Engine choice

I have a 65 CJ-5. It has a small 4 cyl in it. I wanted to put a 4.0L drivetrain in it but it's to long. Since I can't use the 4.0L because of its length, I was wondering if there are any V8's I can get in there since they are shorter. I'm planning on swapping the engine, tranny and t-case so everything works together good. I was thinking of a 3.9L V6 Dakota drivetrain?

Thanks

Chris

 

A common swap nowadays is the 4.3L chevy v-6. More then enough power for these Jeeps. Question, why get rid of the 4cyl? For general wheeling it is a great motor. Also the Dakota drivetrain probably would not work since it most likely too long along with the driver side drop T-case not working with our passenger side pumpkin front axles.

 

x2. If my 350 ever grenades, I'll put the :hurrican: in it

To answer your question though, you can get a buick 350, any small block chevy or ford in there. It all depends on the depths of your pockets

 

Welcome from Denver! Got any photos of your Jeep? If it's running OK, keep the F-134 motor, IMHO.

 

So Dodges have the drop on the wrong side. Crap. So I take it Fords and Chevs have the drop I need. Can I fit a Ford 5.0L in there with its tranny and t-case too.

Here is a link to my CJ-5 pics. It has a fibreglass tub.

http://www.nbjeepclub.ca/soopportal//forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7473&KW=godplayer

 

Nope, you have to adapt these motors in. Novak is a good company who can adapt it seems just about anything to anything. Direct swaps really do not exist in my book in these early Jeeps.

 

Let me clarify something, the Dodge 3.9 is a good candidate but no stock transfercase that wasn't originally in a cj is gonna have the drop on the right side for a cj and if it does it will be very large, like from a fullsize trcuk. The Wranglers are on the drivers side also. The reason most people use the Buick motor is the availability of parts that are factory. The Chevy is used since they are readily available. Since the 3.9 is basically a 318 with the front 2 cylinders lopped off, you can use a manual bellhousing and an NP435 hooked to a dana 18 or anyone of the 3 speeds adapted to the Dodge bellhousing. The Dodge is by no means a drop in but neither is anyhting but the original 4 banger. The Buick motor requires a bellhousing, motor mounts and the right combination of clutch and transmission parts, thats the closest you'll get to a bolt in.

 

I wanted to get a donor vehicle and drop the engine and tranny and t-case from that vehicle onto the frame. Then put the body back on.

 

A V8 CJ-5 or CJ-7 drivetrain will fit, but a V6 fits better. Find a Dodge pickup with a V6 and NP435 and adapt it to your existing transfer case - that would be 2/3 of what you want. Transfer cases, other than the Dana 18, 20 or 300 generally are too large to fit between the Jeep frame rails, or drop on the wrong side. The Dana 18, 20 and 300 came in (you guessed it) Jeep vehicles .. and some IHs.

 

Chris, did I read that correctly? A rebuilt F-134….why pull it?

 

I have a Dana 300 now I do believe.

 

Everyone has told me they won't have the power to spin 33's in the mud.

 

Jason (hawken63) uses his in the mud with great effect. While he can't pull out his fullsize truck buddies he can go anywhere they can with his 33/13.50 LBTs( IIRC) The trick with these Jeeps is that you float over the top of the mud and not sink in very far. I have seen what his Jeep can do with that old F-head and while he will say I am terrible at driving it I have to say I was very impressed with what it could do. There is no stopping that little Jeep.

 

You guys have a point. I guess I just wanted to deal with the drivetrain issue while the body was off of the frame. Plus many have told me to get at least a V6. I'll try it first.

 

Trust me you will be happier to run the 4cyl. I did what you want to do and it was the BIGGEST mistake I have made with Chia. I had been told to toss the f-head for a 6cyl so I did. If I had not done that I would be driving Chia today instead of it sitting in the driveway.

 

What Sparky and Jeff said is all true. I'm looking at buying a flatfender in another year or so and if I end up with a 2a that has a flathead in it, I'm keeping it that way. Now I might modify the mote a little bit, but I'm keeping the flathead for nostalgia and the fact that I have seen what Steve and Jons flatties can do with the L-head and I think its more than adequate.
Drive it, learn its idiosyncasy's and then make up your mind.