Rebuilding 225 in a 66cj5

hello, nice forum,
I purchased a 66 cj with the 225 over a year ago, it is a fiberglass tub and i replaced the threespeed with a T-18.
It started running hot so i had the radiator cleaned, it wasnt clogged, and the water pump is fresh, a mechanic sez that the heads of the V-6 are weak and it is probably the the cracked head pressurizing the radiator. I'm on a limited budget....and need to get it going, its my primary transportation. Midway engine rebiulders, HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED, told me that it would run $2400. to rebuild.
What are your suggestions?
thanks
TOM

 

Hi Tom, welcome to the fun forum here.

I'll redo your heads/engine for $2400 any day of the week!!

Just funning a bit as that's a rediculous price that's prolly more than what the Jeep cost you in the first place. The 225 heads and engine are very strong when working properly. It's possible that perhaps one or both of the head gaskets need changed. If so, no big deal! It's really not that big of a process/cost to have the heads machined. (worse case scenario).

Perhaps it's something less involved, like a faulty thermostat or clogged/crudded radiator or something. Got any pics? Oh, and where might you be from?
-Alan

 

Welcome. 1st Off, check the temp WITH A KNOWN GOOD GAUGE. could have a bad gauge/sending unit.
2nd, check the timing.
3rd, Spark plug gap could be tooo much.
4th, how much coolant/water ratio do you have?
5th, how big is the rad, what is it made of and how many cores does it have?
6th, Where are you located?

 

I agree, $2400 is excessive to rebuild this engine, the parts to rebuild it are less than $600 no matter where you go, Autozone makes a good kit for $356. A good rebuild should not cost more than about $1200-$1400 tops.
Alan is right these heads are not weak and are not prone to cracking, this guy is filling you with crap!
You can check the thermostat and maybe pressure flush the block to clean anything in the block out. Timing could be an issue as well as it running to lean. I would also suspect the temp gauge unless the motor has physically overheated.