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I'm trying to 're-educate' myself on the M1A1. Last time I messed with them was when they were M1's! Where is the switch for the fuel transfer pump locate? Also, do the smoke generators work? Is there a trick to it besides turning on the switch? Thanks.

Fuel Transfer is a knob on the Driver panel on the M1A1's.

Smoke Generators had been disconnected for many years. The nozzles are located on the top of the exaust duct, oriented to spray raw fuel into the heated duct. the toggle switch to activate is on the right side driver panel in the M1A1.

HTH

We stopped using the smole generator when we switched from diesel to JP8 in the late 80s. The JP8 was more flammable. I was told it would light the back of the tank like an afterburner.

I had to consult my old manuals....as I remember it JP 8 failed to produce any decent billowing smoke like regular diesel did.

I remember the days of smoking the fueler as you sped away,....


I've attached this segment to assist in understanding...



Don

Uhhh Don,
There's no fuel transfer knob..... , Can't speak for those Crazy M1A2's and whatever upgrade that's around now, but in order to transfer fuel on the M1/M1A1 your rear tanks had to be below 1/3 to 1/4 for the transfer pump to kick in. There was no switch on the control panel, In order to transfer fuel the driver flipped the switch on the DIP (Driver's Instrument Panel) fuel gauge to read from either the left or right front tank. If the fuel was low enough in the rear it would transfer from whatever tank you had selected. Once you started the transfer process it would fill the rear until the tank selected was empty. Never, I repeat never transfer from the left front in the winter unless your absolutely have too. It feeds the crew heater. The system was only set up to transfer from front to back. Very simple with a one way pump and flapper valve to prevent fuel from flowing back to the front (Rear top tanks sit higher than fill caps on front) unless it fails, then you have a mess. Happens more than you'd think. Always found out when you topped off. Funny how I almost forgot those fond memories until this subject came up. Thanks Tumbleweed.
About smoke generators, Pump should still be installed, works great to transfer fuel to something as long as it's not a very large amount, Would false start the tank to get the pump to work and not run the engine. Used the ground hop kit hose for a fuel line.

Damn, I knew I was a Tanker once,

Joe D

Thanks for all the info guys. My main function in life now is moving M1A1's around. Good answer on the smoke generators/JP-8. Guess it would create an afterburner affect!

- MarkHolloway

Thanks for all the info guys. My main function in life now is moving M1A1's around. Good answer on the smoke generators/JP-8. Guess it would create an afterburner affect!

Probably not as good of one as an M48A1 would make when excess gas built up in the exhaust if it didn't start

'Dragontails' were spectacular at dusk but not a good idea if you had the rear of the tank parked near a canvas maintenance tent.