engine swap

I am thinking of swapping the 304 in my 77CJ for something else....probably a 2.3L Ford.....how much problem would I have getting a kit to install this and it bolt up to the jeep bellhousing? What other options might be better?

 

Here's a good place to start: http://www.novak-adapt.com/

 

Starting in 1980, Jeep started offering the 151 cid (2.5L) GM engine as an option in the CJ. Then, in 1985, they switched to the excellent AMC 150 cid (2.5L) inline 4 as the base option. Rather than swap a V8 Jeep to a 4-cylinder, I suggest that you look around for a CJ that already has one of these engines, and trade "up."

The 4-speed transmissions used with these engines (SR-4, T-4) aren't great, but you can upgrade to a truck 4-speed (see here http://www.jeeptech.com/convtrans/sm420yj/ ) though the T-5 5-speed from that era would likely hold up well behind a 2.5L.

Also, you can pretty easily get a bargain on a 4-cyl YJ... likely the most bang for the buck of any short WB Jeep currently.