Swapping Out A Super Hurricane For A 225 Dauntless. How Much Trouble Should I Expect?

lightner, owner of a '59 pick up with engine issues. should i replace the super hurricane with an original or swap with a dauntless?

 

If you don't already have the Buick 225 you might also consider a Buick v8 or Chevy. A Chevy would be cheaper and efi.

 

i am not sure i have enough room for a v8. i don't want a lot of surgery. i would also prefer to use the existing drive train. is the super hurricane a terrible engine? i am not really looking for high performance just a durable engine

 

The adapters would be the same to retain the t-90j with Buick or Chevy v6 or v8. I wouldn't say the stock engine is terrible since it lasted this long. The issue I see is the cost to operate. If it costs 2x more to maintain an engine with the same performance there is a point at which the work pays off in due time.

 

Just look at the numbers. How much to rebuild what you have VS how much a replacement engine and adapters is. I wouldn't go odd fire unless you had one really cheap.. Engines on craigslist can be a bargain for one that runs..No rebuild required.. Chevy, ford...Citroen.

 

i am completely ignorant of engine swaps. i envision nightmarish details like clutch, brake, and throttle controls. exhaust issues. carving out fenders and fire wall. i am a bit nervous i would love to have a v6

 

"engines from eBay". i just purchased a 'running super hurricane', had it shipped and installed. the engine is nicely painted but pure junk. i am a bit leery of long distance purchases

 

I have Willys Wagons, different version of your pickup. The flathead 226 is durable, but getting harder to find parts for a rebuild. Kaiser Willys and a couple others probably have the parts, but they're not an inexpensive rebuild. They are kind of antiquated, but work fine for backroad driving.
A Buick 225 or later 231 V6 is a potential swap, as are small Chevy or Ford V8s. An old Chevy 283 or 327 is an easy swap and are cheap to rebuild. I prefer the 283, but these smaller engines are getting hard to find too. The original Jeep T90 transmissions hold up to mild small V8s just fine, and adapter plates bolt right onto your long input shaft T90 to mate to a Chevy bellhousing. The only drawback of the Chevy engine is the rear distributor which may require dinging in the firewall in a small spot for clearance. A larger V8 like a 350 is a bit much for the original T90.
The Buick engines may swap in with the appropriate BOP bellhousing just like the Chevy.
All are good options. You need to go with what your most comfotable with.
-Donny

 

sold to me as a complete running engine. distributor pedastal was broken, starter was no good and the water pump was no good. never did get it to fire. compression test showed ~
9o psi. some scoring in cyl's. it appeared that a piston ring in #4 cyl let go. dent on edge of piston and lots of dings/scratches on head and piston. #5 was similar but not as severe. the engine definitely appeared to be a recent rebuild. (gaskets, ease of disassembly, clean). maybe someone forgot to fill the pan with oil before virgin start-who knows. she damn-well won't start now. oh well

 

i would like to know how to post a pic of my pick up instead of that pointy testosterone symbol. oh well

 

i do appreciate all the help and insight y'all have given. i may get this beast back on the road yet. there are many things i know very little about.
and the beat goes on

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Greetings to the forum