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Gm 181 Into Cj3a

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Heimbig2, Jul 25, 2016.

  1. Jul 25, 2016
    Heimbig2

    Heimbig2 Member

    Richland, WA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2003
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    195
    Is there anyone that has been able to make a 181 or 3.0 mercruiser or industrial motor work in a willys. I am concerned with the intake and exhaust. I have a Chevy II 153, has anyone used this head on the larger motor. Any assistance would be appreciated.

    Mike
     
  2. Jul 25, 2016
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
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    2,871
    I have one at dad's that I made an adapter to use a Clifford aluminum 153 intake on it. If you search forklift parts, there is a salvage yard in Florida? I think that will have the unobtainable intake that you need to run it straight. They also have all the parts to run a propane system which is a nice option.
     
  3. Jul 25, 2016
    Heimbig2

    Heimbig2 Member

    Richland, WA
    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2003
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    Daryl- was it tough to adapt the Clifford intake, what about headers or exhaust? Do you have any photos?

    Thanks

    Mike
     
  4. Jul 25, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    23,596
    I found some information in a post from 2011 ... that you started!

    mercruiser info for jeep

    Seems like the parts you need are available if you are willing to search.

    If you use Google or Bing and restrict your search to this site, you will find quite a few references to this engine.

    site:earlycj5.com mercruiser 3.0L - Bing
    site:earlycj5.com mercruiser 181 - Bing
    site:earlycj5.com GM 181 - Bing

    This engine was sold new as an industrial engine until recently ... maybe still available. There are plenty of sources of parts and complete engines ... if you are willing to pay industry prices. 3.0L GM Industrial Engine Parts - Bing
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2016
  5. Jul 25, 2016
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
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    596
    Daryl, the salvage yard you mention is in Atlanta. Just google atlantaforklift (largest in the country!). I spoke with them in the past- they have (or at least had) the intake/exhaust manifold for both the 153 and 181. Both the 153 and 181 were common in Hysters. As Daryl said, propane systems are easy to get- almost all internal combustion forklifts are propane.

    The intake is occasionally found but the exhausts tend to crack.

    I think it was the CJ2A page where guys were putting the 153 head on the 181- it's a bolt up. But it will drop the HP some as the 181 head breathes a lot better than the 153 head. There was some speculation that it would, though, bump up the compression ratio. Also, there was at least one guy on the 2A page building his own headers and intakes for the 153.
     
  6. Jul 28, 2016
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2007
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    743
    I've been collecting 153/181 parts for several years. As mentioned, Hyster is a good source for the LP motors. I picked up a complete forklift with a destroyed ring & pinion for $750. I'm going to try and run the LP setup in my 70 short nose postal.

    I have the original motor and manifolds that is locked up in the postal, but the forklift manifolds look exactly like the car manifolds just setup to fit the 181 head port spacing. Pretty amazing.

    I found a rear sump pan/pickup from a boat supply place for the one piece rear main seal my Hyster motor has (1995) and I found that an external balanced small Chevy 153 tooth flywheel worked when I drilled the counter weight off and slotted two of the bolt holes for the evenly spaced non-counter weighted 4 cylinder crank.

    I also found a NIB Clifford intake that I will make an adapter for that can be run on my '81 3.0 Mercruiser. I think the GM motor is the ultimate if you want to keep 4 cylinder power in a jeep and for my Merc the primary reason is that adapting common GM truck 4 speed is easy and pretty cheap.

    Seems most guys running the GM bangers are doing so for rat rods. Early T's and A's. Good threads over on the H.A.M.B.
     
  7. Jul 28, 2016
    Heimbig2

    Heimbig2 Member

    Richland, WA
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    Jan 13, 2003
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    195
    Mike C I think I have found a company that will be casting their own intake to use a couple of webers for the 181 marine engine.
     
  8. Jul 28, 2016
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    Though not 153 or 181 GM/Mercruiser, has anyone had any experience with the unrelated Mercruiser 470 4 cyl? It is a marine only application; 224 ci/3.7 liter, alloy block, Ford 460 iron head, Chevy bellhousing pattern block, Ford flywheel.
    It rated 170 hp for 2bbl, and 190 hp in 4bbl trim. I know its a torque monster that doesn't rev too high, but its a light weight compact inline 4. I'm considering one for an FC 150 project.
    -Donny
     
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  9. Aug 13, 2016
    Mike C

    Mike C Member

    Austin, TX
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    Feb 19, 2007
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    I have a 240z that has triple Del'Lorto carbs on it replacing the stock SUs. I gave GREAT consideration to building my own intake and running the Datsun carbs on either a 153 or 181 GM which I think would be way cool.

    As far as the Merc 470 if you can fab up your own intake and exhaust and something goofy isn't going on with the flywheel should work.

    Just more difficult for accessory drive and stuff than the GM motors.
     
  10. Aug 16, 2016
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,170
    Intake on the Merc 470 is just a log manifold with a 2bbl on it-no mods needed. As for the exhaust, a cast manifold off a Ford 460 bolts on, again, no mods needed.
    The flywheel is a stock Ford part that accepts a 10 1/2" clutch. All that needs modifications are the water pump and an alternator mount.
    -Donny
     
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