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V8 Cj5 How Bad.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Cowboyjeeper, May 31, 2019.

  1. Jun 1, 2019
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

    norfolk,va
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    That is a swap I keep thinking about for my 75. Just may do it someday.
     
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  2. Jun 1, 2019
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Friends of earlycj5.com
    Think thats the fb group

    Security Check Required
     
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  3. Jun 3, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    My Friend had a '68 CJ5 with a 327 in it . Don't know the gearing but he could smoke all 4 wheels ! ;)
     
  4. Jun 3, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    I'd do it , in a NY second, If I could ever find a 327 ! :bananatool:
     
  5. Jun 3, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Cowboyjeeper,
    I got a Buick turbo V6 SFI from a Grand National mated to a 700R4 4 speed auto that I want to swap out . It's in my ' 75 CJ5. It runs great on the trails hills + it will do 85 mph on the Hi way ! We could trade , if we weren't purdy near clear across the Country from each other ! :whistle:
     
  6. Jun 3, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

    Show low az
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    You are pretty far but I like the way this one is set up and I don’t wanna mess with emissions.
    Thanks though. Sounds like a killer setup all around. That Buick motor is a beast
     
  7. Jun 3, 2019
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    Yes Sir.... I Don't blame you one bit. I've been yearn'n for a 327 since , well..... 1975 !
    BTW, To tell the difference between the two is:
    1) There is a web cast into the block next to the water pump mounting boss below the right head. On a 283 you can put your finger between the water pump boss and the web. On a 327 this web was moved closer and you can't put your finger between the boss and the web.
    2) You can look at the rear crank flange also. The 283's are round and 327's have a notch.

    Any way, I understand that it's all in the gearing. Pretty sure whoever dropped that engine in mated them up well.
    Good luck with your great score & keep us posted , with pics of course & the way she runs down the trail & road.
    Thanks.....
    Richie -----------Lockman
     
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  8. Jun 3, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

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    Thanks I can’t wait to start messing with it but work is going to have me away for a while. Can’t hardly wait to start messing with it.
    If I ever put something else in there I’ll keep ya in mind. I think it will be a fun jeep
     
  9. Jun 5, 2019
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    This seems like a very well rounded setup. I'd keep it as is and enjoy the heck out of it.
     
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  10. Jun 5, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

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    With what have been learning here and other research that’s what I plan to do. It seems to be s good set up. Thanks to everybody for the input
     
  11. Jun 5, 2019
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I installed the first sbc in my 3B in 1974. That was a 327 paired with the T90. Never had a single problem with that. Forward a couple a years and I installed a 1970 LT 1 350 paired with a Muncie M20 (wide ratio). Completely wicked with 5.38 gears on the road but next to worthless on the trail. That only lasted a couple of years before I put together a 381 using a 400 crank-well before any 383 kits were around. Worked near perfect both on and off road with that same M20. It worked well enough off road I eventually swapped to 4.09 gears. And now there is what I feel will be about as good as it gets with naturally aspirated Jeep power sitting on the engine stand-a 441 inch sbc, all aluminum and built specifically for low end torque.

    If I had purchased what you did I would absolutely run it. It WILL work. I still feel strongly that a V8 will almost always perform better on and off road than a V6. We won't even mention those archaic 134's. Just a little bit more of an engineering job to install than a V6 and you need to address the whole drivetrain accordingly. Nice looking CJ!
     
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  12. Jun 5, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

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    Thanks for the info, input and thoughts. I’m lucky in the sense that it’s been this way for years and is a known good combo
     
  13. Jun 6, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I think the saying is..... If it ain't broke, don't fix it....... Run it for a while and get a feel for what you actually use the jeep for. Personally, I can't stand the car 4 speeds in a jeep due to the shifter location. I ran a 3 groove Saginaw 4 speed for a while, they are stronger than the t90,86,14 and some offer a lower 1st gear.
    No matter what direction you currently have in mind, I really can't stress enough that you need to drive that jeep and get a feel for what you are really looking to do. It will save you allot of money in the long run.
     
  14. Jun 6, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    It seems the main issue here is how high the seating is and how narrow the CJ is, and that it was originally designed for a top-shifting transmission. The passenger car transmissions like the M20 and T-10 don't have a top-shifting option, but these transmissions work fine with a side-shifter when the driver sits lower and further left as in your typical sedan. The T-10 and Super T-10 (and I presume the Muncie) were really popular back in the '60s and '70s for dune runner CJs. So these conversions are still out there.

    Note there is an automotive 4-speed that does have a top shift option - the Ford Top Loader, Ford's version of the Muncie that was used in their muscle cars. The Jeep T-17x is that same transmission, built under contract by Tremec for Jeep, with different ratios, an aluminum case, a NP-case-compatible output, and a top shifter. Supposedly (no personal experience) the T-17x top shifter will drop on to the Ford Top Loader, and this combo is said to be popular with Rat Rod builders. Jeepers could use that too, and get a top shifting close-ratio 4-speed with an iron case that (I presume) is considerably stronger than the T-176. Advance makes an adapter for these transmissions to the 18 and 20, if you were interested Advance Adapters Transfer Case Adapters 50-2000
     
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  15. Jun 6, 2019
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    No reason a side shifter has to be in the way. Easy to make an offset shifter stick to fit a Hurst shifter. This one is offset about 4 inches.
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Jun 6, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

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    That was my plan and is why I started this thread to see what everyone thought. N what I was in for.
     
  17. Jun 6, 2019
    Cowboyjeeper

    Cowboyjeeper Member

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    I was thinking About doing something like that I figured it would work OK. Yours looks very clean
     
  18. Jun 6, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    John,
    That is a very clean setup. Way back in my build thread, I did everything I could to get my hurst shifter as comfortable as possible. I lowered it, moved it rearward, built new linkages, made offset shift lever and got the smallest boot possible. Still no room for my heal. Maybe the factory offset of the of the v6 on the frame makes it worse? IDK? But changing to the T18 with good old shift cane did the trick for me. There are everybody has their favorite setup, that was not mine.
     
  19. Jun 6, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    This was my Saginaw after I pulled it out. I remember the shifter mechanism barely clearing the gas tank.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Jun 6, 2019
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I pulled this pic from half way down page 2 of my build. This was the final shifter location after moving it rearward and down. The bear sheet metal is covering a giant hole where the shifter had previously been located. It's not the worst thing in the world; and its a better geared transmission than t90,86 and 14. I just did not care for it.
    I should add that I once made the mistake of wet lubing the hurst shifter before driving on dusty roads........ I ended up using a graphite dry lube after a complete disassembly and cleaning.

    [​IMG]
     
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