To buy or not to buy?

There is a 1975 CJ 5 304 V8 for sale in my area for $1650 (asking), Should I consider this purchase for the parts to upgrade my 1961 F Head?
Not only for the motor but for the drive train?
The pictures look pretty good, it does have a top wiper windshield which I think is an earlier windshield. Regardless my top wiper windshield is very rusty.
Any suggestion will be appreciated
John

 

How much does your '61 need?

The V8 will fit in the '61, but the '75 engine compartment is 5" longer than the '61 engine compartment. Also, the wheelbase of the '75 is 3" longer than the '61. Using the '75 components may be more work than you want to take on.

You should be able to get a pretty good '75 for $1650. Maybe it would be better just to trade up to the '75, if your '61 needs a lot of work? Most people wouldn't know the difference between the two.

V8 swaps into early CJ-5s were popular back in the 60s, but today most people would choose a GM V6 engine. The V6s are a lot easier to fit in the early CJ engine compartment. There are lots of Chevy 4.3L V6 donors out there; you should be able to find one for a few hundred bucks, I'd think. Astros, Blazers, S-10s, and C/K pickups.