hypothetical engine swap

so my Hurricane is smoking considerably (runs fine.. but smokes) a buddy of mine who is a hot rodder by nature, (he buys and builds cars then sells them.) came to look at it yesterday, told me i would probably not be able save the body tub on my tux...that said he also said since the F head might need a rebuild and the kit is $799 plus machine shop etc. I might be further ahead swapping in an SBC... he claims he can have me a running 350 for a couple hundered bucks. has anyone done this? is it as simple as swapping mounts, bell housing, and rad?

 

A 350 in an early CJ is a tight fit, but has been done literally thousands of times.
Where you'll run into trouble is the "snowball effect". Your trans, brakes, and steering are going to be marginal
for the increased power-you'll be wanting to upgrade those parts as well.

 

Homework time. Start here:

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/chevy_buick_swap.htm

Modern inline 4s and V6s are easier.

 

Should be a number of threads concerning a sbc swap on this forum and probably most other Jeep related sites. A 350 is going to test the limits of the T90, but if you have a light right foot, you may get away with it for awhile. While not simple, no more difficult than any other engine swap, although not a minor undertaking.

You want the long T90C input and corresponding long adapter if you want to keep things out of the firewall and use the existing driveshafts. You will also need the short water pump and all the corresponding mounts for alternator and PS pump if used. In my experience, a top right alternator mounting is the best. Don't even think about trying to use the stock radiator-a welded aluminum cross flow works best.

It will not end there as you will also want to swap the steering and upgrade the brakes if you do the Chevy swap.

Even if you manage to actually get a good useable 350 for $200, you will be into the swap for way more than a rebuild of the 134 will cost, even with the machine work. Is the swap worth it? Absolutely!!!! Realize I am very opinionated, but a sbc Chevy makes about the best Jeep engine there is and makes for a whole different vehicle compared to either the 134 or 225.

 

Is your tub really that bad? Or is it just not cost effective to pay someone?

 

It is usable as it is...but it has litterally been sloppily patched on EVERY panel. when i say sloppily i mean using 8th inch steel plating to replace the floor pan and arc welding it. then they rivited sheet steel on the outside and covered it with about an inch of bondo...including covering over the sepatation line between the front fender and tub. Im sure i will be safe if i drive over a land mine but it is ugly.

maybe the v6 is a better option. he had mentioned using a Buick "even fire" v6 rather than the dauntless. he claimed it has more potential and can be made to look like the dauntless. im pulling whats left of my hair out!

 

I know I'm at odds with a lot of people here and elsewhere in Jeep world, but stuffing a sbc in a flatty or CJ5/6 isn't really any more difficult than installing a V6. Yep, the radiator clearence is tighter, but it is still there. Exhaust is about the same either way. You definately need to do your homework in the cooling department but again, all part necessary are readily available.

The sbc advantage is that every parts house will likely have whatever you need for it on-the-shelf for a price that will be less than any other engine platform. And the sky's the limit if you decide to do some serious tinkering with the internals. Big block displacement is relatively easy to get in a small block package. I still think it's the word's best tinker toy/leggo set although the LS stuff is coming in a close second these days.

 

My Hurricane rebuild was much more expensive than I expected. Looking back I definitely would go for a 225. In the end a full rebuild of the hurricane cost me about $2500.

 

if its just smoking i would do a quick hand hone and re-ring it, wouldn't cost too much, be a good time to put hardened valves in too. and from the pics i saw, your tub is still very saveable, i'd help you do it if you were closer, just grind down the bad welds, cut out the bad patches and weld some new ones in, probably wouldn't be more than $100 in sheet metal to fix the whole thing.

 

I appriciate the sentiment geoffery I wish you were closer. I will not be beaten by this or naysayers. I really do feel like i overpaid for it but its done with ...i have to make the most of what i got. I have a very tight budget so i have to chose wisely what i spend the rest of what i have to work with on.

 

Ever thought of a 4.3 chevy?

Just another option. I always try to suggest everything but the sbc.

 

I like Geoffrey's plan. Hone it, slip in some new bearings if she isin't knocking, and call it good. Read "The Realistic Rebuild" in the Jeep bible by Granville King if you get a chance.

 

I know of a whole jeep for $275 in delaware, has a good motor

 

I hear ya on the tight budget, i'm a highschool student with no official job so i'm on a really tight budget, it was hard enough to buy my welder, plasma cutter and other stuff to even begin to do body work, i only got the plasma cutter cause it was a CL steal.