Flathead V8 in a GPW

[rob love]

I put a buick V-6 into an M38A1Cdn3 back in the 80s. It was VERY fast. I used Novak adapters, so actually putting the engine into the jeep was not a big issue. The firewall did not have to be changed and the driveshafts remained the same length. However, the shackles had to be raised so the shaft would clear the starter, and the steering box had to be changed out to a later CJ5 steering system. As well, the oil filter had to be changed to a remote filter for clearance.

Did I mention that it was fast? I could beat a vette across the intersection.....you started in 2nd and 0-30mph and you were pressed back into the seat the whole way. But after about 35, and a shift into 3rd and it was a very different picture. Slow like a jeep and top speed of 60mph.

Cross country performance was also amazing. It could climb hills that no other truck could do. After jumping over one particularly long and steep hill, the front diff snapped internally on landing. Even in two wheel drive the jeep could go up that hill again and again while a Ford Bronco could not make it up, even with 4 wheel drive.

In the end, I sold it for less than if I had left the 4 cylinder in it. I bought it back cheap a number of years later after the transmission had torn all it's synchros out. But my heart just wasn't into that truck anymore so I fixed the transmission and resold it.

The Flathead Ford sounds like a retro idea, but Go-devil engines are not that hard to find, and are dead simple to rebuild. If you want a bit more horsepower, a hurricane is almost a drop in, with the exception of needing a shorter carb or else a hood scoop. A jeep will always be worth more in stock form than hot-rodded.