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M38 a1 question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by captain cj, Jan 27, 2007.

  1. captain cj

    captain cj Member

    My buddy just picked up a 53 m38a1. it has the flathead in it I thought the m38s had the f head. Anyone have any info on this?
    Steve
     
  2. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    If it's an A1, it should have an F-head, I'm pretty sure. The round hood and fenders were designed to accommodate the taller engine.

    If you are talking about an M38 (flat fenders), that's a different story.

    Pete
     
  3. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Correct. M38A1 was F head, M38 was L head..
     
  4. captain cj

    captain cj Member

    It is a a1 and it has the L head. I guess someone changed it out. Unless early A1s had the L head.
     
  5. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Swapped out, I'm sure...
     
  6. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    :iagree:
     
  7. kaiser_willys

    kaiser_willys Well-Known Member

    i have a 1951 m38a1 think that was the first year they made them and it has the f-head in it,also have a 1955 it has flat head in it,but you gotta think these were govt jeeps if the motor blowed up they put whatever they had laying around back
     
  8. 1963cj5

    1963cj5 Member

    x2 with Kaiser_Willys own them both and have several here for parts again..everything I ever got had a F-Head.in it..
     
  9. captain cj

    captain cj Member

    I thought you might chime in Paul. I guess it was a swap out weather it was the military or other I dont know but it purrs like a kitten.
     
  10. 1963cj5

    1963cj5 Member

    Just got a 51 myself for parts again has a L-Head in it..the man that brought it to m swears its original engine until I showed him the bell housing bolts that were different sizes and they used square nuts for spacers on the tranny mount bolt..
    You need any parts let me know..P
     
  11. toolbox

    toolbox If you get bored, I've got the projects.

    Looking on EpaY, it seems like I've seen an awful lot of M38A1s with flathead motors in them. For whatever reason, it's been done a lot. When they list them as "all original" I'll sometimes shoot them a message telling them at least the motor isn't :).
     
  12. 1963cj5

    1963cj5 Member

    Hey toolbox a flat-head DID come stock in a M38A1...

    In question is weather or not they put a L-Head in them..which is not the case..ALL ORIGINAL M38A1 had the F-Head in them !!!:)
     
  13. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    L-head is a flathead. F-head isn't. ;)