M38 Late Firewall Question - Unused Hole Cover Plates

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Tue May 23, 2017 8:55 pm

My M38 has a late firewall. In Ryan Miller's M38 Reference Guide on page 141, the late firewall photo shows find number 25 is three unused holes for cables that are supposed to have covers on them when not used. I'm not using them so I need covers.

Looking at the ORD9 for Group 1805 on page 300, there are two different PLATE, DASH PANEL CABLE OPENING (used on vehicles after serial number 35387):

1 each, G740-7418148, WO-677712
1 each, G740-7697582, WO 674428

Are these the firewall hole covers? I could be way off track as there's only one of each part number and there are 3 holes (the same size). I haven't located any other likely candidates in the ORD9 and haven't been able to find any thing else searching, including dimensions.

Can anybody confirm the correct part numbers for these 3 hole cover plates on the firewall? Shape and dimensions for fabrication? Any source for NOS or otherwise?

As always, your advice is appreciated.

Post by **wesk** » Tue May 23, 2017 9:50 pm

Late firewall
Note the two heater hose holes 6 & 7 appear to be different sizes. The third hole that has two screw holes for a cover plate is 21. Have you measured the distance between the cover plate attach screw holes on all three?

Early firewall for reference.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed May 24, 2017 6:25 am

Early firewall, version 2.

So it looks like hole 8 in the below early photo became hole 21 in the later
photo ( our numbers I know). They just blanked the hole with that plate.
Wes, I'm assuming the later vehicles came with the heater holes drilled
and plated over. Heater was installed in the field as needed?

Ron, you can easily make those plates. I'm betting they are 18 gauge
but if you have 16 on the bench it would work. Someone here may be
able to trace theirs and get you a drawing. You can probably find them
but I'm guessing for what some folks want for them you can use that
money elsewhere.

Take care,

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed May 24, 2017 7:45 am

Wes,
Using your late model photo is some progress!

I haven't measured anything yet to confirm. While holes 6 and 7 are different sizes, the screw holes to fasten the covers look to be spaced the same which makes me think the same size cover works on both holes? Why make two different size covers when one size fits all? Your photo also gives me the shape of the cover. I was wondering if it was round, round with tabs for screws, or oval as your photo shows.

The third hole (#14 in your photo) also has screw hole spacing similar to the other two that makes me think one size cover works on all three holes. The only problem with my thinking is I can't get the ORD9 part numbers to line up with it.

I'd rather buy take-off's or NOS covers if I can find some. Brian, I agree that fabricating wouldn't be hard, but it's usually my last resort.

Thank you!

Post by **wesk** » Wed May 24, 2017 8:11 am

my thinking is I can't get the ORD9 part numbers to line up with it.

That happens sometimes in the parts manual for extremely minor importance parts or sub-assemblies. The only place you can be sure to properly ID them is on the Willys blue print for the firewall.

The third hole (#14 in your photo)

That would be the 4th hole for this discussion! I had already addressed 6, 7, & 21

This is a better comparison of all three firewalls: http://willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules/gall ... rsions.jpg Large file

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed May 24, 2017 8:31 am

Hi Wes,
The late model firewall photo in Ryan's M38 Reference Guide is a little confusing because it has two #25's pointing at two holes on the left side of the photo and one hole on the right. His #25's (three of them) correspond to hole #'s 6, 7, and 14 in your late model photo. I wasn't asking about your photo hole #21, although now I need to go back and look at that one too just to be sure, but I think it's used.

Thanks again, I'm pointed in the right direction.

Post by **wesk** » Wed May 24, 2017 8:53 am

It would be best to use the hole #'s we have in this post and ignore the numbers in Ryan's book.

My 21 is Ryan's 11. I try to offer up body hole indexes that show the actual use for each hole.

RonD2 · Post by **RonD2** » Wed May 24, 2017 9:20 am

10-4. I was just pointing out the source of my confusion, which is not uncommon.

radtech · Post by **radtech** » Wed May 24, 2017 12:57 pm

My M38 has an electrical connector mounted in one of those holes.

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Wed May 24, 2017 3:10 pm

Yup. Auxiliary Power Receptacle. Look at the early firewall,
or first firewall in Wes' last three pics. They all had the hole,
but Willys discontinued supplying the connector from the factory
at some point.

G740 · Post by **G740** » Wed May 24, 2017 4:46 pm

Midwest Military has new cover plates in stock for these locations.
John

Post by **wesk** » Wed May 24, 2017 4:48 pm

John, Which part number are your plates?