My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: JohnR on February 04, 2014, 10:42:44 AM

Title: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: JohnR on February 04, 2014, 10:42:44 AM: Hi
In another thread you guys determined my engine was a 1941 Americar.ï¿½ I am thinking of sending it off to the machine shop for a total overhaul, carb to oil pan.ï¿½ This will go in my unoriginal 1953 3a and I plan to drive it a bunch.ï¿½ Since I'm looking for a driver and not doing a period correct restore, is there any reason to not go this route?ï¿½ Will the later Go Devil bolt ons, such as intake, exhaust, etc bolt on with no issues?ï¿½ ï¿½Thanks again.ï¿½ BTW, the bearings are split shell and not babbited.
John
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: Carls_jeep on February 04, 2014, 11:34:36 AM: I don't know if it is compatible with the L134 or not but I would try to find a CJ2A or CJ3A L134 to rebuild for your Jeep. I suspect if it's not an exact duplicate of the L134 parts are not interchangeable. Have you did a web research for comparability?
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: JohnR on February 04, 2014, 11:59:30 AM: Can't find much info. My gut tells me they won't.
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: F Bill on February 04, 2014, 12:36:32 PM: I'd tend to choose another block myself mainly due to the different cooling system design. I'm reasonably certain that all the externals will bolt on but I'd be making sure before I spend any money on it. Bolt on your flywheel, front pulley, manifolds, throttle linkage, oil filter, etc...

You may want to clean it up as best you can and examine it for cracking in the top surface and in the usual spot below the distributor. My engine was cracked around a couple of head bolt holes and also had some stripped out bolt holes that would never have held torque. There are lots of engines still out there in guys sheds, so if you find it is broken or cracked anywhere, it might be easier to find a different engine.

I saved mine in case someone wanted an early Slat grille engine, as it can be made to look like one.
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: Lee on February 04, 2014, 07:29:38 PM: I removed one (1940) from a GPW years back, it will work, BUT, you will have a chain driven cam, and if it retains its original crankshaft, it will not have flyweights on it as postwar engines had, and therefore not as smooth of a runner. If it were mine I would opt for the correct block.

MHO, Lee ;)
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: SteveW on February 04, 2014, 08:08:49 PM: I think the engines also had a draft tube and not the pcv set up which may matter a little bit. I would see if you could sell it to someone with an Americar that would need it and probably a little more valuable to them and get a 3a engine. They only made 29,000 Americars total for 1941/42.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_Americar
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: JohnR on February 04, 2014, 11:29:24 PM: Thanks for the info. I'm getting some prices on some rough parts jeeps right now. I also have a lead on some Willys parts from a guy at work, one of them a long block he claims is still in cosmoline. He said his neighbor's son is retiring and the 80 year old father wants his crap out of his garage. Can't vouch for that lead until I see it myself.
Thanks
John
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: Bob W on February 05, 2014, 07:29:09 AM: As time went on they made many improvements to the engine block castings. I'd lean toward a later engine if you can find one.

Quote
a long block he claims is still in cosmoline.

If this turns out to be true please take a lot of photos!!!!
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: JohnR on February 08, 2014, 07:56:32 AM: Hi Guys,
I see mention of the cooling system upgrades in later years.ï¿½ What exactly were the improvements?ï¿½ Everyone also seems to prefer the gear drive to the chain, but I guess I'm not seeing the problem.ï¿½ Timing chains have been used forever.ï¿½ I won't know till April if my new engine in cosmoline lead pans out, and if it doesn't, my other local leads are drying up.ï¿½ Lots of rusty hulks that sellers can't decide a price on.ï¿½ The Americar ran like a champ, and I'm thinking of picking up a later ribbed Willys stamped head with the three bolt thermostat housing to install on it if I get it redone.ï¿½ The internet info I'm seeing says it should work.ï¿½ If there are any inherent mechanical or reliability drawbacks that anyone is aware of, other than not being correct for this application, I'd like to know.ï¿½ Otherwise, the new head would pass the ten foot test.ï¿½ Thoughts appreciated.ï¿½ BTW, what's the going rate for a good head with thermostat housing?
Thanks,
John
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: Bruce_W on February 08, 2014, 09:55:16 PM: John, I don't know where you are located, but I have a 3A block and enough internals to build an engine, and might have an interest in your Americar engine. Interested? BW
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: JohnR on February 09, 2014, 07:17:49 AM: Hi Bruce,
I'm interested. I'm located in Upper Michigan. How about you?
John
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: Bruce_W on February 09, 2014, 07:24:16 PM: Northeast Colorado. Could be a problem. BW
Title: Re: Rebuild Americar or not?
Post by: JohnR on February 16, 2014, 06:22:08 PM: I think so, Bruce. Thanks anyway.