153 Chevy in a 2A

I have a 47 CJ with a slowly fading 1944 MB engine.I have no interest in doing a upper end job on the flattie . I do have a 65 153 Chevy 4 cylinder engine,not the Iron Duke .I know it's been done,but my search came up zero.....
The engine swap is no problem for me...What I would like to know if the tranny/transfer case stay in the stock location.

 

If you have the engine and the jeep, you should be able to determine that with some measurements.

There are two lengths of adapters: one that uses the original input shaft, and one that uses the longer input shaft from a Utility truck. Both use a plate adapter between the transmission and engine - one style is 2 5/8" thick, and the other is 3/4" thick. Here http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kits_cx.htm and here http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_g9n.htm

 

A quessitmate says the head of the 153 is real close to the firewall.The 153 is partially disassembled for inspection......I suppose just need to pull the flattie and mock in the new engine.The worst case a little sheetmetal work.
Edit,I should read more The Novak site say move tranny foward 2 inch for thin spacer. Or spend 150 more bucks and leave tranny where it is......Thanks for reminding me about Novak!

 

The thick adapter can be found used pretty often. I'd look around for a used one. Ebay, WTB on all the Jeep forums, Willystech, etc.

 

I got a used one fron Herm: hermtheoverdriveguy.com

 

Like Tim says use the 2-5/8" thick adapter and the 153 engine will clear the firewall with T90 J transmission and D18 transfer case at standard locations.
Find an old Trans-Dapt adapter as they are very nice.

 

Just finishing up my 181 (pretty much the same as your 153)/t90/18 tc swap and as stated everything will line up fine with the 2 5/8 adapter..I highly recommend the swap

 

Like was said the adapters come up used pretty often. Try Herm, R&P, and Willystech.com as possible sources. Much cheaper than new typically. You will need the long Wagon/Pickup input shaft for the transmission as well.
The 153 is a great conversion. First one I helped with in fact. Helped Dad put one in his '43 GPW but had to change out the stock T-84.


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I've spent a bit of time looking at the 153 lump and measuring the location of the stock 134 engine.Using the 3/4 inch adapter,squeezing the tranny forward 3/8 inch,and trimming the lower fire wall ,looks like the 153 will fit in.The 153 engine block is longer but the overall length of both engines is about 24 inches.Since the 153 water pump is a lot lower an electric fan is the best option....I believe using the 2-3/4 inch space will push the engine ahead just enough to require an aftermarket radiator instead of the nice stock radiator in the Jeep now......I will know for sure once the old engine is out.
For any of you considering a 153 swap;intake and exhaust manifolds are rare so make sure the engine has what you need. Mine had no manifolds...I found a NOS exhaust for reasonable money.No intakes to be found,I will fabricate one if necessary.

 

manifolds can be found from fork lift applciations fairly easily..be warned there are different head ports though so make sure and match the manifolds to the cylinder head.

 

I had the forklift or industrial intake and exhaust manifolds.The ports are off by 1/2 inch.Too much grinding that'll leave some areas very thin and never be right.I sold them...
Edit,I added the photo of a stock 153 car engine intake/exhaust gasket on the industrial exhaust manifold.The intake is just as bad a mismatch

 

Like I said there are different port shapes..at least three that I know of. My ports were off as well and I made an adapter

 

Adapter photo? I don't have machinist tools ,just grinders ,saws,torches and a welder so I'll have to fabricate an intake from sheetmetal.

 

Doing more measurements before pulling the engine.It appears the clutch housing flange on the rear of the block will just clear or hit the stock master cylinder by a hair.Probably grind off some material on the block if necessary and or move to tranny/transfer case mounts to the right just slightly.A member here is sending me a usable but modified stock intake for no cost other than shipping,thank you Mr Gangrene Jeans!!!
Be pulling the flattie in a few weeks. It's a 1944 engine by the numbers,be good for a war Jeep.

 

The 153 Chevy engines were very common in South Africa and many CJ2A's are still running with them. When South Africa ran out of 134 parts they replaced the engines with 153 Chevys. I had one with the long adapter and the tranny was in the same position. I also had a scrap CJ2A with the short adapter and if I remember correctly they only dented or cut the firewall to fit it in.