My Willys 3A and 3B Community
3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: SpikeT on September 29, 2013, 05:35:43 PM
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While cleaning/degreasing my new 51 3a I discovered there is no cover for my timing hole on the bell housing. Who sells this part? Is it ok to drive around with no cover on hole?
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Saw one on e-bay I think. Will see if I can find it.
And my wife says I am just wasting my time on ebay ;) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Jeep-Willys-MB-GPW-CJ2A-CJ3A-Timing-Hole-Cover-NOS-G503-/181178154569?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a2f0f3e49&vxp=mtr
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Thanks. I'll buy one.
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Spike Did you get an answer to the part where you asked " is it ok to drive w/o one?"
Zeke
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No answer to driving question
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Ok... business as usual 8-)
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Strictly IMO With the hole directly under the starter it would be best to keep stuff out of there especially if you will be going off road, but since there is already a threaded hole there for the screw, should be a piece of cake to just bolt something (metal, plywood, plastic....) there to seal it.
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Strictly IMO� With the hole directly under the starter it would be best to keep stuff out of there especially if you will be going off road, but since there is already a threaded hole there for the screw, should be a piece of cake to just bolt something (metal, plywood, plastic....) there to seal it.
Agreed...although there are tons of jeeps and trucks out there missing even the larger tin cover. As long as you don't go stuffing cats, boulders, or tow chains in there most everything that tries to get in will drop out the bottom only slightly the worse for its encounter with the rotating flywheel and clutch. I wouldn't be too worried about driving it with the cover missing.
The cover is a simple sheet metal flap and once you get your new one you'll see the shape it is...it would be easy to fab up a replacement that will function.
I used to work in a Fiat specialist's shop.. I can remember him doing X-1/9 clutches and timing belts and tossing all sorts of covers into the trash when he was done. While I didn't especially like that idea he never had any troubles with comebacks because of it. He sure saved a bunch of time on his work that way. I have a feeling the timing hole covers went the same way .....
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I've never seen one installed on any Jeep, however, I did find it in the Parts List. Do some of you have one installed?
If you're going to cover that hole, is there a cover for what appears to be a hole for a throwout bearing fork just a few inches farther back for a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right? I've not seen that one covered either.
If there's one for that too, then there's probably a boot that goes over the throwout bearing fork where it enters the bell housing on the left.
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All CJ-3As should have a cover on the timing hole. Early 3As did not have a cover on the right side clutch linkage hole but then they did include them later on. Trucks and wagons used the same bellhousing but never got the clutch hole cover.
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This may be an example of what Bob W is talking about.� This bell housing has an identical rectangular hole on the other side but it has a metal cover for it.� It has always bugged me that there was no boot for the clutch linkage so I have gone with the "it will fall out through the hole on the bottom" idea.� No problems so far.� Some PO did a wonderful job of removing all identifying numbers from this engine so I can only speculate as to its original ID.� 129 tooth flywheel is a clue.
(http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w428/cbnichols/b88ebd8c-15ba-40fa-8374-d80aff7db8a0.jpg) (http://s1075.photobucket.com/user/cbnichols/media/b88ebd8c-15ba-40fa-8374-d80aff7db8a0.jpg.html)
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OldRacer,
Are the casting numbers along the lower edge passenger side still visible? I only ask, because the head appears to be WWII vintage.
Tim
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Hi Tim, I doubt that a CSI could raise any numbers off of the block. The head has the Willys and the Jeep raised names and all I can see below the oil filter bracket are the numbers 639....C. I'm thinking it is 1952 ish because of the 129 tooth ring gear and the cone nose starter. I wish I had all the info so I could put it in the data base but I reckon it won't happen. Thanks for offering the help.
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Your head is a late WWII head.�
It's unusual for the casting number to be ground off.� No numbers at all, on the block,� down by the oil pan?�
Serial numbers are a whole different issue.� Mine are gone too.
Is the engine a gear or chain drive?�
Keep in mind, a fly wheel ring gear can be swapped.
I know we are way off topic here, and I apologize to the original poster.
Check this page.� Very informative...
http://ww2jeeps.com/htm/heads.htm
Tim
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SpikeT, if you never found the cover, PM me. I should have an extra one that I will give you for no charge...
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Guys, I checked the eBay site for the cover and it is round.....
The gap in my engine/bell housing is half moon. Does this mean that I have a "mutt"?... I know that this is not the orig. block, but did hole covers come in "d" shapes??
Regards
Zeke
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Zeke,
Simple answer...No, there is no D-shaped timing hole cover.
You have a later engine block with a large flange bolted to an older flywheel mounting plate.� To utilize the standard timing cover, you would need to trim the flange on the engine. Willys even put out a memo on this potential conflict.�
Here is a link to a very good discussion describing your exact issue...
http://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/whats-the-deal-with-my-timing-window_topic21461.html
Tim