Here goes! Engine Swap pics/update

[flyusmc]

We'll
despite the protests of many, I am swapping the 401 4bbl motor from my recently purchased 78 Cherokee WT into my 88 GW.

I am doing this on Peterson Air Force Base Shop, solo. This is my first Motor Swap, but I think things are going smooth so far.

Take a look at the progress.

Also here are the parts I have bought for my rebuild so far.
1. Stock 401 Block
2. Stock Intake manifold
3. Edelbrock 4bbl 1406 CFM Carb.
4. Summet Cam Kit K8600
5. New Bulltear Gold HD rocker arms (Increased crank oiling)
6. New Bulltear AMC-V8 Gold Pushrods (increased crank oiling)
7. New Bulltear Cam bearings (increased pressure setup)
8. New Bulltear AMC V8 HEI Distributor
9. Mr. Gasket full rebuild set
10. Mr. Gasket Oil Pan Valley Gasket
11. Summit TRUE ROLLER TIMING SET AMC
12. BJ's Timing Cover Kit AMC V8: Timing Cover Kit AMC V8
13. BJ's Fuel Pump V8 76-91
14. NAPA 401 to 727 Flexplate.
15. I'll buy a new waterpump.
16. I'm waiting to bring the engine to a machine shop to buy rings, pistions, etc.

17. Here is about the only question I have right now. The 78 has some good headers and I don't know if I want to go with them or stick with stock exhaust manifolds. I'm going for as much torque as possible. Help me decide? :D

How does this combo sound? Am I missing anything?

FLYUSMC

[Elliott]

If you want the torque down low then stick with stock manifolds. Also, you didn't show it listed, but you do know you will need a manifold to carb adaptor... right?

[flyusmc]

... Also, you didn't show it listed, but you do know you will need a manifold to carb adaptor... right?

You know what? I do have an Edelbrock 2696 square bore to Q-Jet adapter, but I had problems with it. First of all the holes are all wrong for the stock intake manifold. The only holes that line up with the stock intake are the outter studs. The screws holes on the inside of the adapotr plate don't match up with the stock intake holes and are useless.

The only thing I can think of is to ream out the stud holes to slide the adapter over and just use the nuts to tighten the entire setup.

BTW I was able to use a modified gasket on the stock exhaust manifold and it seemd to seat ok.

[Elliott]

The AMC spread bore is different than the QJet... I'll dig up a part number for you on the AMC adaptor to square bore.


***edit:
Summit has it for ~$46 TD-Performance aluminum spacer/adapter (part # TRD-2199 (http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?target=%2Fsearch%2Easp%3Ftype%3Dbysumm itpart%26search%2Ex%3D1%26part%3Dtrd%2D2199))

[flyusmc]

Thanks! Since I bought my last adapter through Summit I'll just exhange it with them.

FLYUSMC

[Elliott]

That'll work, it's $53 now: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsearch.asp?Ntt=trd-2199&searchinresults=false&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&N=115

[FSJ Guy]

Got plans for that Cherokee??? Would you like to see it go to a good home? :D

[shimniok]

No personal experience with headers but desktop dyno suggests they will up your torque from 2000-3000rpm. I know they always say headers are for higher end but I think with small enuf tubes maybe it increases flow lower in the power band... but then again the stock manifolds probably flow pretty well and DD may not account for that. To me it'd be a question of whether you want to deal with the PITA of exhaust along with the motor swap PITA... if it were me I'd save it for later. (Well, I guess it was me not long ago when I swapped a motor; could've installed my pair of headers but put it on the to do list like so many, many other things. :D

[jeepsr4ever]

Dont run all those Bulltear increased oiling mods all at once! You will have 65-70psi constantly!!

[flyusmc]

Dont run all those Bulltear increased oiling mods all at once! You will have 65-70psi constantly!!


YIKKES!!!:eek: :eek:


Which one(s) should I run? Is it too late to adjust my order

[jeepsr4ever]

Not too late call tomorrow 651-257-7917

[Ristow]

headers help across the board. they scavenge,helping low rpm,and flow better,helping top. the issue is they're a pain in the pa-tooty. 'specially in a tight engine bay like a big jeep.

[flyusmc]

Got plans for that Cherokee??? Would you like to see it go to a good home? :D


Yeah, I'm gonna rebuild my 360 from my GW and put that in her. Then I'll put her up for sale.

Of course if somene wanted to make me an offer before I rebuild the 360 I'd give um a good deal :D

FLYUSMC

[grand_wag_85]

Got plans for that Cherokee??? Would you like to see it go to a good home? :D

Hmmm, I'm sensing a 401 W/T project in the works:cool:

[Ristow]

oh yeah...LOVE the orange!

[Millerluck]

I'm not sure the starter will work from the '78 on the '88....I asked for a starter for a '74 Matador with a 401. It is the Ford style, but will it reach the flexplate? So you might want to ask about that.

Don't forget to remove the bushing on the inside of the crank. Also spray paint through the big hole on the flex plate to mark the torque converter.

Larry Miller

[fulsizjeep]

Yep Larry... When I put the 76 401 in my 88, I had a unexpected surprise :grumble: and wired in a solenoid and starter for a pre 88 set up. The 88 and newer mitsu starter will not reach the starter ring on the 401/727 flexplate.

[flyusmc]

I'm a little confused on the start thing. The starter that was in the Cherokee 401 won't work in my 88?

Also I finally pulled the engine, and I think it went quite smoothly. A Little tricky pulling the engine to trans bolts, but otherwise pretty smooth.

Two more pics.
1. Motor on the Cherry picker
2. Motor finally out and some of the shop guys/girls who helped at the end.

FLYUSMC

[flyusmc]

Also spray paint through the big hole on the flex plate to mark the torque converter.

Larry Miller


Why would I need to mark the torque converter?

Thanks,
FLYUSMC

[Ristow]

the torque converter mounting holes are assymetrical. they line up only one way,and you cant do it with the engine mated to the tranny due to the counterbalance weight.

you will need a early style flexplate from an AMC car with a 401,then you can use your older style starter the 401 has now. the cars used 727 trannies all through the 70s'.

[Millerluck]

I ordered a starter for a 74 AMC Matador that had a 401 and the 727 trans. It is a big heavy Ford style starter...... Now I am not sure the starter that was on your TH400 trans will work. Need to see if anyone on here knows for sure. I know for sure the starter on the 88 will not work.

When you go to pull the 360 out, just take a sec and mark the torque converter with the large hole on the flexplate. Then you won't have any problem when you line that up with the new one you got from NAPA.

The flexplate to the crank only goes on one way too.

Make sure the converter is all the way back when you put the 401 in too.
They tend to slide out on their own after the old engine is pulled. Keep an eye on the converter as you tighten the engine bolts. Turn it back and forth now and then just to be safe. Any bind at all is bad and something is wrong. With the engine all tight reach through the starter hole and push it forward and start all 4 bolts. Then tighten them down.

Larry

[Ristow]

the older starter style will bolt right up.

[flyusmc]

the older starter style will bolt right up.

Sorry one more time to see if I got this correct...So the older (Stock 1978 starter that attached to the TH400 flexplate) should bolt right up to and turn the new 401 727 flexplate?

Thanks All
FLYUSMC

[Ristow]

yes.