aquawilly54
Well Oiled
- Sep 21, 2009
- 1,257
- Willys Model
- Willys Year:
Guys, this is a response I posted this morning back on page 4 I think. For some reason, I feel it necessary to reiterate, so that all will read. I've seen a lot of discussion on different engine installations which can be cause for a variety of concerns, from small diesels and all the fabrication that goes with it, to monster V-8's and the issues that creep up there. I am by no means a professional car restorer. A lot of you guys have far more experience than I, but I have seen some serious hack jobs on these poor ol' Willys and most of it comes from an engine install gone bad, all in the name of more power. With that said, here is what I wrote.
Generally, any V8 you install is going to require firewall modification, and more than likely cutting a notch out of the front crossmember. V6's fit much better. The main thing to consider is heat. A V6 leaves more room for under hood heat to escape. V8's get pretty warm under there. You have to look at the fire wall. In most cars designed with V8's, the firewall will go down about a third of the way and then slope back pretty good. This allows for scavenging of the under hood heat. The Willys firewall does not do this and therefore tends to keep that heat in. I have run ford V8's in a few different Willys trucks and Wagons. All required firewall and crossmember mods (not a huge deal, but still...) and all created some serious heat at the floor board. A good radiator helps a lot as far as engine temps, but it still warms up that cab. Let's talk radiators. Just because one installs a huge radiator that spans from headlight to headlight does not mean efficient cooling. The idea here (for a V8) is to use a 3 or 4 core radiator, but it still needs to fit properly in the grille space so ALL of the air gets pushed through the whole radiator. Also, if you don't "seal" the sides a lot of that cool air goes around the radiator instead of through it, so seal it on the sides and use a good shroud on the engine side. That said, why not go with a V-6? You can still get plenty of power if done right. Why would you want to modify (usually means a BFH) the firewall if you don't have to? Been there, done that. I once was young and stupid. Now i'm old and well...depends on how the spouse mouse is feeling.
Good luck and have fun, but no matter which way you go... do it right.
Steve
Generally, any V8 you install is going to require firewall modification, and more than likely cutting a notch out of the front crossmember. V6's fit much better. The main thing to consider is heat. A V6 leaves more room for under hood heat to escape. V8's get pretty warm under there. You have to look at the fire wall. In most cars designed with V8's, the firewall will go down about a third of the way and then slope back pretty good. This allows for scavenging of the under hood heat. The Willys firewall does not do this and therefore tends to keep that heat in. I have run ford V8's in a few different Willys trucks and Wagons. All required firewall and crossmember mods (not a huge deal, but still...) and all created some serious heat at the floor board. A good radiator helps a lot as far as engine temps, but it still warms up that cab. Let's talk radiators. Just because one installs a huge radiator that spans from headlight to headlight does not mean efficient cooling. The idea here (for a V8) is to use a 3 or 4 core radiator, but it still needs to fit properly in the grille space so ALL of the air gets pushed through the whole radiator. Also, if you don't "seal" the sides a lot of that cool air goes around the radiator instead of through it, so seal it on the sides and use a good shroud on the engine side. That said, why not go with a V-6? You can still get plenty of power if done right. Why would you want to modify (usually means a BFH) the firewall if you don't have to? Been there, done that. I once was young and stupid. Now i'm old and well...depends on how the spouse mouse is feeling.
Good luck and have fun, but no matter which way you go... do it right.
Steve