The Israelis liked the centurion as it was more survivable, than the early US model tanks they had.
A lot of this was apparently to do with the hydraulic fluid used in these US-sourced M60 tanks, which was apparently highly inflammable, so penetrations caused problems if the hydraulic lines were fractured and sprayed the stuff around the crew compartment. later solved with a diferent formula for the hydraulic fluid & some re-engineering.
http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/11ground/mowery.pdf
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.o...-Flammable.htm
basically - high pressure hydrailic fluids as orignally fitted on M60 (before 74), could become internal flame throwers. Not nice.
Cheers
Andy