it.

[Big D]

Hi Lynn

Thanks for your reply. I can recall you and I talking about gaskets when you and I were looking at the axles when you were down here. I will check the manual out a bit further to see if it mentions gasket thickness. I think I read about your preload check method and I may yet give you a call!

[Big D]

Hi all,

Just a quick update to let you know that I am still alive and that I have started work on the M8 again after my hand surgery.

With the help of a local mechanic, we got the problem flange off the pinion shaft on one of the axles. As you can see, the pinion shaft needs a clean-up and the bearing cups and cones need replacing. The pinion shaft on the remaining axle looks good so I have left that in place, although it does need a new oil seal in the pinion shaft cover.

The axles are at the sandblasters now for priming and painting and then I will drop them off to the truck mechanic and get him to reassemble them. I have new bearing cups and cones for the differential assembly for both axles, new inner axle seals and new bearing cups and cones for the pinion shaft for that one axle, so will get them to reassemble everything with the new parts, and set up the preload and sideload etc.

I did some more work on the front axle and got that into place on the springs. It seemed to take a hell of a long time as my right hand is still not right after surgery. I had to battle away with jacks and cranes to get the axle in place and located on the pin on the springs. I struggle to hold a beer bottle tight enough in my right hand to unscrew the cap, which is a worry. I guess it will come right given some time. Anyway, the front axle is now in place and located on the front springs. The nuts and bolts need some touch up paint now to tidy everything up now that everything is locked down.

I’ve attached some pictures of the 37mm breech block I picked up (thanks DG). It should clean up nicely.

Does anyone have any pictures of the taillight wiring connections? I note there is one plug off the wiring harness in the rear of the hull which goes into the conduit fixed into the hull for the taillights. From what can see, this then splits into two connectors within the taillight mount for the taillight bulbs but I’m not sure what sort of connectors should be here to join the cables up. The manuals are unclear on this. Any help would be appreciated.

That is all.……

[Big D]

More photos.

[James P]

Great new pics, it is always a treat to see the work invested in a restoration and this one is right up there for doing it right and accurate.

[Big D]

Thanks James P.

Just a quick update this time. I have been tied up with a few other projects so I haven’t had a chance to do a lot on the M8. I’ve still progressed a few things though and the search and finding of parts I need goes on.

I dropped the freshly painted axles at the truck service centre along with the diffs, bearings and seals etc. I had completely disassembled one of the differentials and once I had cleaned everything up, it all looked not too bad. The crown wheel has a bit of pitting on it but it will be fine for this old girl.

I did note that the differential carrier housing had a very fine crack in the casting. I don’t think it would have happened during the disassembly and I suspect it has been there for a number of years. I will get the lads at Action Engineering to repair the crack before we reassemble that diff.

In the meantime, I picked up a few bits and pieces: M1A1 A/T mine, TL-122A flashlights, gear shift rod bronze bearing, DM-34D dynamotor, tow shackle, and D40733 Cradle and Pintle assembly for the gun ring. The pintle for this cradle though, should have the long pin so I am now on the lookout for that.

[Big D]

More photos.