Willys cj something?

I believe it's an even fire, 1977-1978. Casting number is 1254083

 

Well now I'm totally confused! The chart I read showed my casting number as being even fire. What is the difference between the dist caps?

 

if you want a willys tailgate, just buy one. if the holes bother you, weld them up. i looks good to me like it is. fix the engine cooling problem and go 4lo for fun, especially in cali.

 

Yeah your right it can be fixed, but it has no tailgate at all right now. So if I want all the Willys stuff I'll have to cut the tub for the tailgate, buy a new hood and new windshield frame. So I figure why not just replace the whole thing. Although the body will be the last thing I deal with.

I'll tell you that my last project was a stock 1989 Mustang. By the end it had over 600HP, a full rollcage and it was very scary to drive. That's just a little insight into my sickness. I get going and somehow always lose my sense of enough is enough. Always wanting to make it better.

But anyway just wanted to say you guys are awesome and I really appreciate all your help and ideas. If you have any other thoughts please keep em coming.

 

Indeed. Looks good to me too.

The SBF is a fine engine, but I think it'd be really tight in a flattie. Not ideal. The V6s are popular today because they fit the engine compartment so well, and are widely available, light, inexpensive and powerful for their size and weight. Remember that a flattie is light (not much over a ton in stock trim), and will really scoot with a V6. IMO you've got the ideal engine now.

Looks like fun - drive it!

Welcome from Boston!

 

I had a SBC 283 in my 3b and it was very tight length wise. I had no room to add PS so I went with the 4.3/SM465 and now I have alot more room. My original plan was to go to a SBF 5.0/NP435 but after measuring the Ford specs against the Chevy dimensions in the jeep I decided against it.
My $.02

 

I swapped a 360 AMC motor into my '59 cj5 and found it way over powered. I took it out and put a 225 in it that i'm now trying to get going again. Take a look at the horsepower and torqe #'s for that little six, you might be surprised! BTW take a look at my avatar.

 

I think you guys have got me convinced on staying with the motor I have. I would like to change it over to EFI though, so if anyone has any links that would be great. I would also like to change trannys. Is the T18 a viable option or is there a better choice? I would like to have a 4 speed.

 

Yeh a better choice would be either an SM 420 or 465. An 18 would work but it would just mean even more adapters

 

Is one or the other stronger or better?

 

Both have advantages and disadvantages. When I was looking at them they came out as a draw. Yeh the 420 has a lower 1st gear but you won't notice .5/1 difference at that low. 465 is easier to find.
Both will require adapters.

 

One more question for you guys. Is there a way to tell from the frame exactly what year my Jeep is? Or maybe within a couple of years. Like I said there are no numbers on it.

 

Really? I did quite a bit of research on my swap. All the info I found was that the SM trans swap ran longer than the T18. My T18 swap came out 3/4" longer than the stock T14 and bellhousing adapter. If what you are saying is true, then it is kind of a bummer, as the SM swap would have been a bit simpler(not much).

 

I think the T-18 wouldn't be much harder than the Muncie transmissions: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm This should work for the Jeep truck T-18 too; AFAIK only one of the mounting holes is different. This would allow a T-18 swap without any commercial adapters, though you'd need to find or buy the Ford input shaft and retainer.

You could also use a Jeep or IH 4WD T-18 main shaft and adapter in a Ford 2WD T-18 and then follow Novak's instructions exactly. No adapters needed. A Binder T-18 in particular should be a real cigar butt (cheap), since they are different from all others at the front end.

 

Yes it's round.