4.3L in a CJ3B?

Has anyone done this conversion? I'm wondering if it fits okay without mods to firewall, crossmember, etc. I seem to remember looking at a CJ5 w/ the 4.3L and it was a pretty tight fit. I don't know if the 3B has the same amount of room or less. I'd be wanting to keep my T90 tranny. Novak has an adapter for this. I'm assuming the 4.3L is a little bigger than the 225 engine?? I have the F Head 4 cyl. in it now.
Thanks.

 

I've seen 350's in 3B's. No reason you couldn't put a 4.3 in there

 

Wait a couple of weeks, I'll let you know.
My 4.3 is getting a rebuild right now and I have to rebuild the SM465 and D18 but I think by Thanksgiving I should have it sitting in there. My 3b has 283 in it now and the only mods I have seen is the firewall needed some massaging to get the HEI in. But if a V8 will fit I am sure the 4.3 will. PM me if you need to talk.

 

hey coby... let me know how it drves when you get done. i want to do a flatty with the 4.3, sm420, d18/d20 setup. but, i would want to know how it drives before i sink money and time into the project if you know what i mean. and for ome reason i think your setup would be almost identical to what has been dancing around in my head for the past year or so. i'd give ya a call to harass you about it, but i finaly got out of school and they shut my email addy down...

 

I had a 289 in my cj2a ran it for a few years! The only mods. I did are change the location of the front crossmember, motor mounts and radiator with placement! I liked the fords D/T the distributor was in the front! I also had stock ross and drivetrain T90 D18 with a OD and 538s! I felt it was to much power and went way to fast for the flattie (I know what your going to say)! So now im puttin in the 231 (on a diff. frame)!! I felt it will be better suited for the flattie.... I also have seen the 4.3 mods and it really looks good! I think if i had one when i changed engines i would have gone that route......good luck!

 

gte636p,

I am not being a smarta$$ at all but I just don't understand why anyone would choose an sm420 over an sm465 now that the 1" novak adapter is available. It frees up so much room. Why the sm20??

JB

 

not meaning to come back at ya, but i was given the 420... and it is sitting in my basement waiting to be used. i haven't seen the two side by side so i'll have to look into the 465 and 420 differences case wise as to why they can machine a new shaft for the 465 and not the 420 to get he adapter smaller. you pose a good point, and i've had my mind elsewhere for a while and am no where near up to date on the new adapters on the market.

 

Good luck Coby let me know how it turns out. The talk about "firewall needed some massaging" and relocating cross members is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Not having a welder, & being a very bad welder when I borrow my buddies welder, I have to consider these things. It seems that from what I've read there are less mods needed to fit a 225 in my 3B than there would be for the 4.3L. True or not?

 

Chris and Mike- Mobile # 678-409-5705
Chris, you can drive it when I am done,

Mike the 289 ford motor is about 1 1/2 inches longer than a chevy V8. That is the reason for moving the crossmember. Also the 4.3 motors have a small distributor on them so no HEI large @$*)&)% cap to deal with.
Main benifits to the 4.3 over the 225 buick motors is that fuel injection was stock and can be supported by the aftermarket(Computers, wiring harnesses, interchangability). Also Transmission selection is alot better by using SM420, SM465, Th350, Or 700R4. The bolt pattern is common SBC so you have some good choices.

Chris- IMHO FALSE on the 225 easier thing. Also you now own a flat fender that you are thinking about doing some mods to, you will need a welder and more tools than you think of, because nothing is "bolt on"

 

It's not that they "can't" make a new output shaft for the SM-420, it's that there are clearance issues on the passenger side of the case. There is a bulge there that interferes with the front driveshaft/yoke. By making a longer adapter it helps with clearance in this area. Nickmil.

 

depends on the definition of easier
you really don't even need the welder, the Novak mounts are "bolt on"
I don't own a welder (but I know someone who does)
also no special tools needed, just regular hand tools like most folks own
nothing different about a flatty versus an early 5 when it comes to mechancial components
my 0.2 worth

 

Good point Jim. But you have to admit a welder, air compressor, air tools. and a cutting torch are good purchases if you can justify them to the missus. And I do not remember seeing bolt on engine mounts for a CJ2a-CJ3b for any engine. Could you provide a link?

 

There's one for sale here. Frame guseted, 4.3 with TH350, d44 rear, d30 front, 3.70s. Rolling project 90% complete $2K. Wish I had room for another unfinished project .

Sorry, he just sold it last week FOR $1000.00........Damn, http://jonfund.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000306

This is the shop that did the work http://www.sveperformance.com/ . I don't know the owner Bill but maybe he'll answer some questions. I only bought a windshield for the 2A from him and he wheels an MB but not sure what he's running.

 

Hi guys I AM THE PROUD OWNER OF THAT $1000 PROJECT... i KNOW THE OWNER OF SVE VERY WELL. HE DID THE MOTOR CONVERSION WHICH IS NOW A 4.3 WITH AA TO A TH350.... THE ISSUE WE ARE HAVING OR I AM HAVING IS THE STEERING SETUP.. THE DRIVER EXHAUST MANIFOLD HITS THE COLUMN. IT IS A CHEVY TILT COLUMN. THE STEERING BOX IS A SAGANOW FROM A COMMANDO. HAVE YOU GUYS RUN IT TO STEERING COLUMN ISSUES AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOU USING. THANKS. I HAVE POSTED SOME PICS ON THE WEB SITE AT JONFUND.COM IN THE AIR DOWN SECTION.
ANY HELP OR INSITE WOULD BE A BIG HELP.
I THOUGHT OF HEADERS BUT THEY DONT REALLY GIVE ANY MORE CLEARANCE.. I WAS THINKING OF USIG ANOTHER COLUMN BUT NOT SURE WHICH ONE...

 

Wauneo99 take the caps lock off, on means you are yelling and it is hard to read.
For a steering column I just plan to shorten the original because I want to keep the school bus wheel. You can order some custom ones but I would be interested to know what others have used.
TH350??? How short is the driveshaft?

 

sorry about the caps... drive shaft is 14 inches.. cv shaft should do the trick... the steering is my big issue... I have seen the flaming river shortie and dash mount but thats like 500 bigs one with the shaft...you said shorten your shaft.. how ..??? cut and weld...???

 

14 inches
Yea there was an article on the 3b page at one time and now I can't find it. I'll look but your local circle track/dirt track guys will be able to help fab the column up.

 

the Novak V6 mounts could be bolted in a pinch
Novak recommends welding for strength
worked with these on vanguards Jeep (we welded)
it would be more time consuming to bolt them to the frame
but it is possible

 

14 should be OK. I think the YJ is about 13 but not exactly sure about that number.

Wayne, where are you located? I almost bought that from Bill last year but just had brought the 2A home when he put it up. Would be nice to have a highway Flattie. I thought it was worth the $3000.

 

Im in milford...yea it was bills project which he sold and I got for 1000...I need help with the steering config...



cut the column and shorten it... use a shorter one...which one??? buy a flaming river shortie or dash mount for 5oo bucks.... dont really want to do that...it has the saggy conversion/box already in it...the column hits the exhaust manifold... no other manifold options left or headers that will fit...
any help would be great....