The Willys L134 (nicknamed Go Devil) is a straight-4 flathead automobile engine that was made famous in the Willys MB and Ford GPW Jeep produced during World War II. It powered nearly all the Jeep vehicles built for the U.S. and Allies. It was later used in a variety of civilian Jeep vehicles.

History

In 1940, the Willys Quad was built to compete against the Bantam reconnaissance car for evaluation by the U.S. Army. The two prototype Quads were powered by the Willys “Go-Devil” engine that turned out to be the automaker's greatest asset. Willys' pilot vehicle was overweight compared to the Army's requirements, but the "Go Devil" engine rated at 55 hp included a heavier transmission, a combination that proved to be beneficial in the long-run for use in cross-country travel. The engine was developed by Willys' Chief Engineer, Delmar "Barney" Roos, and was the most powerful of the three prototype vehicles evaluated by the U.S. Army for production. Roos took the "less than impressive" 48 hp automobile engine and increased its performance and durability. The specifications by the Quartermaster Corps called for only 85 lb·ft of torque at the rear axle. The extra power made it the engine of choice for the U.S. Army. The engine displacement was 134.2 cuin with a 3.125 in bore and 4.375 in stroke, a very undersquare design. It was an L-head design, with valves parallel with the cylinders. Initial power output was 60 hp at 4000 rpm and 105 lb·ft of torque at 2000 rpm with 6.48:1 compression. The L134 was phased out by the F-head Willys Hurricane engine beginning in 1950.

Applications