Looking to swap out my old 360 for....

[XxJuicyBurgerxX]

So my '79 J10 has been sitting on the driveway for maybe 3 years now (while I've been at ASU), but I'm looking to possibly change that. Currently it has a 360 with a Howell fuel injection kit, but I was never impressed with the set up (or the 6mpg).

I always had plans to drop in a rebuilt 401, but my dad is trying to push me toward a chevy 350. My current goal is to make it a daily-driver (with it and a dual sport replacing my '98 camaro) and therefore I'm hoping to get around 15+ mpg city (if at all possible).

So the question is.... What engine should I go with? If I switch to a 350 what kind of labor is involved here? (new tranny, transfer case, etc??)

If I remember correctly I have a Turbo 400 Tranny and a Dana 20 transfer case.

As for cost, I'm trying to keep it low (of course) but I want to satisfied. I'm looking on spending close to $5000, the more labor I can get in there the better since I probably won't have enough time to do it all myself.

Thanks for all the imput!

[The Colonel]

Unless your going to stay with an AMC power plant 360/401, with your 5k budget and desire for mileage I'd swap in an oil burner.

[Dumpy]

Yup 4 cyl diesel...have fun! The TH400 adapter is around a grand.

[FSJunkie]

4.0L.

[Cappicaper]

I am all over you Howell FI if you are going to scrap it! Let me know. You may also look at keeping the 360 and swapping in an overdrive transmission. Certainly less that 5K but wouldn't be as cool as a 4BT or 6BT swap.

Seriously interested in the Howell to help fund you new project

[cherokees]

I'd say rebuild the 360 and spend the rest on other upgrades. Alot can be done to a jeep with 5k. A properly tuned fuel injected 360 should do MUCH better than 6mpg.

[dusty]

you want a daily driver then a 6.2 diesel with 700r4 and 208 t-case can be had for cheap. like $1000 or less for a whole rig. fuel tank, exhaust, fuel lines motor mounts and radiator with labor $2k more. you rebuild the tranny and clean up the motor your in it $2k more.

a 4bt can be picked up with a TH400 for $2000-2500 put the d20 adapter on there, fuel tank radiator, wiring hoses and motor mounts you'll be in it another $2k and thats a bandaid job. do it ight replace a bunch of stuff and make it all clean and new your in it alot more.

A tbi chevy 350 will get the same mileage as the 360 so you arent gaining much jsut spending more money on getting the same results, motor mounts, change the tranny, new radiator etc.


....... any conversion will have headaches equally the 350 is no less problematic than your 360 vs the diesel options. price it out there are ways to squeeze pennies but if you want the most mileage its going to be in an oil burner.

I loved my 4bt and i had alot of the parts to make the combination that i had.... and i'd do it again but if i couldnt find a 4bt or i had emissions to deal with the 6.2 would be my next choice. But i jsut dont have the need right now

[jaber]

the 6.2 would be my next choice.

I was reading somewhere that a guy put dual Mitsu turbos onto a 6.2 and said the low end spool up was awesome....

Heres another vote for keping the 360 and the TBI.
It sounds to me like your Howel kit needs tuned. My wifes '88, when running in top shape, gets close to 18MPG combined. Rebuilt 360, RV cam, TBI and 2.72 gears. Keeping your foot out of the skinny pedal helps a lot.

[wiley-moeracing]

motor help

If you need help, let me know, I am on the other side of town. If you have a 401 for sale let me know as I am getting ready to pull my 360 out of my j-10(building a prerunner) but may build my 360 if I can not locate a builder 401 for the right price. Thanks Tim

[Ristow]

i'd get the 360 running well,put a good 4 barrel on it ,mild cam and save the rest of the money.

[bilgamesh]

I say put a 2bbl Holley 500 cfm carb on there to double your gas mileage, and save the rest. You can buy alot of gas for $4800.

[Suddendeath]

I say put a 2bbl Holley 500 cfm carb on there to double your gas mileage, and save the rest. You can buy alot of gas for $4800.

Thats the logic I use when people tell me to a buy a new truck. For the cost of a new truck, I can buy tons of fuel for my FSJ...and parts for it too

[bilgamesh]

On the other hand it is always good to have these upgrade projects to keep us busy.

[gladman]

4.0L.

yep.

[bilgamesh]

What are the advantages?

4.0L.

What would be the merits/demerits of the 4.0?