The F-Head engine ...... interesting ......

Crazy Horse · Feb 7, 2022

I see a 1954 Kaiser Darrin sports car at auction today on the Hemmings site ..... interesting car for sure (and a lot of work to be done and parts located for this particular offering today). Anyways, they had a 6-cylnder F-Head Willys engine of 160 cubic inch displacement. Most of you probably know that the F-Head design had the intake valve 'overhead' in the engine's head while the exhaust valve was in the block, so a side-valve (or flat-head) design. Anyone here ever have any experience with an engine of this type I wonder?

Below is an article about the engines and their features, the good and the bad ones and why/how they showed up in the first place. Also info on some of the vehicles that used these engines. Interesting stuff ..... a long read but for those who have time, a well-written article followed by some discussion forum comments, etc.
The F Head Engine ..... poke here

Russ from MN · Feb 7, 2022

There is a Kaiser car here in our mobile home park in Arizona, from Canada, and unfortunately it was involved in an accident recently. It T-boned a much newer truck at very slow speed, so I doubt if it sustained any damage!

Majorman · Feb 7, 2022

Early Mk1 Land Rovers had a four cylinder version over here. I only worked on one around 60 years ago but I seem to remember it had a sloping head.

kencombs · Feb 7, 2022

I hadn't thought about those in years. Back in '60 I had a Willys Aero Eagle for a short time. Little two door hardtop coupe with the F-head 6. Neat little car but slow even for the time. Of course, I was 17 so anything not V8 was slow.

Keith True · Feb 7, 2022

We used to see quite a few of them in the junkyard in the mid-70's in Jeep wagons and pickups.I have no idea just how good they were because the engines always outlasted the bodies and frames in those things.I plowed snow with one for one winter,lots better than the little flathead four I had been plowing with.

Doug - Iowa · Feb 7, 2022

I have a couple. One in a 66 CJ and one in a military generator of the same vintage. A little different but they run good. Seem to have some of the same issues as the traditional flat head go devil engine. Most common problem I can think of is the camshafts are soft and the fuel pump lobe wears, making poor pump performance. I just block the pump opening off with a plate and put an electric pump on it. I think I have a spare one complete in the jeep pile, if anyone wants a project. I also have a spare Onan 20kW gen end to go with. I'll even load them for you. Don't everybody jump at once LOL.

37 chief · Feb 7, 2022

I had a military Jeep with the F head engine. It seemed to run ok. I have a 1936 Indian four-cylinder motorcycle with the F head motor. I guess it wasn't that good. The F head was only made for two years. May have been a heating issue. Then the company went back to the flat head. My motor runs good. Stan

Janicholson · Feb 7, 2022

My 57 CJ3B is an F head. No real issues just not a racer or mega power. It would have been better with the exhaust in the head and intake in the block. But it is operational. Jim

CaseChev · Feb 7, 2022

I have an F head in my 1953 CJ3B Willys and it runs very well and has given me no problems. Before I bought the Jeep, it was owned by the Nature Conservancy on one of their ranches in Wyoming and they spent over $4000 having the engine totally re-done. If this one goes bad, I may swap a Chev II 4cyl. from the 1960's. I have several of them in inventory.

CaseChev · Feb 7, 2022

Doug.......when you mention spare one in the Jeep pile......are you talking about a spare fuel pump or a spare engine ? I may need a spare engine. Where are you in Iowa ? Thanks

Allan

used red MN · Feb 7, 2022

Map dot shows him in Albion, about 15 miles east of Ames.

Doug - Iowa · Feb 7, 2022

Yes to both. The engine is complete as far as I know, but probably stuck. Got it as part of a deal and never did anything with it. used red MN has my location right. Email is open if you want to take the conversation offline. Thanks.

Dean · Feb 7, 2022

When 18 or so, I did a valve job on a Willys 4 cylinder F head engine.

Dean

warbaby · Feb 7, 2022

Yep, The Westlake designed Rover ''F'' head engine with a canted deck. An unnecessarily complex solution to a question no one asked!

rlp in Co. · Feb 7, 2022

That was a great site. Thanks for posting! Interesting that the hemisphere was invented in 1904 and the dual overhead cam was invented in 1914! It sure took a long time for manufacturers to use them!

John in Mich · Feb 7, 2022

Several years ago, I bought two 28 turf tires from a man who owns 2 Darrins. I did not get a ride or even hear them run. The doors were interesting by sliding into the fenders.

Doug-Iowa · Feb 7, 2022

Huh, for some reason I cannot turn the email thingy on. Just noticed it. Try dougbetts_AT_heartofiowa_DOT_net.

TomA in CA · Feb 7, 2022

When I was 17 my dad bought a 53 Willys 4x4 pickup with the 4 cylinder F head engine. Early on we had to have a guy come out and pin a crack and install an exaust valve seat insert. It went on to blow head gaskets seven more times.

We bought a 272 Ford y block v8 as a basket case. I had it bored and the crank ground and stuck it in the Jeep. I was just learning to work on stuff. I could not do that today.

It didn't work out 100% perfect but I drove it for 10 years after that.

Cliff Nelson · Feb 8, 2022

Minneapolis Moline J had an F-head 4cylinder Waukesha engine.

The F-Head engine ...... interesting ......

Crazy Horse

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Russ from MN

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Majorman

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kencombs

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Keith True

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Doug - Iowa

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37 chief

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Janicholson

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CaseChev

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used red MN

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Doug - Iowa

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