DIGITAL MAGAZINE 8 Jeep, the Jeep grille and related logos, vehicle model names and trade dress are trademarks of FCA US LLC and used under license by Premium & Collectibles Trading Co ltd. ©2021 FCA US LLC. CONTENTS THE JEEP STORY ® 1 AN EPIC ENGINE THE JEEP Brand ® 6 TOWARDS NEW HORIZONS © 2021 YOUR COLLECTION Editorial Manager: Phil Hunt Eaglemoss Inc. Build the WIllys MB Jeep® Design Manager: Caroline Grimshaw 315 West 36th Street is available by monthly subscription. 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THE JEEP® STORY AN EPIC ENGINE AN EPIC ENGINE ▲ A Willys L134 “Go Devil” engine The success of the famous “Go Devil” in the engine compartment of a 1942 Willys MB Jeep . engine had its origins in the 1920s. ® o a large extent, the success the Willys- Using the “Go Devil” on the Willys Quad Overland prototypes had over their prototype (and subsequently on the Jeep® MA T rivals from Bantam and Ford was down and MB) was something of a gamble for the to the superiority of their engine, the “Go Willys-Overland technical team (led by Delmar Devil”. Its cubic capacity (134.2 cu in, 2.2 l) was “Barney” Roos). The greater cubic capacity slightly larger than that of its rivals (122 cu in, offered better performance (25% more power 2 l), but it wasn’t sufficiently superior to and almost 50% more torque), but the engine account for the substantial difference in weighed significantly more than its rivals. This performance, or even the power output, forced the team to increase the dimensions of which turned out to be the deciding factor the vehicle’s entire structure. The result was for the Willys-Overland prototype during that the Willys Quad prototype which was the trials. presented for comparative testing at Holabird 1 THE JEEP® STORY AN EPIC ENGINE was decidedly overweight in comparison with Quad’s excess weight was compensated for its two competitors. The Willys-Overland by extra power (60 bhp at 4,000 rpm) and technicians, much like those from Bantam and greater engine torque (105 lb/ft at 2,000 rpm) Ford, were convinced with respect to both that the 1,300 lb (590 kg) Bantam’s Continental limit set by the army for The Willys Quad, with BY4112 (112 cu in, 45 bhp the new vehicle’s unladen its 2,450 lb (1,111 kg), at 3,500 rpm and 86 lb/ft weight wasn’t technically at 1,800 rpm) and the realistic. However, the was significantly heavier. engine on the Pygmy Willys Quad, with its (119.7 cu in, 42 bhp at 2,450 lb (1,111 kg), was significantly heavier 3,600 rpm and 84 lb/ft at 1,500 rpm). than the Bantam BSC (1,840 lb / 834 kg) However, in reality it wasn’t just the power and the Ford Pygmy (2,150 lb / 975 kg). The of the “Go Devil” and its engine torque that enabled the Jeep® prototype to shine: this engine’s secret was actually its fine tuning. In other words, the balance it achieved between its power output and its operational regularity and smoothness. Indeed, the “Go Devil” wasn’t more technically advanced than its competitors, especially since the original design dated back to the mid-1920s, and it was a long-stroke engine that had a timing system with side valves. More precisely, the original engine was also the first example of downsizing, because the Willys-Overland vehicle it was originally used in, the 1926 Whippet, was developed to compete with Ford’s Model T, which was extremely popular at the time. ◀ A US Army mechanic works on the engine of a Willys MB. 2 THE JEEP® STORY AN EPIC ENGINE Indeed, this vehicle was a veritable “Go Devil”. It was a “European” style four- institution, despite being somewhat cylinder engine, with a cubic capacity of just outdated, and it was available at a very 134.2 cu in (2.2 l) but capable of generating competitive price. Its engine’s cubic capacity 35 bhp. The engine was more compact, was approximately but had a much more 177 cu in (2.9 l) and it responsive acceleration boasted around 20 bhp. The original engine and pickup; it was also To compete directly was also the first example more reliable than the with the Model T, engine on the Model Willys-Overland of downsizing. T. This was largely introduced the Whippet, thanks to the water a more modern vehicle with a longer being circulated by a centrifugal pump (as wheelbase than the T (and therefore more opposed to a thermosyphon) and to a forced passenger space) and a line-up of bodies that lubrication system. were significantly more elegant. The engine At the end of the 1930s, the Whippet developed by the car manufacturer for the engine, which had undergone a series of Whippet series was the precursor to the modifications, was still being used on the The various auxiliary parts of the Willys MB Jeep® engine were the same as those installed upon request for the Ordnance Department, including on the larger trucks. 3 THE JEEP® STORY AN EPIC ENGINE ▶ The qualities of the “Go Devil” were often highlighted in wartime ads. Model 77, a line of compact cars produced by Willys-Overland. However, it was starting to show its age compared to some of its competitors – in particular, its performance levels were no longer meeting the standards expected for the time. It is also worth adding that the needs of American drivers had changed, and the reliability of the Willys-Overland engine – deemed to be excellent by mid- 1920s’ standards – was starting to develop problems when running at high speed for extended periods. By the end of the 1930s, engine reliability had become especially important in light of the improvements to the US road network. seizing, seizures which, if the engine was kept And so it was that, in 1939, before being at maximum power for any longer, could used on the Willys Model 39 sedan, Roos gave result in the plain bearings melting. Once the Willys four-cylinder a complete makeover. Roos had carried out the initial modifications Not only was the power increased from 45 to – which included redesigning the lubrication 60 bhp and the engine torque increased to system, installing new and more efficient plain 105 lb/ft but, above all, its reliability was also bearings, and adding aluminum alloy pistons improved. The original engine could generate rather than steel ones – the engine’s power a maximum power of 45 bhp at 3,400 rpm for increased to 49 bhp at 3,600 rpm. This could only 22 minutes before the cylinders started be sustained for 50 consecutive hours before 4 THE JEEP® STORY AN EPIC ENGINE any problems arose. On this occasion, the vehicles, and it was reproduced by the French problems involved the valves which, having manufacturer Hotchkiss for its Jeep® vehicles, been in operation for such a period of time, both civilian and military. From the mid- tended to burn. 1950s through 1966, it was used for military Following further modifications to the generators and, as well as being used on all cooling system (the civilian Jeep® vehicles engine had side inlet This engine, renamed as the from 1945 through 1954, and exhaust valves, it was also employed on incorporated into the “Go Devil”, had a long and the Jeep® DJ-3A (the engine block), the engine prolific life. two-wheel drive models) was able to operate up until 1964. at full power without Its descendent, the issue for 100 consecutive hours, generating F-134 (72 bhp at 4,000 rpm), developed by 60 bhp at 4,000 rpm. This engine, which was Roos in the latter half of the 1940s, used the also used on the Willys 441/442 Americar “Go Devil” engine block with just a few minor (L-134, 134.2 cu in, compression ratio 6.48:1) modifications, plus a completely revamped and renamed as the “Go Devil”, had a long timing system. A new cylinder head was also and prolific life. Indeed, it was used on the added, which had inlet valves in the head Willys Americar until 1942 (the year in which and side exhaust valves. This engine, called civilian vehicle production was suspended), the “Hurricane”, was used on the Jeep® CJs and was also employed on the Willys Quad, that were produced in the United States until MA, and MB 4x4s as well as on all the Willys 1971. The unit had originated in the “Roaring military Jeep® “flat fenders” up until 1952. Twenties” and went into retirement fifty years The same engine was also built by Ford under later at the height of the “Space Age” – now license for the GPWs and the GPA amphibious that’s what you call longevity! The “Go Devil” was also installed on two-wheel drive civilian vehicles during the early 1960s.