Engine in a '53 CJ3B

[Bayou53]

Hey Guys,

I'm wondering about the engine that's in my rig. From everything I've seen and read online, the CJ3B's had the F134 Hurricane engine, but mine has the L134 Go-Devil. I'm not assuming that this would be original to the jeep, but could it be? I haven't cleaned the engine for the serial number yet, but the number I pulled off the plate on the firewall is 453-GB2 27659. From the production numbers I found on CJ3B.info, this body would have been made roughly half-way through the production run in 1953; if I read it correctly. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Charlie Sibley

[Rus Curtis]

Charlie,
The CJ3B Page is a great source.  The L-head can bolt right in - if it's the later version with the engine mounts lining up with the frame. 

It is common to use whatever is available when needed.  I used older 2A fenders for a while on mine.   If it runs then move on and work on other stuff.  Eventually, you'll run across an F-head.

[oldtime]

No the L head engine was never factory installed in a model 3B.

[Bayou53]

Rus,

The engine has been inside this Jeep for as long as I can remember. My father was given the Jeep from his younger brother, who got it a trade for doing some mechanic work for a gentleman back around the mid ‘80s. We used the Jeep for years after that. The last time I can recall it running was back in the early 2000s, and that would’ve been around the time it was parked. My son begged his grandpa to have the Jeep to fix up and get running again. So that’s the plan.

The body is all but rusted away, but may have a few good parts still there. There’s HEAVY layers of body filler on the driver side between the drivers seat and the wheel well. The wheels still roll, but the steering wheel has rusted away. The brake and clutch pedals appear to be stuck. The transmission, transfer, hi/low range shifter still move like I remember(solid but stiff). I have yet to try and turn the engine over as my work schedule keeps me pretty busy but that will happen this weekend. Fingers crossed!!

I’m actually thrilled to have that old flathead motor. I just didn’t know if it could have been possible to have come from the factory that way. I highly doubted that it did, but thanks for your input! Cheers!

[Bayou53]

Pic 1

[Bayou53]

2

[Bayou53]

3

[Rus Curtis]

Rus,

The engine has been inside this Jeep for as long as I can remember. My father was given the Jeep from his younger brother, who got it a trade for doing some mechanic work for a gentleman back around the mid ‘80s. We used the Jeep for years after that. The last time I can recall it running was back in the early 2000s, and that would’ve been around the time it was parked. My son begged his grandpa to have the Jeep to fix up and get running again. So that’s the plan.

The body is all but rusted away, but may have a few good parts still there. There’s HEAVY layers of body filler on the driver side between the drivers seat and the wheel well. The wheels still roll, but the steering wheel has rusted away. The brake and clutch pedals appear to be stuck. The transmission, transfer, hi/low range shifter still move like I remember(solid but stiff). I have yet to try and turn the engine over as my work schedule keeps me pretty busy but that will happen this weekend. Fingers crossed!!

I’m actually thrilled to have that old flathead motor. I just didn’t know if it could have been possible to have come from the factory that way. I highly doubted that it did, but thanks for your input! Cheers!

Like Oldtime said, not from the factory.  From 1953 to 1980, there's plenty of time to swap an old, tired F-head engine out with a running L-head.  Your description above and the #3 image gives a better overall condition on what you're working with.  Knowing that nearly every component will need attention (including gear boxes), you may want to figure out an attack plan on how to start.  What I've learned is many other things are visible upon disassembly.  You may find the frame is rough too.

When you get to wanting another engine, here's just one site that has posts on it:

http://www.ewillys.com/?s=engines+for+sale

Original used parts (possibly engines too):

http://www.midwestwillys.com/

And don't forget our Sale section where others offer up spare parts or you can post a WTB ad.

[Bayou53]

Update from today’s work in the engine bay:

We located the serial number stamped on the boss behind the water pump. R4T46651; so this flathead is a rebuilt motor from a 4x4 truck? Since there no “J” stamp there I’m assuming this may be correct if what I’ve been reading online is true. I was not able to locate the cast numbers as the poor thing is still on the old wheels and tires, and I’m not ready to pull the motor just yet. I still have to trailer the Jeep home.

So my next question would be if there is any way to confirm if the frame and body are “original”? Or so to say can I match the s/n of the body to something on the frame?

Lastly, can anyone date the engine simply based on the stamped S/N?

[Vivian Diana]

As far as I know, many other things are visible after disassembly. You may find that the framework is also rough.