ORD 9 Fuel Tank Assy Question

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Sat Dec 02, 2017 11:54 pm

Hi Guys,

The ORD lists the fuel tank for the A1 as "Tank, fuel, Assy (M38a1)", but doesn't list what the components of the assembly are. Am I to assume the tank assembly included the cap, sending unit, filter and vent assembly? Or does the tank "assembly" refer simply to the tank itself?

thanks,
bob

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 7:54 am

Hello Bob,
I'd say the ends, wrapper, neck and baffle,
welded, along with the two mounting rings
installed.

A couple of parts diagrams call the tank as
such assembly.

Anything else would be separate parts.

Take care,

Post by **wesk** » Sun Dec 03, 2017 10:29 am

The norm for Army supply manuals is for an assembly listed by itself in the part # page with no indented parts listed below it is the only piece offered. In most cases when an assembly includes several of the attaching parts the drawing will show that as well. See example using Guard (Grill) Assy.

#1 - the Guard includes parts 2, 3, 8 & 13-19.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Mon Dec 04, 2017 6:35 pm

Thanks guys! I noticed they call the fuel tank sending unit an assembly as well..............still seems funny to me to call something an assembly when you cannot get the parts that make it up individually. But the world was a different place back in the 50's. Thanks again for the info!

regards,
bob

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 9:19 am

I bought a NOS M38 fuel tank 10 years ago and it had the fuel sender and pickup installed with a heavy wax paper cap on the fuel filler opening. The original parts tag on it listed as an assembly.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:27 pm

Hi Ryan,

That's interesting. I haven't looked in the ORD for the M38 to see how the tank is listed.........I just assume it's listed the same way it is in the ORD 9 for the A1. Reason I asked the question in the first place is I ran across someone selling a claimed NOS M38A1 fuel tank (for big bucks) and it had the sender and vent installed. It also had the top edges crushed or bent down as if the strap had been installed and tightened. I was trying to determine if he could be correct in calling it NOS with those parts installed or not......or if it was really just a clean take-out tank.

regards,
bob

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 4:37 pm

New old stock would indicate to me it had
never been used or installed.

Crushed edges suggest as you noted that it had been
installed at some point.

Not New Old Stock imho.

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:09 pm

I'm with you Brian.........I don't think it's truly NOS either. But I don't want to get into a conversation with the seller and come off sounding like one of those mil parts "experts" out there that doesn't really know his arse from his elbow. I run into those types at every meet I attend. The 3 points I wanted to make with the guy were that.......

An NOS tank wouldn't have the top of the tank bent where the strap was installed
An NOS tank wouldn't have the sender and vent installed
An NOS tank would have the little metal tabs that hold the fuel line and the sender wire bent in the shape of those things......they'd still be flat

I was pretty sure about the first and last, but didn't know if the second was true........hence this post. I think he thinks it's NOS because it's very clean inside with no lead residue or discoloration. So just trying to get my ducks in a row before making him an offer.........if I make him an offer.

thanks again,
bob

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Thu Dec 07, 2017 9:34 pm

If it's an original A1 gas tank in good shape it's rare.
Keep that in mind.

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Fri Dec 08, 2017 8:25 am

I agree with Brian.

If its original and clean inside then it is difficult to find.

People are loose with the term NOS - jeep dealers out there today will call something NOS if it was made yesterday under a government contract and it will fit the jeep, regardless if it does not look the same as an original NOS part.

With that said, I have had true NOS parts that sat in a crate out in the rain and were junk inside but looked great on the outside and did not function.

NOS is sometimes another way to up the price.