Willys Lightning engine

The '''Lightning engine''' is a Willys straight-6 produced in the 1940s and 1950s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Car Willys MB: car specifications and history of creation |url= https://autoclassics.us/e/history-willys-mb/ |website=en.autoclassics.us |access-date=8 September 2025}}</ref> The flathead engine featured four main bearings and solid valve lifters.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://autohistorypreservationsociety.org/1949-willys-models-described-in-detail/ |title=1949 Willys Models Described In Detail |website=autohistorypreservationsociety.org |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

The engines were used in the Willys Jeep Station Wagon, other Jeep-based vehicles, and Willys sedans.

==L148== The '''L148''' version displaced {{convert|148.5|cuin|L|2}} and was rated at {{convert|70|hp|kW PS|0|}}.<ref name="Allen-227"/> This was the smallest displacement six-cylinder engine when introduced in 1947 in the Willys Station Wagon.<ref name="Allen-227"/> The bore was {{convert|3|in|mm|0|}} and its short {{convert|3.5|in|mm|0|adj=on}} stoke enabled the engine to achieve high revolutions given its flathead design.<ref name="Allen-227">{{cite book|url= https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jeep_Collector_s_Library/zTsAbTJB5RIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Willys+Lightning+engine&pg=PA227&printsec=frontcover |page=227 |title=Jeep Collector's Library |first=Jim |last=Allen |isbn=9780760319796 |publisher=MotorBooks |date=2004 |via=Google Books |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

Applications: * 1947-1950 Willys Jeep Station Wagon * 1948 Willys-Overland Jeepster<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.kaiserwillys.com/about-willys-vehicles-jeepster-vj |title=About Willys Vehicles - Jeepster (VJ) |website=kaiserwillys.com |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

==L161== The '''L161''' version displaced {{convert|161|cuin|L}} and was rated at {{convert|75|hp|kW PS|0|}}.<ref name="1953-Areo-brochure">{{cite web|url= https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/jeep/53w/bilder/5.jpg |title=1953 Willys Aero (brochure) |website=lov2xlr8.no |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref> Introduced in April 1950, the engine featured a higher compression ratio of 6.9 to 1, and a larger {{convert|3.125|in|mm|0|adj=on}} bore.<ref name="Allen-227"/><ref name="1953-Areo-brochure"/>

Applications: * 1950-1951 Willys Jeep Station Wagon * 1950 Willys-Overland Jeepster * 1952-1955 Willys Aero-Lark<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=VVYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40&dq=Willys+Lightning+engine&hl=en |page=40 |title=A World-Famous Family: each a leader in its field (advertisement) |magazine=Life |date=29 September 1952 |volume=33 |issue=13 |via=Google Books |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref> * 1953-1955 Willys Aero-Falcon<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=KUkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA142&dq=Willys+Lightning+engine&hl=en |pages=143-143 |title=Two things Willys is known for (advertisement) |magazine=Life |date=27 April 1953 |volume=34 |issue=17 |via=Google Books |access-date=17 September 2025}}</ref>

==Replacement== The F-head Hurricane engine was introduced in 1950, a significant upgrade to the Lightning. The valve configuration was changed for better power and efficiency. In 1954, the 6-226 "Super" Hurricane was introduced.

==References== {{reflist}}

Lightning Category:Straight-six engines Category:1940s automobile engines