CJ-2A with F-161 6 cyl

We have been looking at this jeep. Body is OK. It has a F-161 six cylinder engine. We can't find much info on the F-161 other than HP, CI and basic specs...

Is it a good engine? Wasn't used but for a couple of years....tight fit in the CJ-2a...any info appreciated..

 

i believe they were used in willys cars and not an option for the 2a

 

This is a motor installed by a previous owner for sure....It was in the cars and in the wagon for a couple of years...we were wondering if it was worth trying to get it running or would it be best to just pull it and replace it with something else..

 

Think I would try and get it running. Might be kind of fun.

 

no harm in trying to get it going first, if you decide against it later you can always find a 4cyl to throw back in there

 

You are right. We would at least have to try to make it run, and then see what we have...

Can you see that clearance between the fan and the radiator? 1/8" maybe?

 

i'm just surprised it fit, i was looking at swapping a f-161 into my 5 a year ago but i didnt think it would fit so i just waited till i found a new f-head

 

You need to move the firewall back to make an inline 6 fit in the engine bay. It's been done a lot - Studebaker 6s were popular in the day - but it's a mess compared to a V6 or another inline 4. The valve cover ends up under the cowl, and the trans/TC is shifted rearward with all the issues that entails. Ugh.

But if it's a working swap, it would be fun to get it running again. Could get expensive if the engine has internal problems. Parts for oddballs are expensive.

I would wonder if that engine is worth more out of the Jeep... you could ask on the Willys passenger car forums.

 

I think it was JP did a write up of a flattie with the 161 in it. it wasn't a factory option. But was done because it bolted up to the t90. The way I understand it basically a 6cyl f head. I would try to get it running, it just kinda kool!!!

 

^I agree with these.
It sure wouldn't be my choice for a swap, but since it's in there, try to get it running & driving!

I used to own a GPW with a Ford Falcon inline 6. The firewall was a cobbled up mess to get the engine in there...

 

I would be a bit nervous with 1/8" of fan clearence. A little flex in the frame, motor mounts, or radiator mounting will have something less than zero inches clearence. I wouldn't be spending anything more than what was needed for tune-up parts and, if that didn't get it running, it would be pulled. And since it is already cobbled, there would be a sbc replacing it.

 

The owner/seller grew up with that jeep, and he said that it's been that way as long as he can remember..I'm with you on the fan clearance, but so far it seems to have worked out. A V-6 or 8 would be the way to go. Though the body is solid going back to an L-head would be expensive...more power would be more fun anyway!

 

You can always throw an electric fan on it, or possibly remove the spacer behind the fan(if there is one) or attempt to shorten the water pump shaft. i say run it as is! you would probably replace the radiator in an engine swap anyway so no harm in killing it.

 

move the radiator forward?

 

Shortening the water pump shaft will misalign the belt between the WP pulley and crank pulley unless you made an equal adjustment to the crank pulley. An electric fan seems like a good idea to me. But I agree with everyone else, see if it'll run and go from there! And FWIW, the 161 shares the 3 1/8" bore with the Hurricane, but the stroke is 1/8" longer.

 

We will have to take this up in the Spring. If the jeep is still out in that field it's under over a foot of snow. The good news is the jeep is relatively warm, as the air temperature is 15 below....I'm hoping the seller towed it inside.

 

We purchased a Frankenjeep that had a Ford 200 I-6 installed. We heard it was from a Maverick, but Falcon sounds more likely. It was quite spry and an improvement in performance. It was fun, I enjoyed it. Just a real hack job on the install. I'd play with with it first, a Willys six is unique and has to sound cool, too. Nice find!