76 + 67 = Better?

I think the thing that scares me is having to reprogram the computer for standard shift. A lot of unknowns for me. Also, I need to find a donor vehicle with the right engine. I’m just starting though. The learning curve will be steep!

 

I hope it’s easy peasy

 

I'll just add my $.02 , .. My son and I put a 65 body on a 78 running chassis, used a 78 hood and 65 fenders with 4" extension panels. Had to fab in body mounts. but it's do able.

 

4.3s in S10s weren't too uncommon with manual transmissions. Finding one of those would solve your re-tuning issues.

If you don't want to tackle the EFI, you can get carburetor intake manifolds and stand alone distributors for the 4.3.

 

Actually, that is really a non issue. For example, the ecm controlling the engine in my flat fender came from a Lumina. My backup ecm came from a Buick. Obviously, both vehicles use the same ecm. The base program I use was originally for vehicle with an automatic. With a few adjustments to the tune, the program now controls my v6 with a standard transmission.

 

I had a 1985 Chevy Pickup with the 4.3 V6. It was carbureted, and had none of that complicated stuff. Good engine, and the conversion to this doesn't look that tough to me. Adaptors for mating the T-90 to a GM bell housing have been around a long time. For that matter a small block Chevy V8 engine, or a small block Ford V8 fits nicely into an early CJ5 too. If going to a V8 I would choose the Chevy because there is a better selection of parts for doing a conversion.

The even fire 231 Buick V6s are not hard to find because they used them in so many vehicles for many years. You just have to be sure to find one from a rear wheel drive car, the version used in front wheel drive cars won't work well for this conversion.

If you did decide to go with a Buick V6 I have some parts you would need for this swap. I have a Dauntless bell housing and adapter, the drive shafts, and a nice T-14 from the same Jeep. I would trade this for your T-90 and might even want to buy your F134. You would still need to find a flywheel, and engine stands. Manual shift Buicks are rare so most donor engines would have a flex plate.

 

I read these responses and think wow! I’ll never understand how to do it.

 

Jeep Dauntless flywheels are balanced for the 225 odd-fire. To use one of them with a 231 the flywheel needs to be balanced neutral. GM flywheels for the V6 are out there, but the Jeep version is heavier, and IMHO better because of the inertia that extra weight it adds to the rotation, but either will work.

Stock engine stands for the V6 Buick conversion can be sourced from parted out Dauntless frames. They come up fairly regularly. I have provided several sets to Jeep forum members over the years from Jeeps I have parted out.

Aftermarket stands for either the Buick V6, Chevy V6, or Chevy V8 are easy to find. Universal "cut to fit" engine stands are also available, and it isn't that hard to fabricate your own if you can weld.

With all the right parts gathered together the conversion is not rocket science, and has been done so often there are bound to be many examples on this forum and other places on the internet.

Your build of the Jeep has demonstrated you have skills applicable to this kind of thing.

 

As I recall, you can use a Dauntless flywheel on an odd-fire 231 without re-balancing.

 

"As I recall, you can use a Dauntless flywheel on an odd-fire 231 without re-balancing."

Of course you can, no difference between the odd-fire 231 or 224 in that respect, but finding one of those is not as easy as finding an even fire 231 of which there were many.

 

Yes, I just wanted to clarify that it wasn't an absolute. It's those sorts of details that cause people problems.

 

Having taken a bone stock CJ3A and doing a VW TDI swap, transmission swap, axle swaps and saginaw steering, I will say, it is a fun little jeep to cruise around with on and off road. I don't do real hard 4 wheeling with it, just mild stuff. I take my jeep everywhere with me because it is small and fits in my camper nicely and makes a nice show cruiser for Coolspring and Canandaigua.

I have a CJ7 that I have been building and with all the work I have done to my 3A, the CJ7 is still lightyears ahead of the 3A. The aftermarket support is there for the CJ7 and the suspension is much better. The added legroom is nice too. I think you need to figure out what you really want to use your jeep for in the long run.

 

I have an oddfire 231 and an even fire 231 that are both for sale. Both are cores that would need rebuilt, but are not stuck. I also have a T90 and a T15 already adapted to the buick v6 for sale.

 

I have a 47 with a fresh L134 which has a Weber 32/26, the performance of this compared to my other L-head powered Jeeps is night and day, but the F-134 with stock carb still has more power, and will go as fast as I ever want to go in a Jeep.

I like the 4cyl powered Jeeps best, but am not opposed to conversions to larger engines. I do think anything more than a V6 is overkill.

The Buick V6 in the 48 I recently acquired delivers impressive performance. It is a 225 odd-fire, with a Holley 390 and a few other goodies. I really like this set up, with the OD it will keep up with modern traffic except for freeway speeds. It has enough scoot to get out of the way. I have been told it will go 70 MPH but I don't have any plans to verify that. I have driven it over 60 MPH on the highways around here and that is faster than I like for these little Jeeps. The Jeep has lower gearing in the transfer case, and 5:38 ratio axles and performs very well off-road too.

 

Here’s an example of what’s out there. Pretty civilized cj7 in good shape with the factory T18. A four wheeling “build”, upgrade or whatever on this would be fun and straightforward.

CJ7

 

The diesel sounds cool. I will keep my eyes out for a CJ7. They are quite pricey right now. I inquired about one at Collins Bros recently and it was 30K! The lowest I’ve seen locally is around $15000 for a driver. It will happen one day. I just need to be patient. I like my early CJ5 though. For what I’m doing currently, it works. Thanks for the post.

 

I think this is where I am. The 4 cylinder is fine for my needs. I wish it had 5.38 gear sets instead of the 4.27. I think it would perform more to my liking. Are these gearsets still available new? I’ve ordered all the parts for the windshield upgrade. It was a costly upgrade, but I can’t see out currently, and the wipers don’t work anyway.

Thanks Andrew for the vote of confidence in my ability. I appreciate that!

 

5.38's are really low, like 45-50 MPH top speed. If you want that, I would just look for a good used set of axles rather than trying to re-gear yours. Used stock CJ axles aren't worth a whole lot, and changing your existing axles will cost a bundle.

 

^^^^ Exactly. The one I posted above has a factory T18 and it’s $7500 bucks and it’s really clean. And there’s several others around here for the same price range. These CJ7’s are actually some of the better deals right now.