60 CJ5 215 aluminum V8 swap

would need a mustang radiator to go from the 134 to a v.
needs the turbo-fire, and a 300ci crank... should ye rebuild

 

Thanks but I already have 2 working starters and a good set of manifolds. I ordered the Novak adaptor for the SM420 to the transfer case - they sure don't give them away - costs more than I have in the engine and tranny combined. I had a good conversation with a guy at D&D fabricating in MI today. They specialize in 215's. He can hook me up with a with a custom clutch/diaphram pressure plate for reasonable and recommended a cam for better low end performance. Also recommended changing the oil pump to a high volume one, new front seal and harmonic balancer. I don't think my radiator is a 3 core - others have recommended a 65-66 mustang radiator. Ill have to check on that - I think the 215 needs the inlet and outlet both on the same side

 

Yea - would be nice - No plans to rebuild at this point unless I have to. There is a whole lot of options if a guy had deep pockets and wanted to go nuts. Those turbo's are pretty rare.

 

Got the SM420 rebuild kit and adaptor to transfer case from Novak Friday - Never rebuilt a tranny - and tips or pitfalls to avoid? New fuel pump for the 215 on the way. Working on a getting a set of dauntless v6 frame mounts - Think (fingers crossed) they will work with the 215. Am I likely to run into issues with clearence for the Ross steering box?

 

Isn't the Ross box for the V-6 models different from the one for the L and F-head fours?

 

It's been over 40 years since I put a 198 in a MB.
The frame mounts were the same as the 225.
The rubber mounts, I just don't remember...

 

The other issue I had with the 198 was that the bottom plate of the oil pump, the piece that the oil filter screws on, is angled down at too great of an angle so it would hit the front diff at full compression.
The 215 might set far enough foreward so this isn't a problem.
The solution on the 198 was to use the plate that came on the 225 IIRC.

 

I got started on the SM420 today and already ran into my first issue. The output shaft on the tranny is the "Rare" 35 spline version and the adaptor is for the normal 10 spline version - they don't make a 35 spline adaptor. To add insult to injury the 35 spline shaft also has a different spline (22) for the first gear so I can't just swap mainshafts. After consulting with Novak , Dave called back and said he had found an a even rarer 10 spline shaft with the first gear splines the same as the 35 spline shaft on a shelf back in the shop. He gave me a good deal on it and it's on the way so I'm keeping my fingers crossed it goes togther right. If not I'll be on the hunt for a main shaft and 1st gear or another SM 420.
I got the new fuel pump for the 215 today and got it running on the stand briefly. Need to get the radiator hooked up and some green juice in it and water temp/oil pressure gauges (ordered) hooked up to run it long enough to see how it really runs. I was happy it fired off and ran after sitting 30 years in storage.
I ordered a set of dauntless frame mounts (take offs) from another guy on the forum - they look like they will fit with the 215 rubber mounts if the length is right.
Started looking at some measurements. The 215 is 29.5" from the front of the fan to the bell housing and the F134 is about 25" so the radiator will need to move forward at least 4-5 inches. Is the dauntless grill/shroud narrower so the radiator sits further forward? If so, how much?

 

I don't think the grille tunnel is any shorter for the V6 - it's just that the V6 is very short from the mounts forward. The distance from the mounts to the bell of the 300-340-350 is the same as the V6, and all the extra length is in front of the mounts. You can use a '72 or later grille, which will move the radiator up next to the grille. Or you can cut your existing grille. I believe those are the options.

 

With what Tim said you will have to remove/modify/move your front cross member as well.

 

I don't think so. Is the front cross member different for the F134 compared to the 225? It was my understanding that the 300-340-350 Buicks drop in the the 225 V6 Jeeps, and only the radiator needs to be moved forward. I''m sure this is true for the Jeepster, and I thought it was true for the CJ as well.

 

you have me there Tim, I'm not sure. don't have any experience with the v6. I assumed the frames were the same.......see you can learn new stuff on here everyday!!! I thought his JEEP had the 134 in it.

 

Frames are the same except for ancillaries, i.e. engine mounts, battery mount, in some cases brake m/c mount, etc. front crossmember are the same.


Sent from my iPhone

 

I got the Dauntless frame motor mounts today - they are too wide for the 215 mounts that bolt to the block. Can someone tell me the bolt spacing where the dauntless mounts bolt to the block so I can see if they will bolt on the 215 before I order some?
Thanks

 

4 1/4'' center to center

 

Thanks Dan - that's the same so it looks like I'll order a set of Dauntless mounts.
I got the Radiator Jerry rigged to work and the oil/water temp gauges hooked up and ran the 215 on the stand for about 1/2 hour today. Ran real good - almost 50 lbs oil pressure (30 ish at idle) and no overheating.
The SM420 main shaft arrived friday from Novak and looks like it will do the trick - that's a relief. Time to save my pennies for a Mustang radiator and a clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing.

 

Fresh rebuild kit in the SM420 finished today and the Novak adaptor installed. That thing is a horse compared to the T90.




I got the new Dauntless motor mounts. There is an interference issue with a plugged port in the block waterjacket on the 215 above and towards the rear of drivers side mount. Looking at it, I'm thinking I can just find a flush allen head plug to replace the square head plug and drill a clearence hole about 1/2" deep in the back of the Dauntless mount and straddle it. I'm going to think on it a little more before I start hacking on a new mount. Here's a picture with the little 215 mount still bolted up - the Dauntless mounts stick up quite a bit further above the mounting bolts - about 1/2" above the freeze plugs.