Buick V6 or 304 V8?

Here's a new question about an old subject; I have looked thru some of the old threads prior to posting this question (leaded vs unleaded gas, hardened seats, timing chain).

I may be purchasing another jeep (like I need another 1 to add to the collection; in the process of selling my 95 to lighten the load- HEHEHEHEHE). It's a 71 cj5 with the Buick V6, very good condition. Anyway, my 74 cj5 has a 304 V8 (just needs a new MC2100 carb). I am considering pulling the 304 and dumping it into the 71, then selling off the 74 as a rolling chasis. Don't get me wrong, I love my 74, but the body needs some work. It would be better to buy a new tub, and save the hood and front fenders.

I am of the frame of mind (seen it here too) that don't mess with something or make changes if it isn't broken. The other option is pull the 304, keep it for a later project, and still sell my 74.

Any suggestions?

 

Keep the V-6 they are cool and have plenty of power.

 

Anyone know a good answer to how to determine if the engine (Dauntless V6) is evn versus odd fired? Is 1 better than the other?

I asked the seller a few questions about the motor and he said it was the first time someone asked that question.

I see there are many V6 fans out there.

THANKS!

 

Mmm. 225 hp = 304 hp? I think not. If you use the same metric, they will be different in about the same proportion to their difference in cid.

1971: 160hp/225cid = .71
1971: 210hp/304cid = .69

Less than a 3% difference.

The 225 is a good engine, but no barn burner in stock trim.

The 304 will fit in the engine compartment of the '71, but the V6 fits a lot better. The V6 was/is a popular swap for good reason. Using a particular engine for a swap just because you have it on hand is a common mistake ... you'll waste time and money, and your results will likely fail to match your expectations.

The stock T-14 is only adequate with the V6, and is undersized for the 304. Jeep stepped up to the T-15 for the V8 Jeeps, for good reason. You'd want to take the 304 and T-15 for the '71, if you did it.

I'd suggest you fix the body on your '74 and keep it. Body work on Jeeps is easy - all straight panels and simple curves. If you can't fix it with flat steel, the replacement panels are available. Either that, or sell your '74 to someone who wants it, and put the money toward the '71.

 

Skeptical. For that to be true, the curb weight of a CJ-5 from '71 to '72 CJ-5 would have to increase by 1/3. If the '71 weighed 2500 lbs (light IME), then the '72 would have to weigh 3,250, which is unrealistically high. I believe that Jeep lists the curb weight of the intermediate CJ-5 at about 2750, which means that the '71 would have to weigh 2116 to have the same P/W ... that's just not realistic.

Compared to the slab-sided 4x4s that competed with the '71 CJ-5 in 1971, I would expect them to be heavy enough that the P/W of the V6 equipped CJ would be similar. In the day, the V6 CJs were considered 'peppy', but the 304 equipped CJs were a significant step up in power.

 

The Buick engines are very nice ... they have a powerful seat-of-the-pants feeling. The Dauntless 350 feels that way too. I have many more hours behind the 350 (Gladiator dually flatbed) than the 225 (beach city Jeeps only), so my subjective opinion really doesn't mean much.

However, I have now owned two different 304 CJs, and I guess I'm honor bound to defend them!

 

Like these ads from 1968.

 

I'm really just trying to follow along and gain info here but, I believe you said the 6-225 and the 8-304 had the same "performance".
It seems there's maybe some kindof personal thing going on here, I dunno.
Possibly a definition of "performance" is in order here.
Though I have not owned either a 225 nor 304, from personal experience, research of specs and testimony of owners, that I personally know, that had the rigs powered by the engines in question, there's no question that the 225 (and other V-6's) provide all the "performance" that a CJ "needs" to accomplish practically anything ... but, compared to a 304 for "performance", ie, brute force to the axles, payload pulling power, raw speed off the line and beyond ... in a CJ ... I'm anxious to read the citations and experiences that equate the 225 and 304 in terms of ultimate, all-'round, performance

 

HEY!!! Whats wrong with that

If there is nothing wrong with the V6 def. stick with it. I wouldnt mess with swapping it unless the engine is just slap wore out...even then for $$ sake and the amount of time it will be down doing the swap it may be better off to find a good used V6 to swap in.

 

Keep the v6. Do you think it lacks power? Jeep not fast enough? Way to much trouble to swap in the 304 for what you will get.

And I have a 304. And want a 401 so what do I know?

 

304's are awesome, but the V6's can hold their own. Just depends on what the driver wants. HP goes up, fuel econ. goes down. Making reliability go down due to increase in fuel consumption. I see it here with mud buggies and large engines.

 

I have never thought the 304 worth its weight in "swap". I thought the 210 sounded very high for the 304 HP. The AMC wiki says "1972-78 models were rated at 150 hp". I chose the 72-78 as that is what he has, not a 71 304 which is rated at 210. I have had jeep CJs with 258s, 304s, 360s and 401s. I have always thought the 304 underpowered as a V8 and the 401 over kill. Even the 304 "performance" motor I had was "seat of the pants" less powerful than the stock 360. I know part of it was gearing.

For what you will loose trying to sell the 74 motor-less it isn't worth it. Especially if it is a running driving jeep.

 

I compared '71 to '71 because the methods used to rate HP (gross v. net) changed in that era. The later numbers are always lower for equivalent engines compared across the change.

AFAIK the '71 and '72 304s are identical.

 

I'd say jeep the v6 in its original rig, especially if it runs.

The best advantage to the 304, it sounds like a v8, where the dauntless sounds kinda like a tractor with a missing plug wire.

I love my 304, its alot of motor for a cj.