engine swap

I have a 64 cj5 with the f134 t90 and twin stick t-case. Has anyone heard of swapping in a 304 and 4 speed out of an early scout 800? I was told it would bolt up to my existing t-case and I only had to fab engine mounts and such. The t-case and driveshafts would all stay the same. Is there any truth to this? I also wondered if a 327 vigilante could be swapped in without serious amounts of trouble. I am sure someone here has done this or heard of this.Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome from Boston!

Re the 304, I expect it could be done. The 4-speed will be longer than the T-90, so I'm sure you'll have to move the transfer case back and change the driveshaft lengths. The 304 V8 should fit in the engine compartment, though it won't be as easy or neat as a Buick or Chevy V6. Hard, but not impossible. Here are some specs on the IH 304 - pretty darn heavy for a CJ. http://www.binderbulletin.org/faq/7.htm#3

Regarding the AMC 327... it's a great engine, but parts are hard to find and expensive. Plus it's a big engine, both in overall size and weight. The bellhousing pattern is unique to the 250/287/327 engines, so unless you can find it with the transmission you want attached, you'll need the help of a machine shop to adapt it. In Wagoneers and J-trucls, it came paired with the TH400 (too long), the T-85 3-speed (an oddball), or the T-98. Frankly though, even if the engine were free and a T-98 were attached, I wouldn't put it in any car other than its original J-truck, Wagoneer, or AMC car.

 

Another comment on the IH 304/T-18; the IH stuff is unique from other manufacturers, so if you use this engine be sure that there's not something about the IH parts that will cause a problem, like the bellhousing depth or something. Also, get as much of the donor vehicle as you can, because the clutch parts, linkages, etc are going to be like no other vehicle.

 

dewd, just pick you up an even fire from a junkyard. they are VERY similar to the odd fire (original eq), share 90% of the same parts and are very easily maintained. bell housing, tranny, motor mounts are all compatible etc. will need to pick up the even fire flywheel, but itll be a smooth running engine and a nice install.
just my thoughts.
or watch ebay, folks are selling odd fires all the time. there is a complete running odd fire plus a machined block and heads ready to go on another auction.

 

but he can pick those up here or else where prefabbed and ready to go. ive seen alot of these parts in the for sale forum or ebay for cheep.

 

that 304 is going to weigh a ton
make sure your front springs are up to it

 

You betcha! I'd think that would be enough to disqualify it.

From here http://www.241computers.com/ford/ContentExpress20-30-38.html and the BinderBulletin reference above, weights of some popular (and less popular) swaps for CJ-5s:
Pinto 2300 I4: 418 lbs
Chevy II/Mercruiser 153/181 I4: 350
Buick/Jeep V6: 414
Chevy 4.3L V6: 425
AMC I6: 500
Ford 170/250 I6: 385
Chevy SB V8: 575
AMC V8 Gen 2 (304,360): 540
AMC Gen 1 V8 (327): 600
IH 304 V8: 700!

Waaay too heavy IMO.

 

Holy cow is that corn binder heavy! I may have to live with my F134. My buddy has a v6 tuxedo park and says he will walk all over me and my jeep. I was trying to avoid this from happening. Oh well, my 1962 409 powered impala SS eats up his 1969 440 hp charger so I guess we are even. I just like to stay a step ahead of everyone!

 

Unless it's totally grenaded, just rebuild the original F-head. Ain't nothin' wrong with those.

 

Don't forget about physical dimensions. May also be too wide and long.

http://www.carnut.com/specs/engdim.html

 

It runs beautiful and the jeep only has 29,000 original miles on it. Idles warm with 30 psi oil pressure and starts up in 10 below weather every time. I just like power and don't like being outdone. Also the sound of a v8 is second to none!

 

why not look for a T98 to bolt in right behind the L4? if i were to build my willys i would run the 4 popper and look country wide for a bolt in T98...

 

Not going to abuse the jeep, just ues it to its potential. Mainly off road hills, some mud, and a snow run in the spring. Not sure I will make the snow run this year though. I gotta get some flotation tires and wider wheels. I am running 245/75/16 agressive traction tire right now. The Jeep will also be used as a push vehicle to get dead vehicles in my shop. I just like power. Thanks for all the info. Maybe a trans swap. Mine pops out of second anyways, so it has to come out regardless. This jeep has been a plow rig its entire life. Not alot of miles on it but they all were hard. Suprisingly how good the Jeep is mechanically. I will try to post a picture if I can. Thanks everyone Brian