engine block of first 200

Feb, 1942 - GPW1 thru end of first contract, April, 1942 - GPW15000 NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
Post Reply
waldi
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 163
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:27 am
Location: Germany

engine block of first 200

Post by waldi » Thu Oct 29, 2015 11:42 am

Hello G,
what kind of engine block got the first 200 build GPW ? Ford block - Willys block
And what kind of colour were they painted? Ford in grey - Willys in olive
Did Ford also use Willys gear boxes ?
There are a few interchangeable parts that I've seen on VEP's like leaf springs or front fenders.
Does someone know something about factory fitted GPW with those parts ?

Hope somone can help,
Dirk
Ford GPW ; DoD Aug.30.1943 ; original data plates
frame #140334


User avatar
Michael O.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6131
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:29 am
Location: The Great State of Nebraska

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by Michael O. » Sun Nov 01, 2015 6:03 pm

As far as engines blocks go, I would suggest that the "first 200" came with Wilson blocks, stamped with a GPW serial number. They would have been painted grey, per Ford specs. I've seen many low number (3 digit) GPW blocks and they have all been Wilson.

The earliest Ford produced block that I know of is GPW 2263. Not scientific, I know.
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861

gpwmke
G-Brigadier General
G-Brigadier General
Posts: 2010
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 4:13 pm
Location:

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by gpwmke » Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:50 am

Hi Michael, Sent you an email. Best wishes; Leo

waldi
G-Sergeant Major
G-Sergeant Major
Posts: 163
Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:27 am
Location: Germany

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by waldi » Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:08 am

Hi Michael,
I agree to you !
But what happend with other parts when Ford produced the first Jeeps. Did they used Willys transfer / transmissions or axles and steering boxes.
I think when Ford began with job one there weren't much Ford parts to assemble a complete Jeep and production had to grow up fast. So are there any date codes on those parts to determinate there production ?
At Tom's site you can read that Ford tested a lot of engines with the result of some changes in production, but what happend with the other parts ?


Dirk
Ford GPW ; DoD Aug.30.1943 ; original data plates
frame #140334

User avatar
Michael O.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6131
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:29 am
Location: The Great State of Nebraska

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by Michael O. » Mon Dec 28, 2015 5:35 pm

My Feb '42 GPW has Spicer axles...which are normally dated but I don't know what mine are dated at this time. Spicer axles are common on very early GPW's. I suspect that they are original to my vehicle. I believe it has a Ross steering box also. Not sure how to date these, if at all. I can't guarantee its original to the jeep though but I know other early GPW's have been found with Ross steering gear installed. My transmission is an early right hand fill GPW case and the transfer case is Ford also.

I have an early Ford factory serial numbered block. It's *GPW 2263*... so we know at some point early on Ford was producing their own blocks. I believe at this time that it's the earliest known Ford produced block.
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by Chuck Lutz » Tue Dec 29, 2015 8:42 am

I have a pic of the boss with "(star)GPW<->547(star)" on it and it is a Wilson block.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

User avatar
Michael O.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6131
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:29 am
Location: The Great State of Nebraska

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by Michael O. » Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:47 pm

Yes, Chuck. I think that block belongs to my friend Joel Brodd. I have a Wilson block with *GPW 477*.
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861

User avatar
Chuck Lutz
Gee Addict
Posts: 26829
Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
Location: Jeep Heaven

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by Chuck Lutz » Wed Dec 30, 2015 8:40 am

Here is a clue to what Ford used on even the first GPWs.....if it has a "GP" part number then Ford already had that part in stock for the GPW.
Axle assemblies come to mind here....prop shafts also.
Chuck Lutz

GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947

User avatar
Michael O.
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6131
Joined: Wed Feb 26, 2003 12:29 am
Location: The Great State of Nebraska

Re: engine block of first 200

Post by Michael O. » Thu Dec 31, 2015 2:45 pm

The axle tubes were different between the GP and GPW (at least on the front axle) but the differential carrier was the same, hence the GP part number cast on the "pumpkin".

Some very early GPW's had Spicer axles.
Michael O’Connell

Too many jeeps…and a Dodge.

MVPA 13861


Post Reply

Return to “VEP Ford GPW”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 43 guests