I just won a 1955 Willys pickup on that computer auction website. Here's my question: What kind of rpm can these inline six 226 Continental engines handle on a sustained basis? The freeways around here are dangerous at 55. I'm pretty sure that beast has 5.38 rear gears and no overdrive. I don't mind pushing it, but I don't want to have a conrod poking out of the oil pan any time soon either. (I had an F-Head in a 1954 Jeep when I was in my late teens that would take bursts of 4000 rpm all day long -- but these are two completely different engine families.) I found a link here on the possibility of speed parts: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132810&highlight=willys+continental But I didn't see anything on reliability at speed. Also, does anyone have experience or references on rebuilding one of these? I'm mostly after reliability. If I want more power I'll just put in a small-block, but I'd rather not spend that if I don't have to.
The continental 6 is pretty pricey to rebuild. I have one in my forklift. It cost me 2500 to do it, and the guy F'd it up. I'm out the 2500, plus the 1400 to buy a runner. They are good motors, buildable 120 over in the bore and 80 on the crank. Not a speed demon, but 3000 rpm's wont hurt it. I'm sure you can go faster, but my forklift gets squirrely at 30 mph. From the guy that has built them for 35 years, "they are bomb proof" I wish I knew him when I had mine rebuilt..
Continental 6? Is that another name for the Super Hurricane 226? If so, they're about bullet proof - get an OD for the transfer case & run it!
Yes, Super Hurricane 226. Good to hear -- thanks! It has a PTO-driven winch, so that hole is tied up. I guess that is a mixed blessing.
Interesting. Thanks for teh details. I wonder what makes them so expensive to rebuild. Parts didn't seem that bad. I'm going to flat-tow it home next weekend. I'm learning more and more as I go along and here are some of the websites I've collected so far... Engines: http://www.offroaders.com/tech/jeep/engine-factory-guide.htm Swaps: http://www.offroaders.com/tnt/13.htm Old Pics: http://www.vintagejeeps.net/net_vintagejeeps/gallery.asp#5 Some Engine Specs: http://www.jeeptech.com/engine/hurricane226.html Tech plus gallery and other: http://www.public.asu.edu/~grover/willys/ http://www.walcks4wd.com/pickup/pickup_02.html http://www.willysoverland.com/index.php http://www.advanceadapters.com/
Like most of the rest of their breed, these were small bore, long stroke engines. Their forte is low speed torque. most were rated for torque at the 1150 to 1250 RPM area. Horsepower was rated almost universally at 3600 RPMS. Generally 3600 is considered the max operating RPMS. Depending on gearing, your motor will probably turning 3100 to 3250 at 60. They should run all day at this RPM. Chrysler used to pull random engines off the line and bench test them for 50 hours at 3600. Very few failures were encountered. I have a MOPAR flat 6 with a 4:11 rear. I usually drive state higways at an indicated 55 -60 but will occasionally jump on the superslab and run 65-70 for a few miles. Gotta remember that the average speed on all highways when these cars were built was probably 45 MPH. But a refreshed engine sould run at 3200 all day, everyday, for a long time. If an od is out of the question look at upgrading your rear end for a more modern one with a 3.23 or 3.55 ratio. Then 60 will be at 2800 or so. Remember Continental also built aircraft engines, so they have their engineering and metalurgical shit together. Engines were also used by Kaiser Frazer, so check those sources for rebuildand parts chasing information.
I'd get an electric winch & put an overdrive in the thing... Of course, you might be lucky enough to find an early (pre-'50?) overdrive - that went on the back of the transfer case & was built by Borg-Warner - same OD as on most 40s-60s cars. Only used in 2WD, of course, but it would be better than nothing!
The Jalopy Journal
