Free advice: When you restore an old Jeep, never (never ever) make a comment about how you have finally done everything you can do to your "project." Inevitably, something will come up to cost you more money and take up more time! After all, the Just Empty Every Pocket saying started with a Willys! �
Big problem with coolant getting into the oil. This time it's
not a head gasket. The engine in my 3A was a replacement when I got it. It came from a Willys utility vehicle (P/Up, wagon, etc.) based on the serial number, and Bob W's expert opinion. It had a minor crack in the block between the #2 & #3 cylinders. When the L-head was rebuilt, it was worth saving and I had it "pinned" or "knitted" at the machine shop. Well, I guess it had 5 years of playing left in it and I should be happy.
My friend Brad, at Vintage Jeep Specialties in York, PA has a late CJ3A replacement L-head that will soon be in Old Yeller. So, if you see a familiar Willys in York... now you know why. �
For the Jeep history buffs, the photo below is the tag on the donor block. Kaiser Willys made "industrial" blocks for a variety of uses including generators and compressors. Bob W advised me that these blocks were made from the late 1950's into the early 60's and were also sold as replacement engines for CJ2A's and CJ3A's.
In addition to modifying the rear flange, I will have to replace the front engine plate with the correct CJ3A plate in order to get the correct motor mount placement on the frame. (Thanks again Bob!) All of my other engine parts will be placed back onto the donor. The end result will actually be more "correct" than the set-up I was using. �
