engine question

i have a 68 commando witha 3 spd.it had a 225 but now has a 305.what other v6 and v8 carb engines will work?i would like to keep it older than 72. thanks

 

I'd think it's best to stay with GM.

I believe that any engine with a GM bellhousing will fit without an adapter. You'll have to use the bellhousing that goes with that engine - the Chevy bellhousing is different from the BOP (Buick, Olds, Pontiac, includes Cadillac too), for example. If it still had a Dauntless 225, the easiest swaps would be a Buick 300/340/350, which have the same bellhousing and motor mounts as the 225. They are longer than the 225, but only require that the grill box be cut and the radiator be moved forward. The 350 Buick was stock in the Gladiator and Wagoneer from 67-70, and is the second most desirable engine that came stock in a full-size Jeep (after the AMC 401). The Buick 350 small blocks are different from the Chevy 350, having a long stroke and lots of torque.

The big block Buick 425/430/455 should fit too; they fit will in place of the stock Buick 350 in Gladiators and Wagoneers.

What's your preference?

 

Buicks were the best fit due to the front distributor. You can make anything work with time and money. Rear distributors like 4.3's a do-able but challenging.

I'm the wrong person to ask, I bleed too much Bui-ha loyalty! 4.3's belong in Blazers *ducking*

 

The 225, 300, 340, 350, 400, 430, and 455 Buicks share the same bellhousing pattern. The 425 has the old 'nailhead' pattern.

 

425 oldsmobile Starfire................

:twisted:

 

Yep, Cadillac 472/500 is the BOP pattern AFAIK. Fits pretty well in a Wagoneer or Gladiator truck - not too wide.

I'm sure that William is right - the 425 is the old nailhead pattern, and not what you want for a swap. Actually, I think putting any of the GM big blocks in a Jeepster is too much engine for that chassis. You'd be much better off with one of the GM small blocks - Chevy, Buick, Olds, Pontiac. Look out for the width, length, oil pan placement and distributor placement of the less popular engines (including Olds and Pontiac).

You can rule out the big block Fords and Mopars right away because of the width, length, weight and oil pan placement. Small block Fords and Mopars might be ok, but you'd need to buy an adapter.

 

it has a chevy 305 in it now.i been thinking of putting a v6 in.what chevy v6 would work that has a carb?i think the bellhousing was changed from a buick to chevy.or are they the same?

 

If it has a 305 in it now and you have enough room for it in there without the distributor contacting the firewall, I'd think that the 4.3 would be a natrual trade out. It's going to be a little lighter and make almost as much power. Really all you'd have to change would be the engine.

 

Steve,

Hello! This is Pat, I talked to you about the Commandos a few weeks ago. I ended up buying a CJ5 with a Dauntless. The engine may have some problems and I am looking into replacing it with something FI, which I will start another thread about... but anyways, we may need to talk about the Dauntless, I'll be back in Roanoke on the 21st.

Best Regards,
Pat

 

give me a call or email me when you get back. thanks,steve

 

You don't like the 305? I think it's a fine engine. 350 400 chebby will work too, but the 4.3 is the v6 option I'd use.

 

SB fords work well D/T front distributor hade one in a cj2a little to much power but worked well!!