CJ2A engine swaps uncommon.

Hell i have a 46 cj2a and am looking at doing an engine swap. Would love to swap in a amc v8 or I6 but have found no availible info on doing this I would love my jeep to have mostly all jeep parts when done being built./ Can anyone at least point me in the right direction. i understand probably the I6 is totally out of the question . But think the amc v8 is only a couple inches longer than the chev 350. Also please let me know of a few other uncommon engine swap that are doable. I just dont want to plunk a chev under the hood if i do not have to even though these are the most common and probably the easiest. Any help would be appreciated. I want to keep it mostly jeep if possible.

 

Here http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40352

 

AMC V8 is doable. The inline 6s are generally impractical because of their length. Though I like the AMC products, I don't see any advantage to these engines if you are starting from scratch.

There's a lot of discussion on Novak's pages www.novak-adapt.com - you can pretty much put any engine in any chassis with enough time, effort and money.

 

There are so many swap options for the early Jeep that are possible, it's crazy. The most common being Buick V6 and Chevy V6 or V8. The AMC V8 is doable the inline is not. I love AMC V8s and have had plenty of experience with them but I wouldn't choose to swap one in a flatty unless I had one kicking around. Seems like one of the best choices is the Buick V6 but you could also install a Buick V8 easy enough as well. They were both used from the factory in Jeeps. I would stick to the common choices as it is easier to find info and adapters for the job. I know you don't really want a Chevy but they are among the best choices. I went the Chevy route but with an uncommon engine to swap into a flatty. I chose to go with a new Chevy Vortec 4.8L V8 as they are powerfull fairly light and have lots of aftermarket support. 4.8L and 5.3L engines are great engines and they are also dirt cheap as there are thousands of these trucks in the wrecking yards but no real demand for the engines as they just not needed as replacement engines in such new trucks. These engines are the hot swap of the future. I picked up my 4.8L complete with injection and accessories as well as flywheel and clutch out of a 35,000 mile 2000 Silverado pickup for $300.00 on ebay from a large wrecking chain called LKQ.
The 285HP will definitely haul my flatty around no problem. I am going to install it with all the injection and everything but there are carburated options as well. Here is a link to my build for more info. http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60125 Good luck with your choices as there are many. Do your research there is lots of info on this out there. Use the forum search.
Greg

 

Well i have a few more questions. Actually this is one of the best formums for info that i have looked at in a long time. The idea behind my build though hairbrained it will sound is i want to build my jeep with preferably all jeep components that is why i would prefer not to use the chev 350. i have a rear offset 44 and am looking for a narrow trac from. I want to stay carbereated for simplicity sake for repairs ( i know you fuil injected guys will have something to say about this) I have access to a pretty decent 304 for jeep but i would have it rebuilt before actually using it. (i could get the running motor and two four speed trannies for $500) So my questions dimension wise is the 204 much different from 360 401. Also i would prefer to run an auto tranny (this would have to th350 due to size) do you think that with the amc and the th350 will be to long of driveline when it comes down to the shafts. Also on project goldie i noticed he seemed to use stock manifolds on his build. Is this true. Was it even built on a cj2a frame?? any help or ideas would be appreciated. i am in the process of collecting parts for my build right now so any suggestions would be helpful


Tanks

 

304, 360 and 401 all have exactly the same external dimensions. Exactly the same. The only differences are the bore (304 vs 360), and the bore and stroke (304, 360 vs 401). The 360 and 401 use the same heads. The 304 uses heads with smaller valves, required by the smaller bore size. The 304 and 360 share the same crank.

These are externally balanced engines, so you need the flywheel that goes with that displacement. Otherwise, each is a drop-in replacement for the others.

If you are going to use a TH350, then you are really, really really making things hard for yourself by choosing an AMC engine. In the junkyard, you can find an AMC compatible GM TH400 (Jeep never used the TH350), or the Chrysler TF909/999 and TF727. A 999/D300 combo was available in a 304 CJ-7 for several years, but that WB is 14" longer than a flatty WB. Likely doable, but difficult I would expect, especially with any significant lift.

The TH350 is a possibility, but I think the sensible choice in that case would be a Buick or Chevy V6 so you could scoot the engine forward a little. You would make things harder by choosing a V8, though Jeep used the Buick 350 in the Wagoneer, and it's a wonderful engine. Get out your tape and start measuring. The Novak site should have specs on the OAL of the TH350 with their adapter.

A Ford V6 with the C4 might also be possible; Advanced Adapters offers conversion kits for those I think.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess i have to do some measuring and find out if a auto trans is a need or a want.

 

Yup stock manifolds, headers wouldnt fit. Stock 2a frame was used. If you have any other questions ask away and I'll try to answer.

 

Reading through this thread is confusing me about your true intentions. You keep stating you want to try and use parts used by Jeep. Absolutely nothing wrong with that. Then you go on to say you want to use non-jeep-used parts like the TH-350? Something simply isn't jiving here. I'd sit down and take a long thought about what you are really after and what you really want the finished product to be. Then make a game plan and stick to it.
Trust me, getting in the middle of a project then changing your mind or aims is an effort in frustration, costs way more money, and generally makes a project difficult if not impossible to finish.

 

Mentioning automatics. I put a Ford 289 and C4 automatic into a CJ2A. The 289 has a front sump oil pan that was a problem, until I got a pan from a Bronco that had a rear sump. I also needed the extended pick tube for the oil pump. This gave me the clearance that I needed at the front axle. As far as as the rear drive shaft length, I did need to shorten the rear drive shaft a few inches, then shim the rear axle at the spings with beveled spacers to kick up the pinion angle to reduce the u-jount angle. Once complete, I put over 20K miles on this arrangement with no mechanical problems at all. With the Warn Overdrive and 32" tires this thing would really go!