1953 CJ3A engine data plate

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Hey guys we are restoring a original willys CJ3A for a customer and the original engine has the boss under the distributor boss drilled for rivets. Cant seem to find any info on what engine tag might have been there. It was a standard bore engine so it hasn't been rebuilt. Did find some info on a Kaiser tag but was told that those were only on the cars. Here's a pic.

Thanks Tom
Full Circle Restorations

[1955CJ-5]

"Supersonic" maybe?

[athawk11]

Can you post a picture of the casting number just below this photo edge?

Tim

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Here's the casting number. Engine number stamped into the block 3J139987.

Thanks Tom

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The Kaiser tag would definitely fit but is it correct for a Willys Jeep??

[athawk11]

1955CJ-5 may be right on the Supersonic tag.

The casting number is probably a very late 1953.  This is around the time Kaiser bought Willys.

That is a late engine serial number too.

 

[athawk11]

Can you take a picture of the head?

Tim

[fullcircle]

Here's some head pics. Wonder if all the Kaiser blocks might be drilled for id plate but only the cars had a tag??

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another pic

[athawk11]

Hmmm,
Someone ground the head casting number off.� (Just below the W4)

You normally see the tappet valve clearance information just above the "Willys" on the head too.� This doesn't look like it was ground off.� It just doesn't look like it was part of the cast.�

Maybe this was a Kaiser thing too.� Might have to call in Bob W for additional head information.

Tim

[Bob W]

Can you get a photo of the drivers side of the block, lower rear area where there are some numbers and a letter?

What is the serial number of this CJ-3A?

[fullcircle]

The serial number is 453-GB1  13984, here's a pic of the block.

[Bob W]

CJ-3As did not use a tag below the distributor. Kaiser car Supersonic engines and all the industrial engines did have a tag riveted there and everything used the same block casting. I will bet there are no spiral grooves in those rivet holes proving a drive rivet was never installed there.

There are a ton of different cylinder heads. I have not found any original documentation to decipher them all.

I'd say that the engine and head are original to that CJ-3A. They were both cast after mid 1952 which fits right in as an engine for a 1953 model year Willys. The engine serial number is also in range for the vehicle serial number.

[Mark W.]

I have the same head on my engine but it has the casting number on it 80376 I think it is off hand. Engine is a 48 based on the serial number I don't have anymore cause the machinist decked my block and never recorded the number. And yes my bad as well.

[fullcircle]

Bob, you are correct I looked very closely at the block and cannot see any grooves from previous rivets being installed. Also makes sense as original as this Jeep is there would be a tag still on the engine. So the late blocks were drilled for a engine tag but not installed on Willys. Thanks for your input.