Front Engine Plate

groundhog · Post by **groundhog** » Thu May 02, 2013 6:21 am

I have a 1951 M38 frame that I am installing a 1947 CJ2A engine into. I didn't realize that the front engine plate had to be changed for this to work. I sent away for an M38 front engine plate, and it looks correct. It fits the engine just fine, and the flanges are bent the right way, but it is too wide to fit my engine mount rubbers on the frame. My old plate was the correct width, but the drivers side flange bent backward instead of forward. It measured about 17 1/4" from hole to hole. This new one measures about 18 1/2". Any ideas; the place where I bought it says that it should be the right one. I'm not sure what to do next.

Post by **wesk** » Thu May 02, 2013 9:36 am

The key phrase there is "Should be the right one" instead "Is the right one".

All CJ's from 1945 thru 1971 and all Willys/Kaiser M series jeeps 41 to 71 have the same 4 cylinder engine mount spacing across the frame. The normal differences in their plates are the direction of the left ear and shaping near the fuel pump and generator and the center opening for the cam shaft.

As I said in my email, they probably sent you a Willys truck or station wagon plate.

groundhog · Post by **groundhog** » Thu May 02, 2013 10:10 am

Thanks, I will check with them to see if that could be the case.

Post by **wesk** » Fri May 03, 2013 11:39 am

I measured my mount plate today and it is 18 1/2".

To positively ID your mount plate as correct for the M38/M38A1/M170 see photo below:

Based on your email if your frame mounts in the chassis are only 17 1/4" apart between the mount pad bolt holes then it will be necessary to see a photo of the front part of the frame with both mounts in view.