Lhead replace or rebuild

Here's the problems...

Valve stuck, bent or otherwise fubar. 3 cylinders on a 60 hp 4 cylinder doesn't get you far.

I hate this bs CJ3a one of a kind starter.

I could do a quicky rebuild/valve job(haha) or replace it.

Which engines and bellhousings are the easiest swap in for a good old solenoid starter and something between 60 - 100hp?

 

I have never seen a bent valve on an L-Head. This is usually only an issue on an overhead valve, interference engine. You probably have a valve that is stuck open. Have you taken off the side cover and looked to see what you have?

 

We took off the cover and felt around. Some of the valves feel tight and some have roughly 1/16" of up and down. The #3 exhaust had about 1/4".

At the right rpm I can make the noise go away. Under load it is loud and powerless.

 

If it is stuck I can I tell and how do I fix it?

 

We took off the side cover and the problem is in the #3 cyl. Exhaust vlave has LOTS of side to side slop, maby 1/4 inch. At least I think it was the exaust.......
IMHO the motor needs a valve job, a new distributor prehaps with pertronix and A new starter for sure.
None of which would make me want to junk it and start over. Just frustrating little stuff...
Keep this little jeep as stock as possable, build the Waggoneer to do the other stupid stuff.
Just go rob a bank.
Donnie

 

I want to keep the L Head. Everything else is all original now. Once I figured out that the PO had installed the brake shoes backwards, the brakes are acceptable. Steering is slop but that works for me.

Not sure what involved yet in the valve job but shouldn't be too tough. The new sarter means...

Pull the engine. Source the correct fywheel, bellhousing and starter to replace the NOS parts I just dug up and replaced.

Anyway, it is Aggravating to say the least to replace premium price parts that are junk now.

If I keep the Lhead that is what I will do . Along with replacing this one of kind never before seen distributer with a more common one also.

 

Valve job isn't something you can do yourself, unless you are willing to spend a lot of money on equipment. A valve-in-block engine means you either have to take the block to the shop, or bring the whole car to the shop.

 

That's the easy part.

Anyway I gave it a quick look again last night. Its the 4th cylinder that is lame. Pull that wire and no change.

 

I'm having a machine shop do a valve job on my 3B , my guides were shot also, ask you machine shop if you can just bring them the whole shebang or have to dismantle the whole thing so they can do it. I figured while it was torn down for valves I mind as well throw some new rings and bearings at it.
As for the starter I heard the later model 3As used the same bellhousing and flywheel as the fhead- voila Toyo starter. I swapped from a dash push button starter to the floor button for theft reasons. Figured most crooks don't know about them.

 

Alrighty, pulled the head and looks like a blown head gasket between 3 and 4. That's easy enough. I still plan on pulling the motor to replace the bellhousing, ring gear and starter stuff. I have to get rid of the mechanical stuff. I want a button on the dash. Also gonna switch to Pertronix on Donnies advise.

So come on Dan Lets figure out the parts needed to get rid of this bs starter.