Need Help Identifying V6 In 1958 Cj5

I recently purchased a 1958 CJ5 with a V6, everything I'm reading indicates that the V6 was not available 1965, so I'm a little confused as to what motor I actually have. The previous owner said he bought the Jeep with the V6 and doesn't have any additional history. I'm having some issues with rough idle, stalling, loss of power once hot and I get to about 45 MPH... I believe it would be much easier to troubleshoot knowing exactly what engine I have. The engine is caked with dirt, making it hard to find any markings. I hesitate to clean it without being able to run it. Hoping y'all can help me out either by identifying the motor or pointing me in the right direction as to where to look. If there is a specific photo that would help, please just let me know. Thank you for your time and expertise.

 

Ayuh,...... It Looks like my Dauntless,.... same headers too,.....

Lotsa things on yer Jeep, newer than 1958,....

 

I’d continue to look for some markings/casting numbers. Mine was caked in decades of grime but I eventually found it. If I recall correctly, the casting number on mine was the on the top of the block toward the back.

 

https://www.buicks.net/shop/reference/engine_ident_where.php

Welcome. First and foremost it looks like a good dose of cleaning and general maintenance is in order.

 

Swinging pedals, hydraulic clutch, power steering, along with the V6; a lot of non-stock items. From the valve covers, it looks like it may be an odd-fire Buick. When it idles, does it make a “potato, potato, potato” sound? You”ll know what I mean if it does.
-Donny

 

Thank you all very much, I didn't expect such quick responses, thank you. Yes a lot of work ahead of me and I'm looking forward to it. I looked at the like buicks.net link but haven't found any of the markings they reference yet. I did find one marking behind the carburetor, top of the block towards the back, by the throttle linkage, not sure what it means, hoping someone here does. I also found a firing order, 165432 on the valve cover.

I'm linking a video of me starting and ideling the Jeep in the hopes hearing it will help someone here to point me down the right path.

I hate to admit but I need to order a dwell meter and a timing light (and probably a bunk of other tools before all is said and done) I'd welcome any recommendations.

Start and Idle video
https://drive.google.com/file/d/124IywyvEXxDIDdOc6XTKaG7-kgKEPar-/view?usp=share_link

Found marking



Thank you,
~mike

 

Thank you, I thought that could be the problem as well, I swapped the air and fuel filters, still sputters and stalls.

 

Clean it first then I’d start with throwing tune-up parts at it. Plugs, wires, timing set, filters.

 

I think one should actually find THE problem before changing a bunch of stuff and never knowing what that problem was or wasting a bunch of money and still be where you started. With the symptoms, there could be issues with both spark and fuel. I'd pull the plugs for starters and see what those look like. If still clean, just gap and reinstall. That would be followed by the points and yes, get a dwell meter. You can kill two birds with one stone with the digital timing lights with built in dwell capability. Setting the timing would be third on the list. The hot run problem is likely fuel related, weak pump or clogged fuel tank line inlet would be high on my list there.

 

Ayuh,..... Some years ago, I bought a digital Inova which is a tach- dwell, 'n advanceable timing light all in a really nice package,....

 

Check for vacuum leaks check/replace any vacuum line you see.

 

In my ongoing efforts to identify this engine I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I did find a casting on the intake manifold that I posted above. On the back part of the intake manifold 1351573-3. I managed to find the number list on Team Buick https://www.teambuick.com/reference/casting_numbers_v6.php if this is correct then it appears this might be a 198. I haven't been able to find any of the other casting numbers the site references so I'll ask here...

Before purchasing a service manual I want to identify with great certainty what engine this is. (trying not to cause myself anymore issues than I already have...)
Other than looking at the firing order and feeling the lobes does anyone know of a way to 100% identify an odd fire engine?
Does anyone know another resource to help identify the casting marks?
Is there any difference as far general parts, plugs, ignition, timing, capacities, basic non-rebuild stuff goes, between the 198 and 225?

Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

How's the body? Looks good under the hood. V6 and power steering is the way to go.

Remove the distributor cap, remove the rotor and look at the flats. On my Oddfire it's a series of narrow and wide flats. Agree with above post, could be the case it has the wrong distributor but probably not. Might help confirm your casting number findings.

Odd or Even 231? | ECJ5 (earlycj5.com)

Anything can cause it to run poorly.

I would start with a good cleaning, change engine oil and do a compression test. Clean tank and fresh gas. I would remove the valve covers and make sure everything is moving the way it should and no bent push rods, clean, gap plugs, check for correct fuel pressure, carb pumper test and maybe rebuild. Get a dwell meter & timing light. Set points and timing.

I would do all of this even if it's kinda running.

 

I have two casting marks that point to a 198, so I'm going with a Fireball. Removed the valse cover and there it was. Thanks for all the assistance. Now that I know what I have I need to find a service manual and start reading see if I can fix my issues.

 

A 198 will have the old Buick " nailhead" pattern at the back of the block. Typically there is some sort of adapter between it and the bellhousing.
If all it needs is a good cleaning and tune up it is a fine engine. Beyond that there is not a lot of commonality with the 225/231 and some of the parts are scarce.

 

Actually, a Buick 198 has two very identifiable “ears” around 10:00 & 2:00 at the bellhousing/block face. The Buick 215 alloy engine shares this same feature. Take a peek around the upper bellhousing and see if there are ears sticking up close to 1-1/2” high. That will confirm if you have a 198. Its kind of an orphan as it was only made for a couple years from ‘61 maybe into ‘63. They require a pretty unique bellhousing, either originally from a Buick Special, or there were aftermarket bellhousings in the mid/late ‘60s.
-Donny
edit: I looked up your casting number, 1354391, and it is confirmed as a 198 cylinder head.