Finally gone home!

[lrmike]

=D> Finally, the 1941 Ford GPW that's been resident in my driveway, either in whole or pieces, since before November last year is home!  The happy owner drove it home today, large grin prominent!  :D

The Jeep belongs to a local enthusiast who has had it for about 3 years now. The rough progression:
Original motor locked up.  The valves siezed in the block.
This was replaced by a remanufactured engine, which the shop who did the install could not get started (more on this in a minute).
Another enthusiast got it running for him.  Driven less than 200 miles (severe wobble in front end) and oil line blows out on engine.
The owner thought it was the trans had blown apart, as it had been making alot of noise.
He asked me to rebuild the trans (I had done another '43 jeep for him previusly).  Even after I pointed out the oil line, he had me do trans and t-case.
Installed freshly done units - Jeep wouldn't start.  Could not even turn by hand!  An inspection revealed that the rebuild had been built wrong - the thrust clearance was non existant!  No shims!
Rebuild engine with new (warrantied) crank kit and gears.  Repaired numerous bodges from the rebuild and the old install.
FINALLY got it together this weekend!   =D>  =D>

Now home to be enjoyed!

(More pics in my photo section)

[muddyweb]

That looks like fun !!!

[Colin 009]

Awesome rebuild, Looks like new. 8)

[Skywalker]

Nice work Mike  8)     Well done  

Dave

[lrmike]

That looks like fun !!!

It's a blast!  Makes me want an 80" even more!
Thanks guys - it was a LOT of hours!

[Range Rover Blues]

Is that the original Bantam engine then?  you don't see too many of them over here as the Jeeps often outlasted the engines.

Top Trivia, I have it on good authority that the 'A' series engine (Austin Somerset, Mini etc) was originally designed as a replacement engine for the Jeep and that's what a lot of them still have when you see them at shows in the UK.

[lrmike]

Original engine.  Not the original that was in the truck from the beginning, mind.  With the military, that was gone long ago.  It is correct for the truck.  They got a bit confusing, as the early engines had 'WILLEYS' cast into the head, even on a Ford built truck.  The Ford GPW was basically the same just minor differences in the body (the rear lockers, for example)
Don't really know about the Austin engine, but would make sense as many of these trucks were used and serviced in Europe.
To be a concours resto, this would have had to have all 'F' script bolts, and 'Ford' script parts.  Doesn't have the embossd tailgate, but still a correct Ford built unit.

[Range Rover Blues]

I understand there are differences in the transmission too, like the Willeys had a biscuit type CV joint in the front swivels whereas the Ford (and was it GM?) ones had UJs.  And something about the 4WD system too, did it have a sprag clutch like the very early series 1 LR?

[lrmike]

Yep, you're right about the front driveshafts, the t-case, at least on the 2 I've done, did not have asprag, and I don't remember a reference to one in the parts diagrams or repair manuals.  We are talking a 1 way clutch when we say sprag, right?  or is this going to be a bonnet vs hood, boot vs trunck thing?  :)

The 4x4 is very similar to a series, except instead of yellow knob down, it's left lever forward.  Insides are almost the same.  Can't engage low range unless the front is locked, either.

It is pretty remarkable working with one of these to see the similarities between it and the early LRs.  Very obvious the reverse engineering that went on!

[Range Rover Blues]

Yes the sprag is a sort of free-wheel (used on some starter motors too), I wasn't sure if the idea came from the Jeep though, but a lot of the successful elements of the Jeep were used on the original LR.  I think reverse engineering is a very polite phrase :D  but hey if it's not bust don't fix it.  
The original LR was intended to get Rover cars out of a financial hole using the aluminium they were getting in place of the steel they needed and gaining export sales.  It was never intended to stay in production quite so long.

Proves the original formula was a winner though