Jeep Engine in a Model A

Model A Fan

Model A Fan

Senior Member
I was wondering if a WWII Jeep engine would fit into a Model A and function. I know a lot of people put larger engines into their Model A's and turn them into street rods, but I was planning on just keeping with the 4 cylinder engine and using a WWII Jeep engine that I have in my garage in my Model A build (whenever it gets going).

I have the transmission, transfer case, complete engine and rear axle. Will it cause a problem if the engine's transfer case is equipped for a four wheel drive setup and its max speed is about 55mph?

Reason I wanted to put a Jeep engine in the Model A would be that I have the extra engine in my garage and it works and I have all the pieces. I'm not planning on making a show car or completely restored one, I would just like one that I can drive around and have a good time in until I decide to either fix it up or get a new one.

Any advice? I am sure it would work so long as everything is lined up properly. I appreciate any help!
:D
 
Model A Fan said:
I was wondering if a WWII Jeep engine would fit into a Model A and function. I know a lot of people put larger engines into their Model A's and turn them into street rods, but I was planning on just keeping with the 4 cylinder engine and using a WWII Jeep engine that I have in my garage in my Model A build (whenever it gets going).

I have the transmission, transfer case, complete engine and rear axle. Will it cause a problem if the engine's transfer case is equipped for a four wheel drive setup and its max speed is about 55mph?

Reason I wanted to put a Jeep engine in the Model A would be that I have the extra engine in my garage and it works and I have all the pieces. I'm not planning on making a show car or completely restored one, I would just like one that I can drive around and have a good time in until I decide to either fix it up or get a new one.

Any advice? I am sure it would work so long as everything is lined up properly. I appreciate any help!
:D
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To go to open driveshaft requires boxing the frame and for/aft rear springs. The Model A frame is very weak and the closed driveshaft contributes much to frame rigidity.;
 
It just sounds like too much work for what you will get.Start at the rear.You will have to adapt the transverse spring to the Jeep rear.Now you need radius rods.Also a braking system.You are going to need a hump in the A floor for the trans,you can't just drop it down because you still have to hook up the rear of the front radius rods unless you split them,do the trigonometry,and figure how to hang them at the right point to get the correct angle for the front axle.I wouldn't worry too much about hurting anything from the power,you will find you went downhill from the A engine with that Continental. I think 55 will be stretching it,I've had a few of these and maintain one now for a woman that kept it from her late husband.At 45 it sounds like the pistons are swapping holes,and the stock A's will be flying by you.However,if you're a good welder,fabricator,and can figure out the front end/rear end geometry,it would probably be a fun project.Is the car bad/rusted enough so that you won't think too badly about cutting up an A?And,there WILL be cutting.I have done some weird stuff and enjoyed it.I put a 283 Chevy in a 61 Rambler American,a 260 Ford in a PV 544 Volvo,and lately I have been thinking about a Nissan Diesel powered Model A pickup.I have a low mile rusted Nissan truck,and discovered enough parts in the piles to assemble a 30 closed cab truck.Those parts turned out to be a lot better than I thought so it may get assembled this winter as another stock A.
 
My first choice would be a Model A or B engine. Next to that your best choice would be to scrap the jeep engine and buy an engine more suited for the change. You will be money ahead in the long run. Go to HAMB and read about the 4 cylinder engines such as the Chevy II, Iron Duke and many others.

Charlie Stephens
 
Keith's post reminded me of a guy I knew who put a Flathead Ford motor in a '65 El Camino. He wanted to be different and sure did a good job of that!
 
Hi guys, thanks for the speedy replies. I wasn't really looking to do the Jeep engine in the Ford to "save" money, rather just to have a WWII engine in the A. I do know what you mean about the engines sounding like they're going crazy as the Jeep I have now sounds really "whiny" at about 45, but I just was thinking it is because it might be "tired".

I don't want to "rod" it but I don't want to return it to stock, but rather somewhere in between.

I'll keep my eyes out for a good condition Model A engine, as I really like those older 4 cylinders. I guess I'll get rid of the extra engine with the Jeep. Won't be needing it! Hopefully I can find an A engine for a comparable price...paid about $500 for the engine and a whole bunch of "goodies".

Thank you!
 
If I'm not mistaken, WWII Jeeps and pre-1963 four-cylinder Jeep trucks and Wagons had 5.38 drive axles, which is why they are screaming at 45 mph, whether powered by the flat-head "Go-Devil" four, the later F-head four, or the V-8 of your choice. ( And if someone along the way has swapped 15" wheels onto that Jeep in place of the original 16s, it'll be slower yet ! )

My own '61 Willys pick-up ( 6-226 4WD ) had the "Super Hurricane" six and 4.88 gears; still a slow-poke.

Model A's usually had 3.78 gears, so for example, a '28-'29 Ford with 21" wheels will do about 53 MPH at "red-line" of 2200 RPM.

For the aggravation involved in trying to make the Jeep motor work in an A, you could probably find a decent A block, and mildly "work" it with a "touring cam" and 5.5 to 6.1 compression ratio head and get some more "pep".

You could probably sell that vintage Jeep driveline and use the proceeds to finance a decent "touring" model A engine...

If you're dead set on a Jeep-powered model A, it'd probably be easier to set the Ford coachwork on the complete Jeep chassis...
 
I think some of the old wwii jeep engines might be Ford. It would be interesting to see if the bell housing bolt pattern are the same. There were a few old wwii jeeps in this area with Ford flat head v8s conversions. It might be a drop in. If the bell housings would interchange this would resolve the wish bone problem. I have never worked on a wwii jeep. Let us know what you find out.
 
Won't work. I have a 49 CJ2A and extra motors. Looking at them, neither the F head or the flathead will work. That would be like putting a Cummins in a metropolitan.
 
sturgis 39 said:
I think some of the old wwii jeep engines might be Ford. It would be interesting to see if the bell housing bolt pattern are the same. There were a few old wwii jeeps in this area with Ford flat head v8s conversions. It might be a drop in. If the bell housings would interchange this would resolve the wish bone problem. I have never worked on a wwii jeep. Let us know what you find out.
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As Sturigis 39 says ,it would be great if the engine matched the bell housing. My friend Ed has a 47 Willys jeep with a Ford GPW engine and it's a real smooth runner, it also has pretty good speed.
 
James Rogers said:
Won't work. I have a 49 CJ2A and extra motors. Looking at them, neither the F head or the flathead will work. That would be like putting a Cummins in a metropolitan.
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Jim,I think the war was over before 49 (just kidding). Ford made jeeps for the war effort. What engines did they install in the Jeeps Ford made. I know I would not be lucky enough to have a drop in. Maybe they were the highly disputed never existed model "C" engines.

Once in a while you will see a want add that is related to an old Ford jeep.

Just kind of day dreaming. I should be outside moving snow.
 
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I think your idea of selling the Jeep engine, parts, etc. is a good idea. They would certainly have value to other Jeep hobbyists. Then that money can be used to invest in A parts for your car.
 
Ron/IA said:
I think your idea of selling the Jeep engine, parts, etc. is a good idea. They would certainly have value to other Jeep hobbyists. Then that money can be used to invest in A parts for your car.
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Ron, that is probably the sensible thing to do but if it would be neat to know if it will work.
 
sturgis 39 said:
Ron, that is probably the sensible thing to do but if it would be neat to know if it will work.
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I know it might not be the best/most sensible way, but I already had the motor and was just doing a little hypothesizin'. I will probably get rid of the Jeep and motor together (Jeep already has a motor in it...), and put that towards the future project.

On a different note, where would you recommend one look for a good Model A engine? I am not sure how much shipping would cost, as they probably aren't that prevalent in my direct area.

Thanks for the interesting responses. It was an interesting thought...
 
belive it or not i got a 1930 coupe from my uncle who had installed a 1946 willys jeep engine in it he made a adapter plate and used the A transmission and the A clutch disc made side motor mounts it worked well but i put a A engine back in the car it can be done but they dont work as well as henrys motor does
 
You will be disappointed with a Jeep engine in the Model A. The Jeep is 134 cubic inches and the A is 200. Torque is what moves the car, small engines do not have torque.
 
Model A Fan- there are lots of Model A engines in your neighborhood. Join your local club and ask the members. Check Craig's List. Check e-bay. Find out who the local Model A engine builders are - one that comes to mind is Bill Barlow in Oregon. Another is Rick Carnegie here in Spokane. I have a few engines myself, but they all need to be rebuilt. My personal opinion is find a block and have it rebuilt.
 
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