4.0 to T18

Since the 360 buy and build isn't going to happen I was thinking about future engine options. Will a 4.0 bolt up directly to a T18??? I was thinking that if someday I can find a complete 4.0 with fuel injection and harness, I could dump my crank and rods in there and have a stroker.

Any thoughts on this??? I know the other option is putting a 4.0 head on my 258, but my block can't live forever, can it??? It's got 115,000 on it now.

On a side note, I checked mileage two tanks ago and got 11mpg on like 115 miles or so. This tank has 150 something on it now. Must have had bad gas that time because I haven't driven it anywhere other than my usual routes. I'm going to fill'er up tonight and check the damage.

Thanks

High5

 

Just throwin' that out there for discussion Sparky

So what's the better overall engine?

258 freshened, 4.0 head, carburated

4.0 258 crank and rods and fuel injected

I'd lean towards the 4.0, but not sure if my wrenchin' skills are up for that kind of surgery.

High5

 

The 4.0L is a larger bore and shorter stroke than the 258, so the peak of the torque curve is at a higher RPM. The pre-81 258 has a heavier crank, which increases the rotating mass and makes it harder to spin up, but harder to stall. You can combine the two to make a stroker, with ca 4.6 or 4.7L displacement.

The block-bell pattern is the same; the 4.0L block has no provision for a mechanical fuel pump. To use the 4.0L MPI, you need some kind of CPS - the 4.0L CPS is in the bell, and you must use the AMC-Ford bell (T-176, T-150 etc) to mate to a Ford (or Jeep) T-18. There are kits to place the CPS on the crank, or you can machine the bell to accomodate the stock CPS.

Many combinations are possible - 4.0L head on a 258 with a carb, or TBI, or MPI; stroker 4.6L with any of the above, etc.

 

For ease of install, I will probably go the 4.0 head swap and possibly fuel injection at some point. I know there are 4.0 heads out there on ebay and such.

Thanks guys for the discussion

High5

 

Oh - since you have the close ratio T-18 (I presume) you have the T-15 bellhousing and a plate adapter, plus a unique (to Jeep CJ) input shaft. Ignore what I wrote about the T-150 bell.

The 4.0L head and GM TBI would be a good combination - that's what I plan to do with my truck eventually. The Mopar MPI (ala the XJ) would be a lot more work, but still doable with junkyard parts.

 

Yup. My 4.6R) bolted right up to my stock bellhousing and T18. I just needed to use a 4.0 flywheel and have the bellhousing machined for the cps mount.

Kevo

 

To bring this thread back to life, how does one machine the bellhousing for the CPS mount??? Would any machine shop know how to do this???
Still debating options. I would still need to have a CPS in order to run a 4.0 head and fuel injection setup correct??? Does anyone know who makes the CPS setup for the front of the engine????


Thanks
High5