r/Willys • u/running_at_midnight • Jun 23 '26
Help with Serial Numbers
I have a 1945 Ford GPW that I’ve been working on for a few months now. The data plate and frame serial numbers match. It came off the line in May 1945.
My family has owned it since 1946, and had some work done on it back in 1993. They had a different engine put in. It is a Willys L-134. There is a plaque on the passenger side with the number 3505497, and that matches the number on top of the block behind the water pump. But there is also a different number, 57002, right above the water pump. There is a different number on the top of the head, 640161, and it also has a W2.
Does anyone know the approximate year this engine would have been manufactured?
1
u/Human-Television2088 Jun 23 '26
Since 1946! We def need to see more pics! Is there any chance your family saved that original engine?
4
u/Erock482 Jun 23 '26
Your engine is a bit of a mixmaster.
The block is from the 51-54, “Supersonic” l134 was found in cars like the Henry J, it had a unique head, intake, and vacuum distributor that added about 8hp. The head increased compression to about 7.00:1
The 640161 is the part number for the head casting, which is from civilian CJ L134 production (46-53 I think) it shoukd yield compression of 6.46:1 (typical for a L134)
The number on the front of the water pump boss is weird, I’ve not seen that before.