motor questions

rock jeep

Gear Grinder
Feb 7, 2010
5
White Hall, AR
Willys Model
Willys Year:
Well I bought a '61 wagon with the hurricane 6. I was told that it needed a head gasket, when I got it to the shop and pulled the head apparently the piston pins have been walking back and forth and gouged the cyl walls :x

Now for the questions.... I have a buddy that has a M715 with a Tornado 6 and somebody told me I could use the long block and put all my accessories on it and bolt it in. Is that true. If so it would save me a lot of $ and time.

Or what would be my best V8 for an engine for a swap? I was thinking a 302 would prolly make a nice fit because of the smaller package and front mount dist.
 
The Tornado 6 was put in the wagons near the end of production. Don't know for sure, but it seems likely that it might be a relatively easy swap.
 
When it comes to V8 swaps your best bet IMO is the SBC V8, one of the older engines, pre '86. 327/350 is a great way to go and Advanced Adapters has a plate to hook it up to your OEM driveline. I have one in my '55 wagon... ;)

The rear mount Chevy distributor is not an issue at all. Need pics let me know. There is plenty of room to pull cap and make adjustments.

If you do decide to go that route, I have a complete Chevy based driveline for sale over in the parts section. I will sell it cheaper than you can buy the engine/adapter even at junkyard prices. And its running and I am driving it.
 
Well if the tornado 6 will work I will prolly go that way. So I wont have to do so much work and can start driving it.

But if I go with a V8 I will use an auto also. Was thinking about a 302/C4 and a divorced dodge t-case. Would prolly also put some waggy axles under it.
 
rock jeep said:
Well if the tornado 6 will work I will prolly go that way. So I wont have to do so much work and can start driving it.

But if I go with a V8 I will use an auto also. Was thinking about a 302/C4 and a divorced dodge t-case. Would prolly also put some waggy axles under it.
Click to expand...
Rock, I can only surmise that would also be a sweet setup. I am def a stick guy, been driving one all my life and not likely to change. I can only assume the '302' is a FORD engine since its hooked up to a C-4. Enjoy and keep us in the loop on your progress... ;)
 
rock jeep: I have the Tornado OHC six in our wagon and really like it. The military version in the M715 will be a little different from the civilian one used from about '62 to '65, it has a lower compression ratio and produces a little less HP (single bbl carb?). You should check out if your trans will bolt up easily - the input shafts may be different. One of the nice characteristics of the inline six is that you have lots of room on either side of the engine. The exhaust system on the Tornado engine is on the passenger side, is that the same as the Hurricane?
All the best, whatever you decide to do.

Pavel
 
Personally, I don't feel like this is a good engine. The military version has oiling problems at cyl. number 6, and it spreads forwards I'm told.
If you check out the M715zone.com forum, you can ask the experts. I am told they dump them. A buddy of mine has an M715, and is about as knowledgeble on them as it comes. I asked him, and he said those sixes are junk. For what it's worth...
 
Well I just want to find out if it will fit. If it will it will save me a lot of time and I could be driving it till I come up with all the parts I need. Otherwise I will just hafta throw a tarp over it and push it out back with the rest of the junk till I can come up with the time.
 
It all depends what you want... with all due respect to those who say the Tornado engine is no good, I disagree. But there are other considerations about the Tornado. If you want to add power steering, then you will have to fabricate your own mounts for the steering pump, as I did. Also, at about 575 lbs, the Tornado engine is a bit heavy. Other than those problems (and the fact that the same lobes on the cam control both the intake and exhaust valves) I think it is a very suitable engine. Then there's the possibility of using a Mercedes 300 diesel...

Cheers

Pavel
 
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