M29 Posted March 11, 2020 Posted March 11, 2020 Hi Everyone I have the bladder style fuel tanks in both of my M29c weasels. Was the bladder tank add by the Norwegian Army? Both tanks have an electric fuel pump inside the tank. Has anyone rebuilt one of these pumps? The tanks are stenciled on the top mfg by Firestone Dan. Quote
Jesse Browning Posted March 11, 2020 Posted March 11, 2020 I rebuilt one a few years ago. It was pretty corroded, but I was able to clean it up and get it working. It quit again last year, and we replaced it with a modern low pressure in -tank pump. I think it was from a Cadillac or something. We attached it to the bracket for tho original pump. Quote
Jesse Browning Posted March 11, 2020 Posted March 11, 2020 I saw some NOS pumps for sale a few years ago. Anyone still have any? Quote
Jim Gilmore Posted March 11, 2020 Posted March 11, 2020 Dan, These tanks are actually called "bullet sealing rubber cells". As the name suggests...they were designed to seal bullet holes in the tank. They have a "almost" liquid rubber center between the outer and inner rubber which will seal the bullet hole. This change to the rubber cells came about at the same time as the in tank electric fuel pumps. This was a later Studebaker production change and not Norwegian . IMPORTANT NOTE : NEVER, EVER, EVER....USE GASOLINE CONTAINING ALCOHOL IN THESE TANKS !!! The alcohol in gasoline will eat away at the rubber and soften it. Small pieces will separate and clog your fuel system. The inside of the rubber cell will eventually turn to a gooey mess. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA. 1 Quote
M29 Posted March 11, 2020 Author Posted March 11, 2020 Thanks for the info. I pulled my tank and looked at the inside and all looked good. wiped it out with towels and rubber still intact and firm. So good to go if the fuel pump is working. Quote
Jim Gilmore Posted March 12, 2020 Posted March 12, 2020 Just another caution here........ DO NOT run the fuel pump without it being submersed in gasoline! Gasoline lubricates the pump and running it dry will damage the pump internals. It is OK to do a very quick test to see if it works when dry but never run it more than a few seconds. Also...this pump is basically the same as the pump in the M-18 Tank Destroyer and the M-135 & M-211 GMC 2-1/2 ton 6x6 trucks. Those pumps are 24 volt but the internals are the same. Rebuilding of the electric pumps is covered in a carburetor and fuel pump rebuilding TM available from Portrayal Press. I don't remember which TM number it is but Patrick should be able to tell us. Jim Gilmore Quote
Patrick Tipton Posted March 12, 2020 Posted March 12, 2020 57 minutes ago, Jim Gilmore said: Rebuilding of the electric pumps is covered in a carburetor and fuel pump rebuilding TM available from Portrayal Press. I don't remember which TM number it is but Patrick should be able to tell us. Jim Gilmore TM 9-1828A Repair of Fuel Pumps: https://www.portrayalpress.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TM 9-1828A Quote
M29 Posted March 13, 2020 Author Posted March 13, 2020 Hi Pat Guess I will be one of those. Be talking to you soon. Dan 1 Quote
Seabeeparke Posted March 13, 2020 Posted March 13, 2020 Can someone post a photo of a "bullet sealing rubber cell" fuel tank? Quote
Jim Gilmore Posted March 13, 2020 Posted March 13, 2020 Just look in your TM 9-1772 Weasel manual on page 127 and there is a photo of the cell. In addition , pages 126 to 140 cover the fuel cell and how to inspect and repair it. If you guys don't have that TM.....you REALLY need to have it as it covers the repair/rebuilding of the major components of the vehicle !! Of course you can get an excellent printed copy of it from that Portrayal Press outfit............... Jim Gilmore Quote
Jim Gilmore Posted March 13, 2020 Posted March 13, 2020 Well.....in case you don't have the TM...here's the photo. Jim 1 Quote
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