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F134 Or Dauntless V6

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by KevH, May 6, 2022.

  1. May 9, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Duffer's comment about elevation is very relevant. For example, I'm at 6000ft elevation, and I think he's about that. And , Jeeping adventures almost always are going up from here. At this elevation, you're giving up about a third of your HP on a naturally aspirated engine, and when you start out with only 75hp......
     
    Fireball, Ol Fogie and timsresort like this.
  2. May 10, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    It seems there are a lot of people defending their fours. The discussion isn't an attack on that motor but a comparison of the two. Enjoying an f head (or L head for that matter) is a personal experience that pivots more around nostalgia and the challenge than performance.

    The F is a solid motor, but technologically retarded, even at the time of it's introduction. it is a hybrid designed to squeeze a couple of ponies out of a flathead at a time when fully overhead valve engines (and their performance increases) were the norm.

    I've owned both and while the V6 is simply the better motor, lighting a fire under the 'ol 3B and taking it for a spin forced a smile on my face every time........
     
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  3. May 10, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I get the elevation difference. He said sea level though. :D I'm glad my Jeep's didn't see that. :lol: I like mine for what they are, and know what they aren't. Simple as that. :) I'll bet if he needed a tow and a Jeep with an F-head showed up he wouldn't turn it down. ;)
     
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  4. May 10, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    I like the Buick Odd Fire 225 better than the Even Fire 231 mostly because I like its rumble. I had one in a M38 many years ago and that Jeep certainly had more power at top end, and was fast enough to drive on the freeway. I don't have any complaints about these engines in a Jeep, and wouldn't mind having another.

    I don't plan on driving the Jeeps I have now on the freeway and the four bangers in my Jeeps have plenty of power at bottom end and take me where I want to go. Again, the sound of them has a lot to do with why I like them, just love the way they will growl and I like the simplicity of them, nothing more than what is needed to get the job done, and nothing on them I can't fix myself.
     
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  5. May 10, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    OK, that made me smile. But a very true statement.

    I'm not sure how that would work out Glenn. I'm old and have used most of my band width. I might die before we actually got out. But maybe you have some assisted living capacity built into your Jeep.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  6. May 10, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    The way traffic is around here I wouldn't feel comfortable even with a Dauntless. It has truly gotten crazy with some horrible and careless drivers.
     
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  7. May 10, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Had almost 9 years with the F head.
    Near 40 years now with the V6.
    I like the V6 better.
     
    Glenn likes this.
  8. May 10, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    For a moment I thought you were talking about CA,
     
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  9. May 10, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I'm 71 so I ain't no spring chicken either.
     
  10. May 10, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Last time we were there was early 2014. At that time I was actually impressed (we were passengers) with the way everyone drove on the freeways. I know that sounds crazy but at the time it went pretty smooth even though it was jam packed. Don't know about now though.
     
  11. May 10, 2022
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    I have a F134 equipped Jeep with 5.38 and overdrive. Also a 225 with 3.73 and a T14.
    I really enjoy driving the 225 more. I like the rumble, the acceleration, the being able to do a steady 55MPH and not feel like I'm overtaxing the engine. I also find the T14 with no overdrive more pleasurable to drive. It's smooth shifting and I like the long, steady acceleration in third gear.
    It all comes down to your mission. For me, if I'm going to actually drive the Jeep (and if I'm not why own it?), I need to be able to drive a steady 55. Otherwise it's stressful being overtaken constantly. Sure, the F head is able to do that down here at 600' MSL on flat roads. But the 225 does it in a much more enjoyable manner.
     
  12. May 10, 2022
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    After just completing a 45 mile country cruise at 45/50 mph on blacktop, I thought a few times I wish I wasn't pushing the engine so hard hard. T98, 5.38 gearing, and I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger on an overdrive. I love the fhead. Only had 134 powerplants so i have no real input to add other than the dauntless HAS to better in every way, shape and form.

    Would 5.38s be a good mix with a dauntless?
     
  13. May 10, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

    East Tennessee
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    Yes, the Buick V6 is an improvement for road use, probably a big improvement.

    I don't go 55 MPH where I drive a Jeep so it doesn't matter as much to me. I plan to soon make a 50 mile trip with my Jeep to a place I like to go trout fishing. I will be towing a small Popup camper, and at no point in the route do I need, or want, to go faster than 40 MPH.

    I have an overdrive I soon will install in this Jeep, but right now it is just stock F134 and T90, and while it will go 60 MPH, as is, it is screaming when it does, so 40 MPH is more comfortable with this Jeep. The overdrive will probably help this a bit, but I don't want to go 60 MPH in an 80" wheel base vehicle with a high center of gravity. I like to keep the shiny side up.
     
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  14. May 10, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    IMHO, no.
    Tire size dependent, the stock 3.73's are a good all around gear set. The biggest issue to me is the T14 1st is a bit tall for some of the more technical stuff. I switched to 4.10's and a T18. The gears are a tad low for 31's, but the compound low in the four speed really made a difference.
    I had another 71 with 4.88's and an OD. I liked that set up as well.
     
  15. May 11, 2022
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    If you're running 5.38 an overdrive is a great improvement for road driving. It made a world of difference for me. Even if you only go 45 MPH it's much smoother and quieter.
    I agree 5.38 with a Dauntless would not be ideal. You don't need that low gear given all the torque that engine has. You would lose a lot of the advantages of the engine in terms of acceleration and highway driving
     
  16. May 11, 2022
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    I have had overdrives in a couple of flat fender Jeeps which had the 5.38 gearing and they made a big improvement in road performance.

    My 67 CJ5 with the F-134 has the standard 4.27 axle ratio, so already geared high enough for better road performance compared to my current CJ2A, I am not expecting the same level of improvement with the overdrive, as compared to the lower geared Jeeps I have owned, but it should be an improvement in being able to drive at higher speed without as much strain on the engine.

    My current CJ2A does not have overdrive and it is a lot like driving a tractor down the road. The CJ2A "MB Clone" I am building will have an overdrive. I have not decided yet about the axles I will use. I have a set of military surplus M38A1 5.38 axles, which are like new, intended for this project, but depending on how well I like the higher geared CJ5 after I install the overdrive I may instead use a set of 4.27 axles I have left over from another 67 CJ5 I parted out.
     
  17. May 11, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    To help the original poster, a V6 with the T-14, 4.88s and overdrive would be a nice combination that you could drive and wheel for many years. The V6 Jeeps came with either a 3.73 or 4.88 axle ratio. I'd expect the 4.88s with short tires would be a bit deep for much highway driving, but taller tires and/or an overdrive would make a nice combo. The T-14 is an easy shifter around town ... with my Jeep so equipped, I would only use first from a standing start.

    You could upgrade to a truck 4-speed at some point, and get the very deep first gear for trail use. The 4-speeds are heavy, slow shifters and a lot more work to drive than the 3-speed.
     
  18. May 11, 2022
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Overdrive on 4.27 is like having 3.41 axles. Isn't that a bit much for the F head? I don't have a ton of throttle left at 50 mph with 5.38 and overdrive
     
  19. May 11, 2022
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    Can you elaborate? Why only use first from a standing start?
     
  20. May 11, 2022
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    With overdrive, yes.
    5.38s all I've ever driven, with both engines.
     
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