4 cylinder replacement

[Quadromaniac]

My 53 Henry J 4 cylinder has a cracked block.  Has anyone ever tried to put in a Kaiser 226  in its place. The motor is already out and I was going to have it rebuilt, but not now. I think I can get my hands on a 226 at a fairly decent price.

[Mike Richards]

I would have thought, someone would have contemplated this swap. There would have to be fabrication at some point. The trannys are different lengths, so, tranny x-member altered changed (?), carb linkage, exhaust, engine mounts? I don't know if/how the engine is different from the 161 6 cylinder? drive shaft? It would be neat to see one done.

[Corsairdeluxe]

Suggested reading.

https://www.hotrodhotline.com/content/making-1953-henry-j-cruiser#.XMxY9OhKizc

[Gordie]

Why not just put a Henry J six cylinder engine in it?  An easy swap giving you much more power for higher speed driving especially with optional overdrive.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I second the HJ Six w/OD. It will give you all the power the 50's design and suspension on the HJ was meant to have .The added weight of the 226 and it's transmission could give you a beast in a panic stop.

[HJ-ETEX]

Actually, a replacement 4 cylinder should easier to find than a 161 six cylinder since the L-head 134 was used until 1965 and the F-head 134 until 1968. (The 161 was gone from domestic vehicles after 1955) I say should but when you consider when someone gets a J to Hot Rod it, the engine and trans get tossed. I have seen several offers of L-head 161s that were the discards of such projects.
My opinion is:
1) Forget the 226. It is heavy and to use it would require as much work as swapping in an more modern motor such as a Buick V6.
2) Be patient and I believe a 134 will show up. You can even use a 134 F-head but you will need an offset air cleaner because the engine is taller.
3) If you must, then use a L-head 161. I will point out that the motor mount towers on the front edge of the front crossmember are different from what is used with the 134s.

[51]

How about a 521

[jake]

How about a 521

How much would charge me to add that to my 1949 kaiser?