Engine Swap, would you take the little piggy if it was free?

I have been given a wrecked 1984 2x4 S10 with the 2.8. The motor was rebuilt in our machine shop about 5 years ago for a little old lady. I mention this because it means it is a low mileage rebuild I can trust. A quick search reveals it as, tong in cheek, one of the 10 worst motor swaps. I was happy to keep tinkering with the turbo on the F-head but once you dangle a tbi V6 for free... well weakness has set in. I want opinions, don't tell me a Buick or jeep V6 would be better, that the 4.3 has more power or how awesome a 350 would be. None of those things are at my disposal with the $$ on hand. If I had the funds to do that then it wouldn't be spent on toys. My labor is free and materials nearly so. I figure I would need to find a manual equipped 2.8 and steal the plates off the back, how about adapters to the T-90, easy to come by? If it makes a difference, I would pull and pickle the F-head and keep it carefully stored so they can be reunited. The setup would be adapted to the jeep, not the other way around. Everything could be undone in an afternoon... so would you be tempted?

 

In a S 10 they were a royal PITA to do any work on but the same engine in a Cherokee was a sweet little unit. They were very fussy about oil changes, we did a LOT of engine swaps in teh mid 90's on them due to deferred maintenance schedules. THe Cherokee had more engine compartment room to work on one than the Chevy did.... I would think just swapping in the entire S-10 or Jeep tranny , t case, assembly would be the hot setup if the TC outputs are correct.. We lost a LOT of them to the clunker programs but ya might still find some in the Pick a Parts...

 

I thought the later ones had some improvements that made them ok. This is the 60 degree engine, right?

The bell works for an AMC 150 swap, if you are interested in that. http://www.jeeptech.com/convtrans/sm420yj/index.html Assuming it's a 5-speed truck. I presume you could mate the V6 to a SM420 or any other GM pattern transmission with this recipe too.

 

Not a fan of that motor either and would not buy a Cherokee so equiped. If it were me, I would be waiting for some other options.

Isn't there still an all Jeep salvage yard in Plains? Maybe alzheimer's is setting in but sort of recall driving by it a few years back.

 

Head gasket and intake leaking problematic engines with weak bottom end. If you are going to all the work and expense of swapping another engine the I'd do one worthwhile.
Lloyd Novak said it best "just because you have a part does not make it a good swap".


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Most of what the others have said is true for the motor when in use back in 1984 (28 years ago). As for poor gaskets that problem was resolved a long time ago and you said the motor was rebuild so the newer style gaskets should have been used. I have the 3.1L motor in my flat fender and I would invite anyone here to look the vehicle over and/or drive it and then tell me it was not a good swap.

 

I had a 2.8 in an S10 Blazer. I think an L-head flatty was probably more powerful than that turd. Merging on the freeway was a white knuckle experience.

 

The 3.1 while based on a 2.8 is a far cry from a 2.8. Many design changes to address the issues I mentioned including changing intake and head bolt design, bottom end changes, etc. just changing head gaskets, while helpful, won't solve the basic design flaws.

IF I had ALL the parts on hand to do the swap and did not have to hunt down or buy ANY parts maybe I'd consider it. Otherwise I'd entertain other swaps to invest my money.
But, it ain't my Jeep so All I have is an opinion which is worth what I've been paid


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IMHO it's not worth it. If you want more power and you have the abilty to rebuild engines...look around for a 4.3. 5.7 etc core.

For me, the key to keeping cost down is not what I have for free, but having a flexible plan. The plan needs to not a have time limit, being in a hurry cost money! Make a list of acceptable options, keep an eye out for one of the "acceptable" options and eventually something will come along for small money.

I started out with the goal (dream) of a 4.3 th350 D18 in my 57 project (the rust bucket)...but just can't figure out how to get this combination in good working order for under 2K-3K, too much for my toy. Plan B came about when I picked up a decent glass body "with a cj clutch pedal installed" for a few hundred bucks, and a good T15 came along at the same time for $40 bucks. "SO" plan B it is! Now at month 10, I looking at SBC cores...because they are easier to find used parts for, and cheaper to build than 4.3s. Not exactly the original plan, but I'll be happy with a 350/T15 combination. BUT if a 4.3 comes along, I'll bolt it to the T15 in a heart beat!

BTW > th350 to D18 adapters are rare used, and pushing $500 new. The T15 to Chevy adapters are more plentiful used and only a bit over $200 new....anyone have a used Chevy-T15 adapter they want to get rid of??

Take your time, keep your eyes open and the right stuff will come along.

 

It's not a matter of 'needing' a new motor, mine is fine, just if a good 2.8 was dangled for free in front of you would you be tempted? For me swapping motors isn't big deal in the shop. Downside is the Novac adapter kit is $350+ and includes a new imput shaft. Mounting plates we can make in house easy but the shaft... not so much. My search for a manual bellhousing resulted in a mid 80's S-10 blazer with OD. It can be traded for a pickup box trailer made from the wrecked S-10 the motor came from so... now I wonder if motor, tans and t-case would fit... Have to do some measuring and check output sides. Question remains, would you drop the 2.8 in just for some no care romping fun if an afternoon's work would see the beloved F-head back in it's rightful place and no cash is involved. I remain tempted...

 

The blazer transfer case is a driver's side front output. Won't work without changing front axles. The rear output is centered also so the rear axle would need to change.

 

You could probably use the engine only, if the truck has a 5-speed. The S10 bellhousing will bolt up to a GM transmission (see the link I posted earlier). If you used the long T-90 output shaft and GM plate adapter (fairly common used - last one I bought was $50), I expect the stickout and pattern of the adapter would be right to mate to an S-10 5-speed bell.

But that does not get around the strong negativity for that engine, posted earlier. I would be convinced not to use it, and to look for an Astro Van with the 4.3L instead.

 

Eh, the shine is fading. Not willing to make those changes to the jeep for that motor. So.... anyone want a 2.8?

 

I'd put it up for sale local to you then use the money for more Jeep parts/upgrades....
There's sure to be someone who needs one.


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Sometimes things are free because they aren't worth anything....

I like to describe the 2.8 as a grenade with the pin out. The handle stays attached for awhile, but eventually it drops off.

 

Color me a little confused. The Cherokee is either an AMC or Chrysler product, depending on the year. Why would there be a Chevy engine in one? They never came with one originally.

 

Actually the Cherokee did come with a 2.8L engine that AMC bought from Chevy. I don't remember if they bought the engines or just the tooling.

 

You must be talking about the little dinky things. The full sized, which I am more familiar with never had those.
Maybe the Comanche pickups, too?