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Willys cj something?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by CD60, Sep 13, 2006.

  1. Sep 13, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    I believe it's an even fire, 1977-1978. Casting number is 1254083
     
  2. Sep 13, 2006
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Dist Cap says OF - several folks (Orange comes to mind) have put Holley kits on the OF and gotten them to work real well.

    Axles – I am swapping in a NT Dana 30 w/discs, 4.88’s and OX locker in the front, rear will be a Dana 44 offset, FF Kit, 4.88’s, OX, 11” drums. That with the SM465, D18 and Warn OD makes it just about perfect to me (with my other toys on it as well). Try keeping the setup and moving a little at a time. I only run 31” tires and can go places TJs and YJs with 33s have trouble with. There is a whole different level of geometry involved in these flatties. A lot of the newer ‘you gotta have’ does not apply – shorter and narrower wheel base can be a great advantage if used right.
     
  3. Sep 13, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    Well now I'm totally confused! The chart I read showed my casting number as being even fire. What is the difference between the dist caps?
     
  4. Sep 13, 2006
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    8 vs 6 posts on the cap - OF uses 6 of the 8 in the cap - EF only has the 6 in the cap. Check the crank to make sure.
     
  5. Sep 13, 2006
    runnamuck

    runnamuck look out!

    hickory, nc
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    if you want a willys tailgate, just buy one. if the holes bother you, weld them up. i looks good to me like it is. fix the engine cooling problem and go 4lo for fun, especially in cali.
     
  6. Sep 13, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    Yeah your right it can be fixed, but it has no tailgate at all right now. So if I want all the Willys stuff I'll have to cut the tub for the tailgate, buy a new hood and new windshield frame. So I figure why not just replace the whole thing. Although the body will be the last thing I deal with.

    I'll tell you that my last project was a stock 1989 Mustang. By the end it had over 600HP, a full rollcage and it was very scary to drive. That's just a little insight into my sickness. I get going and somehow always lose my sense of enough is enough. Always wanting to make it better.

    But anyway just wanted to say you guys are awesome and I really appreciate all your help and ideas. If you have any other thoughts please keep em coming.
     
  7. Sep 13, 2006
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Indeed. Looks good to me too.

    The SBF is a fine engine, but I think it'd be really tight in a flattie. Not ideal. The V6s are popular today because they fit the engine compartment so well, and are widely available, light, inexpensive and powerful for their size and weight. Remember that a flattie is light (not much over a ton in stock trim), and will really scoot with a V6. IMO you've got the ideal engine now.

    Looks like fun - drive it!

    Welcome from Boston!
     
  8. Sep 13, 2006
    coby61

    coby61 Stupidiotic Member

    Prunedale CA
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    I had a SBC 283 in my 3b and it was very tight length wise. I had no room to add PS so I went with the 4.3/SM465 and now I have alot more room. My original plan was to go to a SBF 5.0/NP435 but after measuring the Ford specs against the Chevy dimensions in the jeep I decided against it.
    My $.02
     
  9. Sep 13, 2006
    jeepbandit

    jeepbandit New Member

    Ellsworth, N.H.
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    Apr 28, 2005
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    I swapped a 360 AMC motor into my '59 cj5 and found it way over powered. I took it out and put a 225 in it that i'm now trying to get going again. Take a look at the horsepower and torqe #'s for that little six, you might be surprised! BTW take a look at my avatar.
     
  10. Sep 13, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    I think you guys have got me convinced on staying with the motor I have. I would like to change it over to EFI though, so if anyone has any links that would be great. I would also like to change trannys. Is the T18 a viable option or is there a better choice? I would like to have a 4 speed.
     
  11. Sep 13, 2006
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    Yeh a better choice would be either an SM 420 or 465. An 18 would work but it would just mean even more adapters
     
  12. Sep 13, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    Is one or the other stronger or better?
     
  13. Sep 13, 2006
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
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    Mar 17, 2003
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    2,706
    Both have advantages and disadvantages. When I was looking at them they came out as a draw. Yeh the 420 has a lower 1st gear but you won't notice .5/1 difference at that low. 465 is easier to find.
    Both will require adapters.
     
  14. Sep 13, 2006
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I went with the 465 as with adaptor it is the overall shorter setup (nose to output). For drive shaft length you need to take the whole length into account. It also allows you to have the Warn OD and with the 4.88 axles a nice rig.
     
  15. Sep 13, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    One more question for you guys. Is there a way to tell from the frame exactly what year my Jeep is? Or maybe within a couple of years. Like I said there are no numbers on it.
     
  16. Sep 13, 2006
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Really? I did quite a bit of research on my swap. All the info I found was that the SM trans swap ran longer than the T18. My T18 swap came out 3/4" longer than the stock T14 and bellhousing adapter. If what you are saying is true, then it is kind of a bummer, as the SM swap would have been a bit simpler(not much).
     
  17. Sep 13, 2006
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Not sure on the T18 - I was comparing the 465 to the 420, didn’t go down the T18 path as there was too many variables that I didn’t want to contend with.

    CD60 –based on axles:
    The Dana 41-2 was used in the CJ-2A after serial number #13453 in early '46 and it was used in the CJ-3A until serial number #37549 (late '50). Looking at the diff cover, it appears as tall as a Dana 44, but not as wide. It was also used in Willys Wagons and Jeepster VJs during this time period.
    Model/Version Spring Pads Wheel to Wheel Years
    Dana 41-2/CJ 28" 51" '46-'50
    Dana 41-2/Willys Wagon 28" 51" '46-'50
    Dana 41-2/Willys Pickup 28" 51" '47-'50
    Dana 41-2/Jeepster VJ
     
  18. Sep 14, 2006
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I think the T-18 wouldn't be much harder than the Muncie transmissions: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm This should work for the Jeep truck T-18 too; AFAIK only one of the mounting holes is different. This would allow a T-18 swap without any commercial adapters, though you'd need to find or buy the Ford input shaft and retainer.

    You could also use a Jeep or IH 4WD T-18 main shaft and adapter in a Ford 2WD T-18 and then follow Novak's instructions exactly. No adapters needed. A Binder T-18 in particular should be a real cigar butt (cheap), since they are different from all others at the front end.
     
  19. Sep 18, 2006
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Is the front crossmember round? Tubular could mean round or square to me.
     
  20. Sep 18, 2006
    CD60

    CD60 Member

    Northern California
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    Yes it's round.
     
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