What to put in the Tux

Hey Guys, I've been doing some searching and I'm still having a hard time trying to figure out what to put in my gutted 65 Tux! There's a guy at my work that has a 318 that he'll sell for $50.00 (wants it out of his garage). He says it was running when it was pulled. Can this engine drop in without to many mods, and what tranny and transfer case will work best with this engine? Is there a better (easier) engine to drop in? I'm limited on time and budget so I'll take any advice!
Just for giggles, if you had a gutted Tux, what engine, tranny, transfer case would you put in? My main use for this jeep will be joy and trail rides. Sorry for all the newbie questions!
Thanks again,
Bryan

 

:v6: (225 or 4.3L), 4spd, dana 18 w/od.

 

4.3L E.F.I. :v6: , 3 speed (I know it's odd, but I think the shift pattern is cool !!), D18 w/OD.

 

Definately 4.3 with EFI and keep the :v6: badges. I have been dreaming of building a 4.3-nv4500-d300-d44s cj6 these days. Would also be cool to use the nv3550 and some dual cases. R)

Kevo

 

I believe the tux is a cj6,If I am correct a chevy 350 with an turbo 400 automatic would be my weapon of chioce.

 

Plane and simply, the easiest engine to put in is the F134, if more power is what you want the second easiest would be the 225 Dauntless V6 motor and if you want more power after that then the buick 300,340,350 V8's. These are only the simplest due to the fact that F134 and V6 were offered factory and the Buick V8's are a direct bolt in for the V6 motormounts and bellhousing with the only alteration being the grill box. Now anything can be put in this jeep of yours but from a simplicity and cost standpoint these are the easiest and cheapest, followed by the T86, T14 3 speed with the V6 or V8, and the T90 transmission with the 4 cylinder. The dana spicer 18 transfercase is really the only option without changing rear axles.

 

My take on this - if you want to save time and money ...

The cheapest and easiest would be the original drivetrain: F134 4-cylinder, T90 3-speed transmission, Dana 18 transfer case.

IMO the only reason you'd use a F134 (the original 4 cylinder) is if you didn't have the skills or time to convert to another engine. I can list the reasons to avoid the F134, but the main one is it won't propel the Jeep at highway speed for any length of time without self-destructing.

To save time and money, keep the original transmission and transfer case. This pretty much eliminates the Dodge engine, since there's no easy/cheap adapter available.

The two adapters you could consider are for the Pinto 2000/2300 or for GM bellhousings. The Pinto adapter is available from Novak and is fairly inexpensive. The GM bellhousing adapter is available on the used market.

If you want a 4-cylinder, the Pinto 2000/2300 is a popular swap, and can be done cheaply. It has more power than the original F134 and will run at high speed (3000 RPM or higher) all day, which the F134 will not. The adapter is inexpensive.

The GM adapter opens up a whole world of possible engines: Buick/Jeep V6s, Chevy V6s, Any GM small block V8, Pontiac 151 I4 (used in the Fiero and Cavalier), Chevy 153 I4 (used in Novas and postal Jeeps), Mercruiser 181 I4 (marine inboard engine), probably some others that I'm missing.

The I4s and the Buick/Jeep V6 fit the engine compartment the easiest/best. The Chevy V6 is an excellent engine, but the rear-mounted distributor makes the installation a little more difficult.

The next likely candidate for replacement would be the T90 transmission. IMO a swap to a truck 4-speed would be the next step up, but it would involve more expense and difficulty. Changing the transmission provides new choices in engines too, including the Dodge you mentioned. To do this cheaply, you'd need to do some more research, and some minor machining to the parts (mostly drilling new holes).

Bottom line - GM I4 or V6, or Pinto.

Follow the links here http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/engines_general.htm for more information. Lots of good info here... then ask plenty of questions.

 

Big fan of the Buick/Dauntless 350 with SM420 myself, not that I have this combo...Yet :twisted:

 

personally
4.3Lchevy 90* v-6 with EFI or a carb if you dont want to deal with EFI
SM 420 or 465 since it will bolt up to the 4.3L
dana 18 tcase with OD

 

If the body and frame are any good, and if it is a CJ6A it is one of 450 ever made. I know of three that have been scrapped and about 6 others that are left.

I'd replace the engine with the original engine, the F-134. I'd put it back to stock configuration as best as I could.

Then I'd sell it and buy the beater that you want to get around the desert.

You might even find that you like the jeep.

I know that the F-134 gets a lot of criticism, but I've driven many miles with the F-134 and only had one problem --- with a timing gear.

Geared right these things will do highway speed nicely. Geared right, these things will do trails nicely.

 

It's CJ-5A. http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13917

 

Sorry Tim, I don't agree.
I don't know how these myths get started, but that's just not true!
The engine is a very strong engine and will give very good service life if maintained and cared for. Like most engines from this era, if you don't overheat them and run them out of oil, have no fear.
I ran mine for over 10 years and this included several trips driving the Jeep and towing the Bantam to Colorado and back. With 5.38s and an overdrive, and with 11.00X15 flotation tires, 55-60 mph was no problem; I went everywhere I wanted to; I may not have been the fastest, but I got there. Long steep grades were a challenge, but the OD helps out a lot.
I even had it balanced, and in the dunes at times, it went 4500 rpm on hill climbs no problem; I wouldn't advise those rpms all day long, but come on, give this engine the credit it deserves, it was very tough and very reliable. I wasn't able to blow mine !
Oh, and putting an F4 back in the Jeep would be the easiest and most cost effective.

 

Thanks for all the ideas! It looks like the F134 and 4.3 are the two popular choices! I recently came across a 258L, 5speed and 231 T-case from a 88 YJ (@$600.00). Would this set up work, or would it require major mods to install? I heard that YJ parts are easily swapped into CJs. Is this true for the early ones?
Thanks again, and I'll start searching for your suggestions and see what I can find!
Sorry that I didn't list the stats when I first posted!
1965 CJ-5a Tuxedo Park mark 4. Still has column shifter, not much else!

 

Thanks Sparky, I was begining to think that was the case, but needed someone to verify my noob questions!