WILLYS 4 CYLINDER ENGINE

[Terry T]

I read that there were 2 versions of the 134 ci for the cars throughout the build. (now can't find where I read it)

True or not?

Plus--what is difference of these car versions  to the military and civilian version in the jeeps?

[Gordie]

The old flathead four cyl. engine derived from production of the Whippet car in 1926-1930, a product of Willys-Overland.  The same basic engine was used for Willys Overland cars up through WWII and in the Jeeps and later in postwar Jeeps and Willys Jeep type vehicles.  The public demanded more power from the little engine and so Barney Roos in March 1950 designed an overhead valve F head for the engine and that increased power to 72 HP and that version was used for several more years.  Military versions had special requirements and I do not know what they were.  I'm sure the Willys guys would know.

[Aeroman]

Gordie is correct as far as I know except perhaps for the date, I'm pretty sure it was earlier than March 1950. At some point, Barney Roos bored or stroked the 148cid flathead six to 161 cid, then did the F-head 4 and finally, for the Aero, made an F-head out of the flathead 6 and I believe that was March 1950, with the F-head 4 cylinder sometime before that. My notes are not available at this writing, I'll double-check when I get home.
The flat-head 4 in the Jeep was called the go-devil engine.

[Gordie]

I got my date from Patrick Fosters' new Willys book, page 90.  A fine book if you do not have it but too short!  Only 126 pages and I could have read about Willys for a couple of more days as it was hard to put down.

[Aeroman]

Yes, it is too short. But at least there's something out there.

Someday, the complete reference guide will be ready for mass consumption. Stay tuned...