Chevy engine swap

I have a '74 CJ5 and I'm thinking it might be easier to swap to a 305/350 SB chevy. Currently have a 304 AMC V8 but it is is need of major overhaul. It has the 3spd manual. I'm just finding it hard to purchase parts on a budget for this AMC block. I've heard the motor mounts and tranny will bolt right up. How true is this? Also considering a 4/5spd manual for better mileage on longer trips. If anyone has any insight on this task or info or tech sites and manuals it would be appreciated.

 

Mountain Offroad (MORE) offers their "Bomb-Proof" motormounts that work great (you'll want pt # JM200), although pricey. I used them on my engine swap and love them, made installation very straightforward. With the right bellhousing you can choose the trans that you like, only catch is mating it up to the transfer case you want to use. If your going to do a swap, I definately recomend fuel injection, it's worth the effort. Remember that with a SBC the engine will have to be mounted a few inches further forward to give clearance fot the distributor/HEI,,either that or notch out your firewall. I htink you will also want to steer clear of long-snout watter pumps , etc due to radiator clearance. There are so many variations og the SBC out there that your chioces are plentiful.

Shop around in the junkyards, you might get lucky and find a suitable engine/trans/TC combo in a donor vehicle. As with all things CJ-5,,, overall length of the drivetrain is a limiting factor.

Advance Adaptors and Novak offer a lot of parts and info on various swaps.
http://www.advanceadapters.com/
http://www.novak-adapt.com/
http://mountainoffroad.com/Catalog/BombProof MM/CJmounts.html
these are good starting points.

 

I have a 350 4-bolt in my '65 now. But if i had it all to do over again, I'd probably go with a 4.3 V6 with TBI. I ran out of room in a hurry between keeping the distributor out of the firewall and keeping the waterpump out of the radiator. I got it all in there, but just barely.

I've heard the Ford 302 is a bit of an easier swap for a V8 because of the front distributor, but then youre back to a pricier engine buildup then the 'ol SB Chevy.

My 2 pennies worth: If i were just needing a fresh engine, I'd rebuild the 304. Probably cheaper in the long run than getting nickeled and dimed to death on a conversion...all the little things add up. If I wanted to change the transmission, I'd probably take the plunge and put in the engine i really wanted at the same time. Guess thats how i ended up with a Chevy engine, a Ford transmission and a Jeep transfercase in mine!R)

Good luck with it! Gman

 

There's always putting an AMC 360 in place of the 304.

There is quite a bit of recent talk about it here:
http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61789

 

Yep, my "simple" ford 5.0 EFI sawp wound up costing me almost 5K,, and the engine was FREE to start with. Always budget in little as well as expensive things (on mine the fuel injectors were shot from sitting so long) in any swap project.

The newer Chevy 4.3's withg fuel injection are pretty good power plants, especially for trail running, and is a good alternative to a SBC. If you want to keep an AMC motor, find a donor Cherokee or Wagoneer that has a 360 (preferably running) to transplant.

In the end, just follow your best guess and desires for your project and go for it without looking back or regrets,,,heck, I once saw a mid-90's Wrangler (YJ) with a Viper V-10 swapped into it. When it comes to swaps,,,anything is possible with the only limits being your bank account and determination.

 

Rebuild the engine...I can just about guarantee it will be cheaper. At worst your looking at 1500-2000 to rebuild. Engine swap..at the least you'll need motor mounts, an engine, engine to trans adapter bellhousing, clutch, new radiator, hoses. And thats just the big stuff not counting, are you getting another used engine? engine come with all acc. like the alt and starter? Your budget engine swap I can almost guarantee will hit the 4-5k mark unless you already have most of the parts laying around.

 

I put a Chevy 4.3 V6 TBI in mine backed up by a 700R4 auto tranny. Pleanty of power, good gas mileage and hardly any weight above the front axle. No regrets what so ever.

 

a '74 has 3 more inches than a '65. It is an easy swap if you keep it carbed. Fuel injection will add alot. The nice thing about going SBC, they are cheap, and the parts are everywhere. That being said, I agree with putting in a amc 360, or even better, a 401 just for the simplicity of it.

 

I have always found switching makes (amc to chevy) is always a bad move. lot more expensive than people think. Plus it's just pure wrong..

 

It's not true - it's totally false.

There's a lot that's very appealing about the SBC - parts, price, factory fuel injection, modern design. However, there's nothing about the SBC that makes it an easy swap in place of the AMC engine. You'll need to adapt the bellhousing http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_1415.htm and fab new motor mounts. Plus you'll have to change all the plumbing and linkages. Fords are easier, but also not a drop-in.

Doubtful you'll get any better mileage if you swap in an overdrive transmission. Most four-speeds have the same 1:1 final drive ratio as your 3-speed. 5-speeds usually have an overdrive for the top gear, but the most desirable ones are very long (too long) for the Jeep chassis. Your rear driveshaft will be very short at best.

Lots of good swap info on the Novak site.

What axle ratio do you have now? What's your current mileage?