Late 1944 GPW assembly

[bluebluejays]

Hello,

My question is - did late war Ford GPW factory assemblies have some Willys MB engines installed as new production vehicles?

Thanks in advance,

Ken

[70th Division]

Hello,

My question is - did late war Ford GPW factory assemblies have some Willys MB engines installed as new production vehicles?

Thanks in advance,

Ken

Hello Ken,


Update :

Very early GPWs did use 'Willys" type blocks made by Wilson, and Ford stamped them like GPW engines.
These were used in regular production, and was done until Ford made their own frames and engines, mainly in very early 1942 ...

However, according to Tom W, in the below links, Ford did use additional Wilson blocks in 1943 and through out production, in limited batches, and also as replacement blocks.

So there is some interesting information out there, that could use more research.

Do you have a later Wilson block ?

Best Regards,
Ray

[Klaas]

I read somewhere here on the G that Ford did use occasionally Willson blocks throughout production to supplement their own production.
Will have to check that tomorrow.

[bluebluejays]

Thanks and please advise!

[Klaas]

Hi Ken, a quick google on "g503 wilson block in gpw" yielded this result: viewtopic.php?t=140517 and viewtopic.php?t=36151 . Tom W is no longer on this forum, but he can be reached on facebook, I believe.
Good luck with your research.

[Adam]

I have had some later ford blocks with "factory ford stamped numbers" on them. Full of ford internals. engine date code was in line with ford serial number. Not an everyday occurance but they are out there. Key is making sure engine date code matched ford serial number time and verifying stamped serial number is original and not from some shop and that oval pad was not ground down for a new number to go on.

ADam

[bluebluejays]

Thanks guys,

I am looking at a July 1944 Ford GPW with correct serial data plate, chassis and tub numbers. The engine is MB552145 with a casting date code of 1-24 and a correct Willys head.
Could this engine have been installed at the factory which is the basis of my initial question?

Regards to all,

Ken

[dpcd67]

Absolutely not; if it had been, it would not have an MB number on it. It was installed later, because Ford blocks are thinner and always crack.

[Klaas]

I agree with DPCD on this. If the Wilson block had been there from the factory, it would have a GPW serial number on the pad and not a MB number.
You have a replacement engine (just like me), which is fine. Just not factory installed from new.

[bluebluejays]

Thanks again, folks!