m-38 gas tank

[1948willyman]

Any one have any ideas on the m-38 gas tank
Does it just lay on rubber strips with one strap on top?
Trying to think of better way so moisture isnt trapped under and creating rust

[Brian]

I recently contacted John Bizal at Midwest Military about this and he recommended no strips between the tank and body. Apparently there is nothing for a barrier provided from Willys during production.

However, if the strips were thin enough to allow the tank strap and seat frame to fit I would think that you could put a few under the tank and it would not hurt anything. (my opinion only)

[kenperkins]

it's in your ord 9 pg 63. anti squeek, which is about the thickness of a web strap.
I put 3 strips of old windshield rubber under mine and chinched it down tight, makes it easier to hose out the jeep

[wesk]

This has been discussed several times. The rubber strips were there from Willys. A map was never produced on their layout. The important thing is to make sure they won't trap water. You can do this by making sure that, like a maze, there's always an exit point for the water. Since most of us are not concerned with the M38 tub floating in deep water it helps to drill a few water drain holes to compliment the rubber strip layout.

[donthedickens]

I found this on the CJ-3A Info page about fuel tank mounting.

http://www.cj3a.info/tech/gastank.html

[wesk]

That's a great reference Don. The only real differences are the some of the strip lengths primarily since the M38 tank is taller and the M38 does not list the small square piece under the rear tank hold down bracket.

48 Willyman: Your original post mentions retention with only one strap. Is your tank missing the rear hold down bracket?

[1948willyman]

Great you mentioned that Wesk
I did think that something was missing there
Will have to try and find one unless i took it off and have lost track of it
Should have took pictures of every thing before i dis-mantled it
Slowly on my way back together though
MANY THANKS TO ALL

[RICKG]

ORD9 PG 63 FIG 03-5 Shows Anti-squeak parts L, M, Q on the illustration.
ORD9 PG 80 GROUP 0306 Lists 6PC Anti squeak and their lengths
(including the pc between the holddown strap and tank).
The ORD9 info closely corresponds with the info included
in Don's reference.
I used the ORD9 info when doing mine.

[wesk]

CJV35 vs CJ2A/3A/3B vs M38 Fuel Tank Installation

Top fig and top half of list from Bob Westerman's workup.



Item-#Quan.--Description-----------------------------CJ-2A/3A-----CJ-3B
---------------------------------------------------------List (©1949)-List 1953)

1-----1-----Anti-Squeak, fuel tank (1 x 6-3/8 in.)----640682-------801559
23----1-----Anti-Squeak, fuel tank (1 x 9 in.) --------640171-------801560
22----3-----Anti-Squeak, fuel tank (1 x 18-11/16 in.)-640681------801561
stapled-1---Anti-Squeak, fuel tank (1 x 23-7/16 in.)-640170-------801562
to 2
11----1-----Anti-Squeak, fuel tank hold down, outer-640704-------640704
2------1----Strap, Early to 54-17328----------------------------------640692
-------------Strap, Late 54-17328 & up--------------------------------810400

For the M38 ORD 9 see below Fig 03-6 & 03-6
L---1---Anti-squeak, fuel tank (1" x 6 3/8" x 1/16")-----------------801559
Q--1---Anti-squeak, fuel tank (1" x 10 3/8")----------------649744
M--3---Anti-squeak, fuel tank (1" x 18 11/16" x 1/16")-------------801561
Stapled-1--Anti-squeak, fuel tank (The strap assy)-------------649734
tostrap F---(Strip not shown) (Fig 03-6)
Not----1----Anti-squeak, fuel tank (1 1/4"x 1 1/4" w/3/8"hole)-640704
Shown----- (Not in 55 Ord9 but is in 51 Ord9)





Note my 1949 Willys Master Parts List supersedes the first four CJ2A/3A part numbers to those shown for the CJ3B.

The M38 had two ORD 9's. Nov 1951 and Sep 1955. The illustrations are almost the same in both. The Part number 640704 is only shown in the 51 ORD 9 in section 306. I did find it listed in the Ordnance & Manufacturer's Part Number Index on page 371 of the 55 ORD 9.

[dauntless]

looking under the seat, it already seems that the top of the fuel pickup plate is almost hitting the bottom of the seat pan and the fuel line is touching the rib on the cross brace of the seat frame. I have my original tank and seat frames. So if I put some webbing under the tank, my seat frame will be hitting the pickup plate and the fuel line for sure will be pinched on the rib of the cross brace and the seat frame will not bolt up properly. Are you putting washers under the seat frame front legs to get clearance for the pickup plate and fuel line or are you notching the rib on the cross brace.? Thanks to all. Jerry

[wesk]

Jerry,
there are several hundred folks running thin rubber strips under their tanks just like Willys put there with no contact issues. I would suggest looking for other causes for your contact issue. Tub bent upwards, tank curved outwards from internal pressures, seat frame bent and etc. Also if you are eyeballing clearance without tightening hold down straps and rear tab that may be why you are seeing interference.

[WillysMotors]

The material was asphalt saturated felt, Flintcote 106, Armstrong Cork Co.,Sheathing Felt No.314-47

The 801559 was 6-3/8 x 1x1/16

The 801561 was 18-11/16x1x1/16

[baios]

talking about gas tank here is mine!!

while i was restoring my m38 a friend of mine that helps me with the restoration told me that my gas tank is from m38a1!!! showingsome fotos from others m38s i saw that the neck is taller than mine!!!!!

to be honest my gas cap hits on the side grip so it is difficult to close it

[wesk]

Scott,
I seriously doubt your tank came from an M38A1. The M38A1 tank is several gallons larger, extends down through the floor 6" or so and the filler neck is angled sharply towards the rear.


M38A1 tank


Comparison left to right: M38, M38A1, CJ5.


A pair of M38 tanks comparing an aftermarket MD Juan made tank to a stock tank.

Your tank needs thicker anti-squeak strips under it to get the filler pipe centered in the body side hole.