Kaiser 232 I-6 (1969 Gladiator) questions

[jode]

Much to my dismay, I just discovered (through VIN decoding) that the I-6 in the Gladiator I am looking at is a " 6 cylinder 232 smog"

Just a few questions:

1. Is the 232 any good?

2. Does it have any nicknames like "tornado" or anything?

3. What are common problems with it that I could look for in advance

4. How is parts availability?

5. What is the bolt pattern? Is it the same as the later AMC engines?

6. What does the "smog" designation mean (in reference to this engine?

7. Anybody know what tranny/T-case is most likely attached to it? ('69 J-3000 Gladiator)

Whew, that is a lot to ask, but I sure could use some help here.
TIA :cool:

[Stuka]

The 232 is the original 258. The 258 was bored and stroked up over the original 232. I would deam it a goood reliable engine, just like that of the 258.

[jode]

Ahhh....OK, I was thinking it was the 258 originally. Now I see. So parts interchangeablility is equal with the 258? And the bolt pattern is standard AMC?

Thanks Stuke

[Stuka]

I am pretty sure the bolt patern is the same. Most parts interchange with 258's from the early 70's and such. The 80's 258's have differances here and their.

[Cecil14]

The bellhousing pattern is probably the small 6 pattern. AMC changed the bellhousing pattern on the 6s in the early 70's I think to match that on the V8s. Other than that I believe everything should swap between the two fairly well.

The 232 will probably outlast the rest of the truck if taken care of.

Anthony

[jode]

Cecil....didn't they just stop using adaptors to adapt their crazy pattern to nailhead trannies in the early 70s since they got GM to start making the TH400s with the AMC pattern?
Can any one confirm if there eveer was another Jeep bolt pattern or if they have always just adapted to other trannies?

[jode]

Still wondering on the tranny/T-case...and the "smog" designation....
Anyone?

[Stuka]

T-case should be a D20. If its a auto it will be a TH400 (kinda rare to find a 6 with an auto then I think)

Tranny if its a 4sp will probably be a T98 (dont think the T18a came in until 70-71) 3sp I am gona guess a T15/T150.

Smog designation may mean it came with a smog pump. I know some GM's in that era starting in 66 came with a smog designation in certain states, and had smog pumps.

[joe]

The "AMC" 232 is just the early model of the 258. The later 258 is basically a stroked 232(bore is the same). AMC badged them as the "High Torque" I-6. They ran the same conventional bolt pattern as the 258/360/401's. Only Jeep AMC motor to have a unique bolt pattern was the 327 V8. It's a good motor just not as powerful as the 258. A lot of parts are interchangable between the 232/258 depending on the year 258 donor.
The stock tcase is the D20 in 69. Stock trans is the T15A or optional T18A or TH400(nailhead pattern). The D20 will differ depending on trans used. The D20 from an AT won't be a direct swap to a manual w/o mods.
Not sure what you mean by a "smog" motor. Both versions of the 232 ran air pumps and are pretty much the same except for comp ratio. The 4th digit in 69 of the motor# will be either "K" for 7.5 CR or "L" for the 8.5 CR version.

[jode]

Originally posted by -joe:
Not sure what you mean by a "smog" motor. Great info...thanks.

The "smog" designation was something I saw in the tech library under VIN decoding for 69. One of the numbers in the VIN (7) supposedly designates a smog 232.

BTW, it is looking good for my purchase of this vehicle. As of now, the guy is asking $4-500 and I am thinnking I can get him down to $2-300 :D

The TH400 is out as this is a manual, but I didn't see how many speeds. What is the general consensus on the T15 and T18 trannies? Do they tend to hold up good?

Also, what is the difference between them?
THX

[joe]

I don't know much about the T15A 3 speeds except they're better than the earlier T90 3 speeds. The T18(A) 4 speeds are bullit proof.