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47 Flattie w/ supersonic L-Head

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by bnorth10, Oct 11, 2007.

  1. bnorth10

    bnorth10 Wicked Willys Customs

    I just purchased a 47 on a farm auction last weekend. It is literally a barn find dream. It has set inside a brick barn since 91. The guy had done a pretty good job of restoring it in the late 80's to original. It is in very good condition w/ a white soft top. The engine tag says it is a supersonic. I am a Willys fanatic but arent theese engines pretty rare. Obviously it is not the original engine as it has a Kaiser tag on it but neat anyway.

    Before the auction, they got it out put new fluids in it and it started right up and runs good. It shifts fine and runs down the road great but smokes pretty bad. I put some sea-foam in it and have started it every day or so and ran it down the road on about a half-hour trip.

    Any ideas on smoking, I dont know condition because the gentleman that had it is gone. I assume rings but any tricks or ideas after it has set so long???


    Thanks,

    Bryan
     
  2. jeepfreak81

    jeepfreak81 When in Doubt, Pedal out!

    Seafoam will cause smoking until it burns through the system, was it smoking before the Seafoam?
     
  3. bnorth10

    bnorth10 Wicked Willys Customs

    Yes,

    It was smoking before and that is why I put it in. But I have only ran it about a half hour or so since putting it in and worked it a little on a gravel road w/ some hills. It had not been started since it was put away in 1991 but it does seem to smoke pretty good when you give it some throttle. It has a oil smell or odor to it.


    Thank you,

    Bryan
     
  4. w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Sounds like stuck and/or broken rings, very common for an engine that sat for a long time.

    I'd suggest doing a leak-down test, or at the very least take compression readings from all four cylinders. Then you squirt some oil into one cylinder at a time and take readings again. If the numbers come up substantially, the rings aren't sealing as well as they should.
     
  5. neptco19

    neptco19 That guy....

    The supersonics are rarer than the standard engine. Supposed to make a little more compression than the standard L head..equalling a couple more horsepower.

    I may have missed it but what color is the smoke? white or blue?
     
  6. bnorth10

    bnorth10 Wicked Willys Customs

    I think the smoke is bluish in color and has an oil smell to it. But honestly I have only ran it for maybe a total time since it has been stored about 45 minutes or so. Would putting any restore or some kind of lubricant possibly help it or just do the compression test????

    Bryan
     
  7. CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Get some snake oil from the traveling salesman.
     
  8. Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    I'd start with a compression or leakdown test. Then you might try adding some marvel mystery oil and repeat it.
     
  9. CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Let me clarify my statement.. Any oil additives are nothing more than "snake oil" . They are not going to fix anything. Those engines are pretty easy and cheap to rebuild. Whenever you get a chance like this winter, I would just tear it down and rebuild it.
     
  10. GaryArf

    GaryArf New Member

    To really know what you got, put the Jeep under a load untill it's good and hot. Work it for a hour dragging or pulling something to put a load on it. Alot of these Jeeps that were rebuilt never get a good workout and do a lot of idling. These run rich to begin with alot of crap loads up in the exhaust. After the work out do a compression check.
     
  11. bnorth10

    bnorth10 Wicked Willys Customs

    Thanks for the advice guys,

    I will do as stated.


    Bryan