So A Nice Sbc Fell Into My Lap? Maybe Mate It To My Ford T18 In My Cj6?

This is all up in the air right now but I have a nice Jegs 383 SBC new in the crate engine fall into my lap. I got it so cheap I am sure I could flip it and make some money but I'm contemplating putting it into my CJ6 Project. I currently have a 304 mated to a ford t18 short input shaft with a t150 bellhousing in the jeep.

I see on Novak's website this is supposed to be a easy swap by just using a Chevy bell housing and some other inexpensive bits plus cheepo speedway conversion engine mounts. Aluminum radiators seem to be cheap enough as well. The goal is to use a Holley sniper setup on the jeep no matter what the engine is. I am going for a nice daily or fair weather driver and occasional trail use.

The 304 will probably find a home in a Gremlin I have on the back burner..



That all being said.. for folks that have done a SBC swap with this trans what specific Chevy bellhousing did you use? What clutch and pressure plate setup did you use to work with the Chevy flywheel? I am using a 76+ cj clutch kit right now if that make any difference.

Like I said..It's all up in the air but danged if it isnt tempting.. If I could make it work without much hassle I am interested in doing it and saving the 304 for another project.


Anyone have any experience with a sbc chevy swap to a t18 like how mine is set up?

 

I can't help with an SBC bellhousing recommendation, but if you want to see the Novak process to put a GM bellhousing on a Ford T18, you can look in my build thread starting here:

• 71 Wheeling Rig

I bought the bearing retainer from Novak since I didn't have any way to turn down my existing one.

I made it a little harder on myself because I didn't like how Novak has you drill a threaded hole into the bellhousing where the is no cast in boss. Instead of doing that, I made a bridge piece to pick up both tabs on the transmission and the orginal bellhousing bolt location. I like it better, but it probably wasn't worth the effort. There are tones of Jeeps running around with no issues the way Novak says to do it.

 

I've built my share of 383s (aka stroked 350) and they usually are approaching big block torque. In my opinion, this is not a good engine for a CJ unless you upgrade EVERYTHING. Your transmission will hold up, but the stock axles won't. That, and you'll need better brakes, etc. I would also recommend boxing the frame too (CJ6 is strapped?) Even a strong 350 is a lot of engine for a small, light CJ.
Flip the 383 for a 327 or a very mild 350. Been there, done that (I had a '72 CJ5 with an AMX 390). The smaller small blocks are very well suited to the small jeeps.
As far as the bellhousing, whats the stick-out of your T18? I have typically used either Muncie M21 or a T-10 behind sbc engines. I have modified Chevy (and AMC) bellhousings by turning a register ring to center a Ford (or other) trans in the Chev bellhousing, then drilled a to fit the Ford pattern. As far as the clutch, use the Chevy pressure plate and whatever disc matches the diameter and the Ford input splines. If you use a Chevy bellhousing and release arm, stick with the Chevy throwout bearing.
The 304 is native in the Gremlin, and it will even be fine with a 360 if you upgrade a few things like Matador brakes and the cooling system. Automatic or T-10?
Back in the day, my older brothers best friend drove home a factory new purple 401 Gremlin X. He waited on order for about a year. It was ordered as "off road only", but when it came in, it came with an MCO for a title.
-Donny

 

i know a guy that could take that sbc off your hands...

 

The frame has been fully boxed in with 1/8"plate from where it stops all the way to the rear bumper plus all rear crossmembers have been replaced with 2x2 square tubing. And the rear bumper is 2x4 1/4" square tubing. Plus the frame had the strip steel along the bottom replaced and re welded. I'd wager to bet the Frame wont even blink at a 383. My Input shaft is the short ford shaft like Novak talks about I just don't know really what year bellhousing they are using to specifically get that exact one. What year housing did you get Fireball?

 

Personally Personally I would use the Chevy to T150 bellhousing from Novak and just redrill or elongate a couple of the holes to make it fit the T18. This should also allow you to keep the existing clutch petal and linkage
JMHO

 

Just do it.

 

My bellhousing is for a late '60's vintage Buick car. Any late 60's/early 70's Chevy manual bellhousing for a car transmission should work. Not sure about Chevy bellhousings for truck transmissions. They may b different.

 

Truck bellhousing would need the index ring. I beleave car bellhousing would need machine work on both the bellhousing bore and the Transmission bearing retainer.

Desert runner is planning a very similar swap.