M38A1 - Sealant on floor pans?

Madriver1968 · Post by **Madriver1968** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:28 am

Howdy all,

Happy New Year! I have a quick question about M38A1 floor pans and access panels. Was there any sealant used on M38A1 bolt-on floor pans to keep water and/or dirt out of the driver's compartment? I'm reinstalling my floor pans after painting, and while they bolt down nice and tight, I was curious if there were seals or any kind of sealant applied.

Thanks!

MarkR1951M38 · Post by **MarkR1951M38** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:56 am

I used caulk cord found at Lowes or any hardware store.

Like this stuff...

https://www.lowes.com/pd/M-D-90-ft-Gray ... ip/1096101

You can pull off a single strip, press it on a panel, then bolt down the panels.

Post by **wesk** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:34 pm

No. If you seal them it will stop water from draining and in the long run cause rust on the inside.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Fri Jan 04, 2019 1:51 pm

Wes, the SNL calls for the sealant on the floor panels, The water is supposed to run out of the drains at the sides of the floors...

PN - 7348567
SEAL, strip type, 3/16 in diam bead x 80 ft lg (used
w/PLATES, G740-7395158, G740-7697523, and G740-
7697526 and COVERS, G740-7697422, and G740-
7697578)

Can be found on page 301 of the 1955 SNL

Hope this helps...

Post by **wesk** » Sat Jan 05, 2019 12:53 am

I am aware of those ORD 9 entries. But I still stand by my recommendation to not bother sealing them. Perhaps if you planned on fording the jeep or driving it at highway speeds in inclimate weather a lot but I would not seal them so gravity can do it's work & keep the stains and rust spots off the inside of my jeep.

Hal, You did notice the errors in that list of panels the sealant is used with? You did also notice that the two largest floor panels are not mentioned in that list.

(used
w/PLATES,
G740-7395158, Not listed in ORD 9. It may be a typo for 7375158 PTO shift lever plate.
G740-7697523, Eng Heater Cutout
G740-7697526 Steering column cutout
and COVERS,
G740-7697422, Tranny Cluster Gear. It may be a typo for 7697522 brake filler cover.
G740-7697578) Shifter rectangular cover

G740 · Post by **G740** » Sat Jan 05, 2019 7:20 am

Midwest Military has the sealant NOS available.
John

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Sat Jan 05, 2019 8:21 am

So, John where in your opinion does the sealant go... you have done more restorals than most. Just asking...

G740 · Post by **G740** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:26 am

Seals the main tunnel to body and the upper tunnel to body and to the main tunnel cover. It is a rope type plumbers putty material.
John

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:51 am

Eventually you will have to pull the floor pans to be able to pull the engine and trans. Then, it's a big advantage not to have them stuck together. Or to have to scrape off or clean up all the old goo to put them back in again. I didn't seal the pans in my M38 or M38A1.

OKCM38CDN · Post by **OKCM38CDN** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:25 pm

So this is a personal choice at this time, with one exception. If you were to do a Factory Restoration for judging I would say it needs to be there...

That is my opinion and FYI it comes off fairly easily especially after a few years as it dries out... Have it on my M-38 CDN...

That is all...

Post by **wesk** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:44 pm

If you were to do a Factory Restoration for judging I would say it needs to be there...

Only for the panels that are listed under that sealant.......!

Also a factory resto guy can always argue that we have no idea if that sealant is only listed on the Army logistics documents or is actually included in the Willys factory drawings for the tub assembly! Remember the ORD publications were entirely developed and maintained by the Army for the jeep after it was delivered.