Projects Willys Go Devil (L134) In A Model A

For some time I have thought that a Willys “Go Devil” (Flathead 134 CI) might be a good swap into a Model A. I own both a 1948 Willys Jeep which has the Go Devil motor in it and I also own a 1928 Model A Roadster pickup. Stock Model A motor is 200 CI 40 HP in stock form. They also vibrate pretty bad. The Go Devil is 60 HP and smooth as butter. The Willys transmission is a very good 3 speed with 2nd & 3rd synchronized.
Obviously, visualizing the idea is easy for me since I have both but the average Joe (not you wise and well informed gentleman of course) would be easily fooled because the Go Devil is still a flathead 4 Banger (yes, there are differences of course, I’m talking about the similarities). The Go Devil cylinder head does say Willys or Jeep on it but that could be milled off, or, a “Sonic” head from a Kaiser passenger car could also be used. Who wouldn’t think that a Model A Banger with a Sonic head on it was cool?

 

I like that idea! Go for it. Good luck.

Pat

 

Why not ?? I have several old flat fender Willys unrestored and my 1953 Willys CJ3B which of course has the newer F head configuration. Maybe look for an ultra rare Hickey aluminum head !! Somewhere in a folder, I have a "little books" article about a Vic Hickey build of an old flat fender.....not sure what other mods they did. I think it was used as a sand dune racer at the time. Sounds like a great project and surely a nice dependable conversation piece. Have fun.

 

I just did a Willys 134 L-head in my Henry J (stock mill) and 68hp never looked so good!

 

I always thought a 110 Offy midget engine would be neat in a Model A. Back in the 70's you could pick them up cheap. De-tuned it would probably still put out 100 hp.

 

And you can get factory OD trans for it if you want one.
I wouldn’t mill squat off the head. Run that Willys with pride

 

Great looking Go Devil.....what is that cylinder head.....it looks aluminum ?

 

I’ve got a low compression industrial head if you want to supercharge it

 

The only thing I would wonder about is the usable torque with the smaller displacement. Do you happen to know the weights of the respective vehicles?

 

If you get a wartime head, it won’t say Willys. If you get one out of a GPW it will have an ‘F’ on it since it was made by Ford! Go for it!

I just put an MB together with an L-134. Great little motors!

 

2100 lbs.