F 134

Build threads are always appreciated. They are entertaining and educating. It doesn't get better than that.

 

Ok, then here goes!

I had so much trouble finding a back up F134, that I decided to jump on the one I found yesterday on Facebook Marketplace.
$500.
Won't rotate.
But,,, had been rebuilt for a Jep restoration & stored inside.. but then abandoned and sold to the current owner with seven other engines of various makes and sizes.

It had features I didn't recognize so I suspected it could be a military engine. Yep. Painted olive drab and the s/n is MD97861.

I found several on-line stories about getting a stuck engine our of storage and getting it running. I hope I got one ov those!!

Will share the experience of getting both engines running again.

 

Did F heads come in intermediates? I'm thinking this whole thing belongs in another forum unless I'm mistaken.

 

Production stopped in 1971. Mine is a 1969... I'm still "early" , right?

Should I start over elsewhere, or can I be moved?

Thanks.

 

At this point, we're invested . Looking forward to your build thread. Can't wait to see what you find in your new engine!

 

So, my wife declared this engine is my 2023 Christmas present, I told her it doesn't need a bow.





I believe it's a complete engine except for a generator and an air filter. In the second picture you can make out the damage to the little domed tower on the valve rocker cover.

Very few features differ between this military (M38A1) version vs my domestic (CJ5) F134s. That may be due to PO changes it has seen; I don't know much about the military one. I have learned that the differences were driven by the army demand for a 24 VDC system (to match a lot of other army equipment), and by the engine's need to tolerate being submerged for short periods.

The only difference I can make out from the pictures (other than the olive green paint) is the addition rubber tube running down the block in the space betwren the oil pump and the fuel pump. It has to be some kind of vent or drain from an opening in the forward part of the side cover over the exhaust valve adjustment access.

In the first photo you might be able to make out an unfamiliar starter. I believe it's some kind of aftermarket superman model that promises extra starting magic. ... we'll see.

This engine included a T90-140 transmission and a Spicer Model 18 (?) two stick transfer case. These were painted industrial yellow and not bolted to the engine. I figure they are not military issue and acquired separately.

My 1969 CJ5's transfer case had a single stick. I'll be curious to dig up why this one has two and also when the change to one stick happened.

 

That is a high torque starter and a desirable upgrade.

The twin stick D18 is preferable IMHO to the single stick shifter used on some later (large hole) D18s and the D20. Folks often convert the large hole D18 to a twin stick shifter.

So, the transfer case in your 1969 could either be a "Large hole D18" or a D20. These are both desirable transfer cases.

I think the tower you referred to is on the rocker cover, commonly called a valve cover. There is no "Cam cover" on the F134.

 

Looks like a Toyota Landcruiser gear reduction starter.

 

Thanks for the valve cover note. So, what is that little tower that sticks up out of the top of the valve cover? (A bit crushed on this engine).

 

Reviewing Gear Reduction Starter I find "Higher Torque" but at lower cranking speed.
Interesting that my 1969 had a bumper cut out which I guess was for a hand crank? I try to imagine some GI in Korea trying to turn over that 4 cyl with bullets wizzing by. Point is... if it can be started with a hand crank, what's a high torque starter going to add?

 

I think I would have rebuilt the original before throwing money at another unknown engine that may need rebuilding too. But I guess 2 is better than one. I dont like the toyota starters they make your jeep sound like a toyota.

 

An F-head kept in tune will start with an OEM starter. I've never felt any reason to use anything else.

I do recall one Christmas when my six-volt Willys truck fired up at minus-30ºF. (Just barely!) I always installed new points, cap, and rotor each Fall.

 

What area? I was stationed at Beale AFB and lived in Marysville and then yuba city, years ago. Made it down to San Diego once, wish I could have visited longer but was only allowed a "6-hour" driving distance from the base. Tijuana is 6 hours away if you're driving really fast!!!

 

The “MD” in the F134 serial number shows the engine was originally from an M38a-1. The military versions have provisions for deep water fording and would have had a 24V distributor.
Yours looks to have a civillian carb and distributor.
As far as the single-lever transfer case, that was introduced in ‘64 in the CJ5A, aka, Tuxedo Park MKlV, which was F134 powered with a column shift T90. In ‘66, the single-stick became standard with the introduction of the Dauntless V6. The F134 Tux still used the small hole D18, but the V6 got the large hole case, so there were some small hole, single-stick D18’s from the factory.
-Donny

 

I have to admit feeling just a tad embarrassed when I revealed to this group that I was buying another non-running engine when I hadn't even removed my oil pan on my original. Also, since I did my jeeb build in a US Navy theme I was biased into a purchase when I saw the olive drab paint.

There just seemed to be so few F134s available at almost any price, and none (I found) with any better assurance than this one that they wouldn't also need some work. At $500, with a transmission and transfer case and a (nearly) complete engine to part out if necessary, I decided it would be pretty low $ risk.... Except that I took up half my 2 car garage and my wife has to look at it sitting there every time she parks her car. At least it's in my side of the garage.

My original starter is original (I think?) but the starter mounted solenoid failed 2x times in 5 years so I switched to a wall mount for easier access when it fails again I do want to keep my original starter.)

It's great to get these comments. It makes this forum fun for me.

 

Oh, this is a great summary!

I went searching for this info and pieced some of it together, but without dates or introduction model details. I was going to try to build a summary, but mine would have been less informed.

Thanks!

 

My daughter married a San Francisco guy and had a daughter there... It's going to be REALLY tough getting her back "home" to Pittsburgh. I kept it in the back of my mind that if I found a good F134 anywhere between PA and CA, I'd combine a road trip to CA to see her and pick up an engine.