161/6-cyl. vs. 4-cyl.?

[chrysleralmighty]

All--So, I picked up an L-head 6 out of a Henry J to rebuild and replace my stock 4-banger in my '52 J. Just heard from the machine shop and they said that they can't find cam bearings or rod bearings for these 6-cylinders and that nobody really rebuilds them.

Does that sound crazy to you guys? They also said that they didn't think the 6 would "bolt right in" to an original 4-banger car. That also sounds off to me, since the 6 came out of another '52 J.

Love some advice from you guys. This shop tells me that they can rebuild my original 4 to be a hotter motor than the 6, too. Ideas?

Thanks guys!

[njpatera]

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/772/willys-jeep-engine-camshaft-bearings-parts-accessories

[Quadromaniac]

I changed my 4 to a 6 a couple of years ago. You will need the front motor mount towers as they are not the same. Other than that it will go right in.

[Fid]

You need to replace the front motor mount towers, the throttle linkage, the front exhaust pipe (from the manifold to the muffler) and possibly the rear end. Been there, done it many times.

[darrin145]

All--So, I picked up an L-head 6 out of a Henry J to rebuild and replace my stock 4-banger in my '52 J. Just heard from the machine shop and they said that they can't find cam bearings or rod bearings for these 6-cylinders and that nobody really rebuilds them.

Does that sound crazy to you guys? They also said that they didn't think the 6 would "bolt right in" to an original 4-banger car. That also sounds off to me, since the 6 came out of another '52 J.

Love some advice from you guys. This shop tells me that they can rebuild my original 4 to be a hotter motor than the 6, too. Ideas?

Thanks guys!

Seems to me it might be time to find a new machine shop!

[Corsairdeluxe]

RUN, don't walk.

[Corsairdeluxe]

I do not recommend hopping up the 4 cyl. It has earned its place in history and deserves a restful retirement. It was modified a lot in Australia after the war. A lot of G.I. stuff was left there and the jeep engine powered became a "class" of race car. I include some of the equipment used. I doubt you could find any of it today.

[Corsairdeluxe]

The parts you need are only a few miles from the "rebuilder".Cam and rod bearings are the same on F and L head engines.This particular parts supplier is one of the oldest and most knowledgeable in the business and does not do a quick look at a computer screen by an at risk youth to research parts.

https://egge.com/product/kits.php?action=Search+MMY&kit_make=WILLYS&kit_model=AERO+ACE&kit_year=&kit_engine=161+CID

[Corsairdeluxe]

Fid points it out. Most folks do not realize the the front motor mount towers are different and most people pulling the engines do not save the towers.

[chrysleralmighty]

The one thing these guys told me that now makes sense is the motor mount towers necessary for the 6. And that Egge kit looks like exactly what I'd need, except for not including the timing gear! I need to keep digging...

[Fid]

Fid points it out. Most folks do not realize the the front motor mount towers are different and most people pulling the engines do not save the towers

Also, they bolt into a different set of holes the cross member. Those holes should be present already but are often filled with mud/grease/etc.

[Terry T]

If you want a better performer, install a 161 F-head.
I replaced the L-head with an F-head and the driving experience is immediately noticeable.

[chrysleralmighty]

Fid points it out. Most folks do not realize the the front motor mount towers are different and most people pulling the engines do not save the towers

Also, they bolt into a different set of holes the cross member. Those holes should be present already but are often filled with mud/grease/etc.

I noticed those holes in the crossmember when I cleaned up and painted the engine bay--I thought those were the only things I needed before I heard about those towers...

[Corsairdeluxe]

I do not know how to get up with this guy. He's in SoCal and probably has waht you need.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw5vKwdjoXk

[BigDave LM6174]

I am in Los Angeles area, let me know if I can help in anyway tracking this guy down in the video.