GPW serial numbers on frame (left frame rail by shock mount, near fuel pump)
start and end with a star to ensure that one has uncovered the WHOLE number.
Eugene's serial number is a partial one so he should keep looking. Examples
*GPW4* *GPW119000*. After the " *GPW" the number can be anywhere from 1 to
6 digits long. The Willys MB numbers were always 6 digits starting with
MB100001.
GPW engines apparently left the factory with a serial number matching the
jeep's serial number. Replacement GPW engines apparently were without serial
numbers and were stamped with the jeep's number when installed.
Willys MB engines were used on a variety of vehicles and special machines
and so their serial numbers did NOT match the vehicle's serial number.
Willys engines were pre-numbered, and then assigned to vehicles. Probably
the ONLY way to know if your MB engine is the factory original one for your
MB jeep is if it is a Canadian contract jeep from 1942 as the special brass
data plates on the dash list:
* the vehicle model "W-LU 440-M-PERS-1" on MB Chassis (actually Willys
factory customized MBs for Canadian Army as the serial numbers are part of
the MB serial number sequence, though Ray Cowdery chose to omit them from
his sn lists in his All American Wonder books even though he was provided
with many of the numbers)
* the serial number
* the contract number - "CDLV 242" or "CDLV 505" Note though 500 were
bought on CDLV 241 for Home Defence use, none have been found marked this
way and I now believe the CDLV 242 marking was used for both 241 and 242
contracts. The CDLV 505 data plates actually appear to be CDLV 242 data
plate with the 242 ground off and the number 505 stamped in.
* the engine serial number (I have located a few Willys MB Canadian Contract
jeeps with matching engines/dash data plates/frame tag serial numbers. Most
jeeps in military service went through at least one engine swap in the
military. It was faster for the military to switch an engine and then work
on the problem engine later at their leisure, rather than hold the whole
vehicle out of action.)
Wartime MB/GPW engine serial numbers are on a flat metal surface on the
right (starboard) side near the front corner of engine behind the oil filter
(a dumb place but there it is!). Post-war civilian jeeps tended to have the
serial number on a flat surface on the front of the engine, just above the
water pump.
===========================.
-----Original Message-----
From: Todd Paisley <paisley@erols.com>
To: Eugene PANTANO <snoshu@market1.com>; Military Chat Group
<mil-veh@skylee.com>
Date: Friday, August 13, 1999 1:17 PM
Subject: [MV] GPW
>> Hi All..Just hauled a GPW home. It was titled as a 1945 Jeep. Totally
wrong--I know. Here is what it is. Serial number on frame.... GPW
81208(star)....there is a star stamped in where a 6th number should be.
>The head is marked with the "f" and GPW. Engine numbers on the block
(passenger side) are 341087-L-W4-AN1-CR-N2. The bodd behind the oil filter
is blank--no numbers. The vehicle is pretty much all there with all F marked
undercarriage. What year is it?? What does the star signify?? Thanks in
advane..1SG PANTANO
[Todd Paisley had replied] ...
>If you look carefully, there should be another star on the frame near the
serial number.
>
>Engine is a post war civilian block.
>
>Todd Paisley
===
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