57 cj5

So I am going to pull mine out of the woods and completely rework it. It will be a daily driver and I will takes some trips with it if my back can hack the suspension. This will also be my hunting and fishing vehicle but no mud bogging or rock climbing. No lift unless absolutely necessary. The engine in it is just a froze up block. I do have a 258 partially rebuilt from a 81 CJ7. Have the 5spd trans and the transfer case from the same. Can I fit them in the old CJ5 without major frame and body mods? Seems like there is quite a bit of area that the fan shroud takes up on the old F head. I will likely run an electric fan along with a new radiator. Also will the axles handle this much engine? Any suggestions will be nice. Still like to keep it looking like a normal 57.

 

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

Excellent info here.

 

No, forget the inline 6. The engine compartment is too short. No inline 6 will fit without moving the firewall back.

The popular options are your best route, either the Buick V6s (Jeep 225 or Buick 225/231) or the Chevy 4.3L V6. The Buick is slightly easier, but the Chevy is more plentiful. The small block Chevy V8 (SBC) was quite popular in the past, but today the easier V6s are plentiful and suffice for most. There are a few modern 4 cylinders that can be easily swapped, but most go with the V6.

You can keep your axles if you are happy with moderate sized tires and are not hammering on the Jeep when you drive it.

There are many many threads about these topic in old posts. Search. https://www.google.com/search?q=site:earlycj5.com+V6+engine+swap

 

Yeah I am familiar with the other engines. I just didn't know where AMC added to the CJ5. I have also thought of using a Ford 2.3 as it has been done many times. I think Jeep of Brazil used it. I do have an good F head block that I could rebuild and use. The 2.3 after 1987 would be better. Still not a huge amount of hp. I just wanted to double check about what I have on hand. Less to buy if you know what I mean.

 

AMC stretched the engine compartment by 5" to accommodate their inline 6. And they redesigned the grill to move the radiator forward. Their V8 would have fit, but not their excellent 6s. (BTW you can use the newer grille if you want to go with a V8).

It's not impossible to install an inline 6, but it's a mess. The Studebaker 6 was a popular swap in the day, but only because Studebaker also used the T-90. So you trade the firewall issue for no adapter needed. I've also seen Ford 170s and Chevy 230s in CJs, but the back of the valve cover was under the cowl to some degree. And moving the transmission back means your rear driveshaft is shorter...

 

search out what the Australian's did to the early cj's they got. i believe they used either the Ford 170 or 200 6 cylinders in their cj5's. i'm not sure if they redid the firewall or if one of them pretty much fit right in as they were so small. again, not a big increase in hp, but still may be an option.

 

Many thanks guys.