John spotted this article on some unusual engine installations! Lawnmower engines in M-38A1s. Were these jeeps at the Great Willys Picnic?
https://jalopnik.com/this-wrenching-genius-installed-lawnmower-engines-into-1835417201
Here’s one example:
FROM THE ARTICLE ON JALOPNIK: The [lawnmower] engine has been mounted onto some sort of platform, which is mounted to the frame. The 670cc unit sends power from its output shaft via two belts to an intermediate jackshaft, which then transfers power via two other belts to pulleys on the input shaft of the original T-90 three-speed manual transmission.
I give the guy credit for ingenuity, but there are a lot of other swaps that I would have considered!
It actually sounds pretty good though.
These two jeeps were at the Great Willys Picnic.
I commented to my nephew that the twin engine model could easily have an “economy mode”. Just put a switch on the dash to ground the electrical on one engine, and you’d be able to turn off one engine on the highway. Unfortunately, without an electric starter, you’d have to open the hood and pull the rope starter to get out of “economy mode”.
I saw these at the picnic, and while you have to admire what went into both, they are a step too far, imo. This would have been just as impressive in a VW Passat and don’t add anything to “Willys”…. just an opinion.