According to wikipedia Willy's did not invent the first jeep. The government wanted a working prototype in 49 days, I believe back in 1940. American Bantam and Willy's along with 133 others were trying for the contract. Willy's asked for more time and were told no. American Bantam was broke and had no engineering staff. They brought in Karl Probst in July of 1940 who laid out/designed the first Jeep, the Bantam BRC-40. The government knew American Bantam could not supply what they needed and selected Willy's Overland and Ford to produce the design originally made by American Bantam.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeepdown the page, "The origins of the vehicle: the first Jeeps"
I've been unable to find much, been seeing a lot of 134 "Go Devils" and "Hurricane" engines in early Jeeps, all from Willy's Overland. I have found that Continental Motors were used in Jeeps among many other vehicles.
http://www.ehow.com/list_7572182_continental-engine-specs.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Motors_Companydown the page, "Automobiles that used Continental Engines" and under that "Trucks that used Continental Engines", specifically AM General where they mention Jeep.
I believe your right about the F162 however, most references I've found were to the 134 or 135 C.I until somewhere in 1953 an article about the Willy's jeep using a 161.1 C.I engine and more reference to the Continental engine, believe it was an inline 6 however but did not see anything that specified exactly. As far as my Uncle's jeep goes his dad bought it sometime after the war and my Uncle grew up with it and knew the history of this particular jeep from day one. Original engine, driveline. His dad used it to plow snow and then when he moved to N.C my Uncle came into ownership. I've been around this particular jeep since the mid 70's, that's as far back as I can remember. I remember my Cousin(4 years older) driving me around in it on my Uncles property when I was 7, 8 years old and older. It has a 5 gallon gas can for a gas tank, smokes like an old freight train but Uncle says he has no problems with mosquito's when he's out it the woods gathering firewood!! LoL! He still uses it to this very day. Body is about as solid as a rock, 4 wheel drive works good. As far as displacement on the particular engine in his jeep that is one thing that will remain a mystery I guess. He has no intentions of pulling the engine and rebuilding it and that would be the only way to figure bore and stroke and do some in depth investigations on what the engine truely is, Continental or Willies, but like I said, we talked and looked at them both for quite awhile and I got a history lesson on the Jeep, the Continental engines and had a great Conversation with a guy who really is not much of a talker until you hit the right button...his button has to do with any old cars, probably early 60's back.
Speaking of good conversations, I have enjoyed our little debate Fixalinc! Have a good weekend!
Shawn