Radiator seal

[Cacti_Ken]

I have this kit made from uphostery material. Is this the best that is available. Seems as I recall the original was thicker and color was black and was stiffer.

[wesk]

That looks like the standard felt material. Your old stuff was black with dirt, grease and oil and swollen from constant exposure to moisture and temp changes.

[davem201m38]

Ken,
I got a genuine US MIL NOS packed kit. Date packed 1953, once out of the wrapping it looked just like your vertical insert in the picture. I'lll try and measure the thickness of the material today, if I can get near the jeep.
All the best,
Dave

[Cacti_Ken]

The color of of the material is actually lighter than what the photo depics because of the lighting. It is made up of different colored fibers. Over all color texture is beige. The package is not mil-spec.

[davem201m38]

Ok just measured it, the first chance I've had to get in the 20ft container I use to house the M38.

My NOS felt is about +/- 1mm 7.17mm thick which is very close to 1/3 on an inch. The packaging was serieously OVER THE TOP.

All the best,
Dave.

[davem201m38]

I've just found the original radiator felt material after doing some tidying up.

It appears to be about 0.31 inches or 8.02mm thick and so slightly thicker even after all those years in situ.

Colour is uniform grey, rather than the bluish/grey fibers of the replacemnet. On close scrutiny there are several different colours in the replacement.

In the original the fibres are far more uniform in thickness (diameter) and type seemingly made from one or two types of fibre as opposed to the replacement parts which seem to be several different types of fibre and have flecks of different colours.

Could it be that between production and 'spares issue' the suppiler/source was changed??,
All the best,
Dave.