Does anybody have Knowledge of M715’s?

[Lonesome7.3]

This is a truck my wife found for sale. I have always wanted one of these in original trim. The truck is complete and runs. Even though it is not the diesel version, I am willing to settle for it. One problem I have is I do not think that it has the original engine. I have done some research and the original gas straight six is easily recognizable. But, I want to get verification first. I have seen these in much worse shape going for much more than the $2000 asking price. We are of course trying to work him down lower because of the very poor luck we have experienced lately. But I do not want to let this truck slip away either. Well, shoot me what information you all can. And please confirm or correct my assumption of that being the wrong engine.

[75K30]

Looks like that old Kaiser actually drives huh?
That configuration 715 replaced the M37, and there still is an open debate as to which was the more desireable vehicle.
I am not a "Jeeper", and do not have any knowledge of these.
They did have coarse spline Dana axles, with closed knuckle configurations.
While the front D60, and rear D70 sound super inpressive, they are still basically an military species, and not greatly desireable for any other applications.
Most of these owners buy and build these for what they are, and thats pretty cool.
I only thought that the 260 (261) CID straight six gas engine was the only one availabe. I say this because i believe the contract for axles only permited the use of a 5.87:1 gear ratio. Yeah, wow!
This kept the speed way down, but would move the thing like a tractor, even with the NP 200 transfer case. (only <2:1).
Many came in different body configurations, and I recall seeing one that was a phone repair something or other. I was kind of cool. I believe the ambulance units have a bunch of desireability for these collectors.
Oh yeah, you will get back to working on 24VDC systems. This only means that you have to find a supplier of light bulbs, lol.

[Jessie]

It looks like an American Motors Jeep and if it is I believe that will be the original motor.

[Lonesome7.3]

Well I know some time in the late 70's they went to the AMC badge. SO I do not know if the engine was changed then or not. The engine I expected to see has a flat and rounded valve cover that matched the shape of the exhaust manifold.

Thanks for the information. I was wondering if the front was a 60 or not. Those gears are perfect for one of the two things I plan to do with it. If I get it that is.

[Lariat]

Lonesome - check this history site below - it too shows the straight 6

www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_kaiser.php3

[Lariat]

More good info.:

The Jeep 6-230 Tornado engine was the first U.S. designed mass-produced overhead cam (OHC) automobile engine. It was introduced in mid-year 1962 and replaced the flathead 6-226 Super Hurricane, which had been in use since 1954. It is still the only engine designed, developed, and built by Jeep and used only in Jeeps.
The Tornado, like most Jeep engines, was undersquare for better low speed torque. It had a 3.34-inch (85 mm) bore with a 4.38-inch (111 mm) stroke. The standard version had an 8.5:1 compression ratio. Output was 140 hp (100 kW) at 4000 rpm and 210 ft·lbf (280 N·m) of torque at 1750 rpm. A low-compression (7.5:1) version was also available, with 133 hp (99 kW) at 4000 rpm and 199 ft·lbf (270 N·m) of torque at 2400 rpm.
The Tornado was a good engine, unfortunately it was complex (by 1960s standards) and was discontinued in civilian vehicles in the U.S.A. in 1965. It continued to be used in military versions of the Jeep pickup, the M-715 and M-725, until 1969. One unique feature of the design was that the camshaft only had six lobes. One lobe operated both the intake and exhaust valve for each cylinder. This made engineering cam profiles a bit more difficult than conventional two lobe per cylinder (one per valve) designs, but allowed the valves to be better arranged for the cross-flow head. Valves were directly opposite their respective ports, and ports were short with wide radius turns.
Production of this engine continued in Argentina by Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA) after 1965. The engine was used in Jeeps and in the Torino, a local version of the American Motors (AMC) Rambler American/Rambler Classic hybrid that was built in Argentina from 1966 to 1982. IKA was eventually bought out by Renault, but the Torino and the Tornado engine continued to receive upgrades over the years.
The engine name was changed to "Torino" to match the car in 1973. It also received a major block and crankshaft refinement that year -- seven main bearings instead of the original four. In 1975 "IKA" was dropped from the company name and it became simply "Renault Argentina". The Torino (car and engine) continued production through 1982. From 1976 to 1982 it was the only non-Renault designed car made by the company.
It was used in the following vehicles:

• Willys Jeep Truck 1962-65
• Willys Jeep Wagon 1962-65
• Jeep Gladiator 1963-64
• Jeep Wagoneer 1963-64
• Kaiser Jeep M-715 1963-69 (military only)
• Kaiser Jeep M-725 1963-69 (military only)
• Renault Torino, also known as IKA Torino, 1966-82
• IKA produced Jeep vehicles 1966-78(??)

[Lonesome7.3]

Thanks, there was some information there I have not seen yet.