Chebby 350 into a J-10...

[gp_frk]

Starting a new thread so I can get more opinions. I really want to go this route after discussing it with FSJeeper (I appreaciate your help and patience). So what do you guys think. The specs on the truck are in my sig. I want to drop in a Chebby 350 crate engine. What's it gonna take besides a big shoe horn?

BTW this is the original thread that got me thinkin in this direction. (http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=007474)

[ October 07, 2002, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: gp_frk ]

[mdill]

Lots of $'s and time, other than that it is pretty strieght forward.
Besides exhust, cooling system, electrical, engine mounts, most
likely drives lines, clutch linkage, input shaft on the transfer case
(I beleive you will need to use the longer V8 input shaft to keep
the cepbby out of the fire wall) trans adapter.
I think all the rest can stay stock.

Mike D.

[gp_frk]

Mdill I am being told different in that thread.

[FSJeeper]

Jeep had several different length input shafts on T-18's over the years. They also used spacer adapters to move the T-18 back. The thing that counts is how long the shaft is where it bolts to the bellhousing. Most Jeeps are 7.25" and you need 6.5" for the Chevy. You use a Chevy pressure plate and jeep clutch disk and an Advance Adapters Jeep to Chevy pilot bushing.

I have never swapped a Chevy in where an AMC 6 cylinder was, but I have done it on AMC V-8 FSJ's and there is no clearance issue and no need to alter the drivetrain. You will have to measure to be sure but I would guess it would be a tight fit, but should clear.

Motor mounts are a none issue, buy Advance Adapter and forget about it. Your current radiator can be used by having a radiator shop move the hose outlets. Wiring is simple, not an issue, exahust is a no brainer with rams horn exhaust manifolds.

Basically, this is no harder to do than if you swapped in another 258. Just a few more details to deal with.

BTW, you could also go GM diesel.

[gp_frk]

Fire wall is a none issue too.

I got a 3lb sledge to take care of that

[mdill]

No dissagreement, I believe most any other V8 could be dropped in in place
of an AMC V8 without moving the trans. But the rear of the I6 sits farther back in the
engine compartment than the stock V8. I don't think there is any chance that a V8
would drop in without moving the rear end of the engine further forward than the
stock 6 location, that is what opens a can of worms as far as what all needs to
be moved changed adapted. None of the problems is insolveable just expect
the unexpected. (One way around it is to tourch a hole in the firewall and make
room for the V8 in the six location, besides being ugly that has its own problems)

Good luck with your desicion. personally I beleive you can build a pretty nice
258, or even a stroker AMC I6 for less cost and cleaner final job than what
you can swap any other engine in for. The best part of staying close to stock is
that you can budget the job, and come pretty close. With swaps take what you
think it will cost, take that number X 2 and that should be close by the time all
the details are flushed out.

Mike D.

[FSJeeper]

Next to the Buick 350, the 258 is the finest engine Jeep ever used. Are you sure it needs a rebuild? Did you do a compression check? Bleed down check? If your compression is OK, maybe all you need is a good valve job, new cam/lifters, and timing chain. Those 258's are very, very durable. Maybe you do not a complete overhaul to keep you in the game.

[Panther]

The trick would be to find a 80-83 CJ GM 151 (2.5L) "Iron Duke" bell hoising for T176. With that, at least everything will bolt up drivetrain wise....

[Josh D]

I'd stick with the 258. Simple R&R job. Swaps can be nice if money is not an object.

[FSJeeper]

Even if you have to move your trans/tcase forward, it is very easy to do, the holes are already drilled in the frame for the V-8 mounting.
Just move everything up to the V-8 crossmember mounts and shorten your front driveshaft, lengthen the rear. The shaft work is not expensive.

Or you can leave it where it is an run a Ranger OD unit.

[gp_frk]

Ok the engine in the jeep spun the #1 rod bearing into oblivion. It was paper thin and razor sharp. Journals look like crap now. I washed about a handful of bearing dust out of the oil pan so I am sure the cylinders are nice and scarred up. Every shop I have called (about 10) is either a con or they want 2500.00. So if I can do this swap for about the same price that I was goin to drop then why not do it. I'm money ahead. The thing I need to know is will it work the way I am being told it will. It all sounds like it will work but I sorta need some deffinates.

[gp_frk]

Ranger OD?

[FSJeeper]

OK, your 258 is toast. If you would be willing to spend $2500 on a 258 the Chevy 350 swap is viable and will increase the value of your FSJ. For sure you can easily do this swap within a $2500 budget
and have a 5 year year, 50,000 mile GM warranty.

Ranger OD is an auxillary transmission that mounts in front of your T-18. It is 7 3/8" long which would be perfect to get the Chevy where is needs to be. You would have a 27% overdrive and the ability to split all of you gears. You would have 16 forward speeds.

If you decide to do this, I have pretty much everything you need from prior projects including the Ranger OD, AA bellhousing, intakes and accessories, speed equipment, etc. etc. I have a built 427 SBC engine but I am keeping that but I do have a 6.2 diesel with 9,800 miles on it that I don't need. I have been known to cut good deals.

[gp_frk]

you've got mail

[mdill]

Are you sure you are compairing apples to apples here ?
2500 Seems about right +/- for a complete installed longblock
with incidentals such as new clutch, water-pump belts, hoses,
rod out the radiator ..
drop it off on Monday pick it up on friday, labor included.
2500 for a bare long block seems pretty darn steep.

If you are paying labor, $2500 will not buy the labor needed
never mind the parts.

The ranger would be pretty cool, a two speed trany that goes between
the trans and the bellhousing, ala instant spacer ! ($1000+ though)

Mike D.

[gp_frk]

MD
I am talkin no labor 1350 for a long block reman 258. Plus a few odds and ends adds up to around 16 - 17 hundred. I never said 2500.00 FSJeeper did. But still that is a bit steep in my book. If I can piece this thing together for around 2 I think I can swing it and stay married. smile.gif

[mdill]

Oh ,

You want to stay married, stay away from the swap idea. To much time
too many bad moments if done for the wrong reasons. Saving money
or breaking even is not the right reason. Swaps are fun and they can
have a good upside but are much better left for play toys that don't
have to be done in a set time for a set budget. There gets to be alot of
detail work that is kinda fun when done when taking your time, but under
time and $ presure the details will eat you alive.

Mike D.

[gp_frk]

Not time pressure and really not money pressure. She bought me the truck. But I have to be able to explain it to her so it makes logical since. I'm not comin to the table and goin "Hun I am goin to get a bigger more powerful engine for the truck that cost 3 times as much jut for the heck of it OK."

[FSJeeper]

Originally posted by gp_frk:
Every shop I have called (about 10) is either a con or they want 2500.00. So if I can do this swap for about the same price that I was goin to drop then why not do it. I'm money ahead. The thing I need to know is will it work the way I am being told it will. It all sounds like it will work but I sorta need some deffinates.That is where I got the $2500 price. I figure you could do it for $2000 or less real easy.

[gp_frk]

Yeah i saw that after i posted. HEHEHE
Have you checked your AOL account yet Jeeper?

[gp_frk]

Jeeper you got mail again

[PAJEEPER]

I'd go for the swap. Sounds easy enough to me. Especially since you have FSJeeper there with all the cool parts. It will be an awesome rig then and the 350 parts are sooo cheap. You can build a really nice engine for way less than a 360.

[ October 07, 2002, 01:37 PM: Message edited by: PAJEEPER ]

[gp_frk]

See Greg that is exactly what I am thinkin.

[gp_frk]

How's this one look fellas? (http://www.greenwoodchevy.com/engine14.htm)

[gp_frk]

btt