keep the ford or go chevy

I bought a 56 cj5 and plan on swapping my running gear from my flatty under it. Centered 44/30, T-18/20. My question is that it currently has a small block Ford with fender well headers in it. should I keep it? Having to get an adaptor, flywheel, clutch, and the such. Or find a small block Chevy to replace the ford. I already have the adaptor to a Chevy because my flatty has an iron duke in it. Which would be more cost effective?

 

Depends on how much work to adapt the tranny to the engine. There are lots of variations in T-18's but I think you said it came from an Iron Duke 4 cylinder which would imply it would bolt up to a Chev V-6 or V-8. If this is the case I'd vote 4.3 Chev v-6 unless you already had the v-8. More room, lighter weight, ready parts availability, good weight distribution, etc.
If the T-18 you have will bolt right up to the Frod V-8 the. That would be the path of least resistance.


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To me, that's a no-brainer. I remain a steadfast V8 proponent, especially long stroke sbc's. Perfect Jeep engines and more or less cheap depending on how carried away one wants get. Best-ft lb/$ there is.

 

The Ford is in it but not.sure of.its condition. If I went Chevy i'd have to install it and run exhaust and cooling. Ford or Chevy, it'll have way more power over the iron duke

 

Keep the Ford. it is in there, if it is hurt get a new one. While not as plentiful as the sbc there are still plenty out there.

 

I vote for the Ford, well, because #1 I'm a Ford Guy. But if it's already in there, it doesn't really cost any more to put together a SBF than it does an SBC anymore. Engine kits and whatnot are pretty much on par everywhere I've looked.

Of course, if you want to make some torque, the 347 Stroker kits are pretty darn reasonable......

 

It does smoke a little but I hope it's still a strong runner. I need to fix the peddles, they make the fire wall flex, do to the hack job someone did.

 

No need to hack a hole in the firewall for the dist. if you keep the Ford.

 

I know that but someone didn't, it sits low and back.