1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Jeep Vigilante 327 motor? Ever heard of it?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Brent74cj5, Feb 18, 2008.

  1. Feb 18, 2008
    Brent74cj5

    Brent74cj5 Brent74cj5

    tennessee
    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2007
    Messages:
    29
    Anyone ever heard of a jeep Vigilante 327 motor? Built in 1962? Haven't seen anything on the tech library... Thanks!:?
     
    Brent74cj5, Feb 18, 2008
    #1
  2. Feb 18, 2008
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    sparky, Feb 18, 2008
    #2
  3. Feb 18, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Well, not as desirable as some, but a battleship of an engine, in its time. The first generation AMC V8, came in 250, 287 and 327 cid sizes. Only the 327 was used in Jeeps. See my comments in the other thread.
     
    timgr, Feb 18, 2008
    #3
  4. Feb 18, 2008
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    I stand corrected. I was under the impression parts were difficult to get and thus it wasn't desirable.
     
    sparky, Feb 18, 2008
    #4
  5. Feb 18, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    that could be....I had one in a 68 waggy, it was a great motor (wish I still had that rig:()
    Jim S.
     
    bkd, Feb 18, 2008
    #5
  6. Feb 18, 2008
    mrhp

    mrhp Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2005
    Messages:
    95
    I had one in a pick-up with a 4 gear. Always ran good. I had a spare one out of a boat with dual sidedraft carters on it. It looked awesome! 280 horse if I remember correctly. When I moved, the engine made it to the scrap yard. I saved the Carters and intake only to leave them at my former place of work after I left!:cry: I'll feel better some day!
     
    mrhp, Feb 18, 2008
    #6
  7. Feb 18, 2008
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,463
    My 66 Gladiator had a 327….ran great for me.
     
    Chuck, Feb 18, 2008
    #7
  8. Feb 18, 2008
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Ok, ok, ok, my point was it's a bit odd, it's more difficult to find parts for than say a Chevy 327 which is what people often think it is.

    I did not mean to intone that it wasn't reliable, just not as desirable as another option that was easier to source parts for. :oops:
     
    sparky, Feb 18, 2008
    #8
  9. Feb 19, 2008
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2002
    Messages:
    12,375
    :? I don't think anyone is disputing your original comment that it's not overly desirable. I had one too in a '66 gladiator. Good engine but I wouldn't see any reason to go out and look for one unless I wanted to do an original equipment application for a restoration.
     
    Glenn, Feb 19, 2008
    #9
  10. Feb 19, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Yep, that was my point. I didn't mean to dispute your post Sparky, but instead to just elaborate.

    IIRC someone here (?) put a 327 in a Jeepster... but IMO they are too heavy and big for any practical use other than in their original application. They are anchor heavy, but have a steel crank and steel rods, and have a reputation for being smooth and durable. If you had one, you could probably keep it running by picking up a spare engine or two. Their two main faults AFAIK are 1) timing chain (usual nylon toothed item) and 2) starter (Prestolite, cooked by the exhaust). There's a guy on the net that sells geared replacement starters, and you can get the internal engine parts through Kanter and other places. Would probably cost 2-3 times as much to rebuild one as a Chevy though, unless you were saavy enough to pick and choose what was needed.
     
    timgr, Feb 19, 2008
    #10
  11. Feb 19, 2008
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Sorry, it's hard to read what's meant and I read more into it than I should have. Bad day I guess. :beer:
     
    sparky, Feb 19, 2008
    #11
  12. Feb 19, 2008
    Bob

    Bob Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    438
    Yeah, we had one in our '66 J-3000 with a T-98A behind it. It was a smooth runner.
     
    Bob, Feb 19, 2008
    #12
  13. Feb 20, 2008
    kaiser_willys

    kaiser_willys Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2007
    Messages:
    1,524
    saw one... in junkyard, long time ago, looked like a brute of a engine, looked at the 327 badges on fender, first impression was its got a chevy 327, poped the hood and stood corected
     
    kaiser_willys, Feb 20, 2008
    #13
New Posts