M817 Dump Truck Project Begins - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

dozer1 · 02-10-2011, 22:30

After several months of procrastinating on this, I finally have taken the bull by the horns as they say, and got going on this. See like nearly everyone else out there, I expect my GL purchase to need filters and fluids, maybe a tire or 2, some spark chasing , a bunch of seals and beaucoup brake work. Heck, the 3 deuces I bought from Camp Dodge didnt need nearly that much work.
Then my M817 came along. It requires a bit more attention then that. I wasn't prepared for my wonderful new hobby to get quite this involved but it has, so here is whats going on now. It had a stuck engine, so after trying the soaking the cylinders trick and having no luck, I opened it up and had a look inside. After making the big wrench that is in one of the pics, I was able to get a good hold on the crank and rock it back and forth to loosen it up. After just 2 or 3 revolutions, you could spin it with ease with the fan. Not trusting the condition of the cylinders and rings, I pulled the pistons. 3 of then had badly rusted rings that were stuck in the pistons. To make a long story short, it is getting rod bearings, sleaves, rings, heads checked over, injectors and IP checked over, fuel tanks sandblasted and lined, all fuel lines flushed to the best of my ability, radiator pressure checked and cleaned while I am at it and many other things I am sure.
There is good things about this truck as well. It is a Marine Corps truck which I just think is pretty cool, has singles already, lockers, only 2029 miles on it since this engine was installed in it and sadly left to sit for 25 years. Really appears to be overal low miles, just sat too long. I plan on making this quite a nice truck, but not all at once. This could be a 2 -3 year project. In the end it will roll on 6 Michelin 16.00x20's and have fresh paint which I want to be as close to the way its painted right now as possible. I have the tires on 2 pallets and I am not going to worry about the paint this year probably.

Armada · 02-11-2011, 07:24

Keep the pictures coming. Your 817 will be a first rate truck when you are finished!
You might have already done this, but replace the rubber fuel hose jumpers at the fuel transfer switch. Garuanteed they will leak after sitting so long.
I have a cargo cover kit new in the crate for your truck. If you are interested, pm me.

quarkz · 02-11-2011, 13:26

dozer1,
Nice pics and a job well done.
Are you a mechanic by trade, or just a very enthusiastic DIY hobbiest?
Jumping into a big diesel isn't exactly for the faint of heart.
The 817 could have become a static display / lawn ornament very quickly.
Either way,

jcappeljr · 02-11-2011, 17:59

Nice truck,you will love it when your finished,I love my 817,I run 53 " tires on mine.

dozer1 · 02-11-2011, 20:03

Armada, thanks for the good words and the tip on the jumper hoses. I went out and looked closely at them. All 6 jumpers have some cracking to them and will be ordered next week along with some other parts. Do you have a favorite 5 ton parts source?
Quarkz, Back in 87-88 I attended Motorcycle mechanics Institute in Orlando Fl. Now it is called UTI (motorcycle) I believe. Then worked at 2 bike shops for 2 years total. Just decided to go back home and farm after all. Been here ever since. Soo I do have some mechanical experience and also I am hiring a young votech trained diesel mechanic to help out for some of the job. It seems very straight forward to me but the most critical part will be setting the valves and injectors. We both will be reading that section in the TM a few times

Floridianson · 02-11-2011, 21:32

Since you knee deep in it here is a thought. You have the heads off take out the rear plug and run the duel fuel line. Good luck and happy greasing.

supermechanic · 02-11-2011, 23:14

From the pics you have posted, seems you have a good handle on this rebuild.
In my opinion, the 855 cummins, in all of of it's different configurations, is the most 'mechanic friendly' engine made.
They are easy to work on, and once set, will run for a very long time.
Nice project, keep the pics coming.

rlwm211 · 02-11-2011, 23:25

If you need the TMs for the 809 series they just got uploaded and are available at

www.jatonkam35s.com

The 915 series are there as well as the earlier 5 ton series

RL

dozer1 · 02-12-2011, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcappeljr

Nice truck,you will love it when your finished,I love my 817,I run 53 " tires on mine.

Do you have a bigger pic you could post of your 817? or a link to a thread where you may have posted it? Bet they are handy to have around as well as just cool.

Armada · 02-12-2011, 10:45

Quote:

Armada, thanks for the good words and the tip on the jumper hoses. I went out and looked closely at them. All 6 jumpers have some cracking to them and will be ordered next week along with some other parts. Do you have a favorite 5 ton parts source?

I get them from Memphis Equipment. They are reasonably priced. I will check for the p/n's. There are 2 p/n's, and it takes 3 of each.
Looking forward to more pics.