New to the FC family

Oranji

Gear Grinder
Jul 28, 2021
10
Montreal
First Name
Fred
Willys Model
  1. Forward Control
Willys Year:
  1. 1958
Greetings from the Quebec!
This summer i was able to import my first project car, first ever jeep and FC. It`s a 58 170

The Engine seems to be working but don`t know if the block is cracked or not. I guess i will know next summer when i clean and redo the engin.

I had a few questions though on the 226, if it`s still good, how could i improve the perfomance to crank a few hp for highway usage?
If the engine is dead, what are my option for a swap that would make sense in it? Go for more modern and jeep related?

Cheers :)
 

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Congratulations and welcome. Given the aerodynamics of an FC, I don’t think the L6-226 will ever provide truly satisfactory highway performance, but then everything about the running gear is pretty lousy at highway performance — loose steering, weak brakes, noisy transmission and transfer case, harsh suspension, etc. If highway performance is a priority of your build, you may need to consider transplanting the body into a more modern chassis with a stronger engine.
 
oh thank you for the information.

To get access to the city i have to go throught a highway so no choice but it would to be sad to transplant on a more modern chassis and engine. I would love to keep it as close to the original if the engine is not buster. If it is then i get it`s a restomod project.

In a case of a resto mod which engine should i be considering? I hate LS swap to common and FC aren`t common truck i find. EV is out of the question since it`s way too heavy.
Lookout Ranch said:
Congratulations and welcome. Given the aerodynamics of an FC, I don’t think the L6-226 will ever provide truly satisfactory highway performance, but then everything about the running gear is pretty lousy at highway performance — loose steering, weak brakes, noisy transmission and transfer case, harsh suspension, etc. If highway performance is a priority of your build, you may need to consider transplanting the body into a more modern chassis with a stronger engine.
Click to expand...
 
Oranji said:
oh thank you for the information.

To get access to the city i have to go throught a highway so no choice but it would to be sad to transplant on a more modern chassis and engine. I would love to keep it as close to the original if the engine is not buster. If it is then i get it`s a restomod project.

In a case of a resto mod which engine should i be considering? I hate LS swap to common and FC aren`t common truck i find. EV is out of the question since it`s way too heavy.
Click to expand...
If the rig is in good shape and mostly original, my inclination would be to keep it that way. Besides being simpler to work on and get running, it will probably hold its value better that way, unless you do a particularly nice restomod.

Sometimes it’s an easy decision. If it’s already significantly modified or missing major components, it probably makes sense to go with a restomod. But it’s kind of sad, in my opinion, for a nice stock vintage vehicle to be forever lost.

Others here are more qualified to speak to the engine transplant question.

Edit: I just re-looked at your pictures, and it looks like substantial body restoration work will be needed, in which case a restomod may be the right choice; nothing you do will harm its “vintage value.”
 
Lookout Ranch said:
If the rig is in good shape and mostly original, my inclination would be to keep it that way. Besides being simpler to work on and get running, it will probably hold its value better that way, unless you do a particularly nice restomod.

Sometimes it’s an easy decision. If it’s already significantly modified or missing major components, it probably makes sense to go with a restomod. But it’s kind of sad, in my opinion, for a nice stock vintage vehicle to be forever lost.

Others here are more qualified to speak to the engine transplant question.

Edit: I just re-looked at your pictures, and it looks like substantial body restoration work will be needed, in which case a restomod may be the right choice; nothing you do will harm its “vintage value.”
Click to expand...
yea i need to redo the whole from XD and remove all the custom crap they put on. I saw that added coils on the front and kept the orginal suspension too O.O... so i`m a bit scared of what i`ll find.

Did anyone ordered a windshield and got it in one piece? That's one of my main concern. the shipping of it.
 
A glass company can form a windshield if you have a template. But it is going to cost you big bucks.
 
I was snooping through your photos of your FC.
One nice accessory is the "pass-through" rear glass !!
And, the heater blower motor looks easy to access for lubing.

There is another thread where a fella is installing an AMC 401 in his FC. That should have sufficient grunt to go.
 
I have restored two FC’s. They had much better bodies then yours. I mean bodies with no rust and like it came from the factory. Excellent paint. Had to rebuild all the running gear. I have over 40K in it. If i had this i would part it out. FC parts are very hard to get and there is a demand. It is my opinion that your body can not be restored. It would take a large body shop hundreds of hours to get it right. FC’s never reach highway speed. Max speed is 45 mph and with overdrive 55 mph. At 55 they become unstable and are really unsafe to drive. I hope i did not throw cold water on your project but in my opinion it is too rough.
 
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