1985 cj7 w/4 cyl. swap out

[dano12771]

I just purchased a 1985 cj7 w/ a 4cyl motor and would like to swap it out for a straight 6 or a amc 304. My question is can I use all the existing components. Such as the trans etc. Ive tried to find tech. info. on the web but have been unsuccessful. Since this is my first task w/ this jeep my project is in hold until I find this information. The jeep also has a hydraulic clutch as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[54cj3b]

yes you could may need to get adapters from novak or advanced but yes it can be done
but would recomend 4.3 tbi/sm420/with your tranfercase if your doing a swap like Im working on

 

[carnuck]

The only motors that will bolt to that trans will have the same bell pattern as the 2.8 Chev V6 (Northstar caddy is one) But the trans won't last long.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

yes you could may need to get adapters from novak or advanced but yes it can be done
but would recomend 4.3 tbi/sm420/with your tranfercase if your doing a swap like Im working on

Why would you go all Chevy? Yes the Iron Duke 4 Cy was a Chevy motor but all the AMC I6 drive train components from the 1980 to 1986 years (the years with Dana 300s from the factory) are readily available in the bone yard or Craig’s List. Motor mounts will be the only thing that will need to be relocated but that is easy enough, most everything else will be a direct bolt in and most important...NO ADAPTORS. If you want to upgrade to the AMC V8 it is still all the same stuff.

In my opinion, a CJ looses value when non-jeep (read non OEM in something Jeep) motors are installed. I know you guys with the Chevy & Ford motors think they are the best thing to ever happen to your jeep and if it works for you that’s great; to each there own but keeping your jeep, jeep is best.

 

[JeepsterCJ5]

Why would you go all Chevy? Yes the Iron Duke 4 Cy was a Chevy motor but all the AMC I6 drive train components from the 1980 to 1986 years (the years with Dana 300s from the factory) are readily available in the bone yard or Craig’s List. Motor mounts will be the only thing that will need to be relocated but that is easy enough, most everything else will be a direct bolt in and most important...NO ADAPTORS. If you want to upgrade to the AMC V8 it is still all the same stuff.

In my opinion, a CJ looses value when non-jeep (read non OEM in something Jeep) motors are installed. I know you guys with the Chevy & Ford motors think they are the best thing to ever happen to your jeep and if it works for you that’s great; to each there own but keeping your jeep, jeep is best.

I completely agree I"m tired of hearing how much better my CJ5 would be with a SBC or SBF I see no problems in pumping up OEM equipment and letting it prove itself!

 

[jps4jeep]

oh.. you had two threads

 

[HiHood]

Why would you go all Chevy? Yes the Iron Duke 4 Cy was a Chevy motor but all the AMC I6 drive train components from the 1980 to 1986 years (the years with Dana 300s from the factory) are readily available in the bone yard or Craig’s List. Motor mounts will be the only thing that will need to be relocated but that is easy enough, most everything else will be a direct bolt in and most important...NO ADAPTORS. If you want to upgrade to the AMC V8 it is still all the same stuff.

In my opinion, a CJ looses value when non-jeep (read non OEM in something Jeep) motors are installed. I know you guys with the Chevy & Ford motors think they are the best thing to ever happen to your jeep and if it works for you that’s great; to each there own but keeping your jeep, jeep is best.

This is all well and true BUT, if more power is desired and you build a Jeep for a specific purpose (yourself) then a GM will bolt right up to the Iron Duke belhousing AND keep in mind too that at least the STOCK Pontiac Iron Duke motor that came in MY 80 CJ5 was coupled to a FORD transmission BONE STOCK out of the box. If you TRULY want to MAINTAIN the integrity of your Jeep, rebuild the STOCK Iron Duke, nothing wrong with them at all, BUT if you want the cheapest way to more power, GM V6 is the way to go.

 

[Collin the Hen]

I completely agree I"m tired of hearing how much better my CJ5 would be with a SBC or SBF I see no problems in pumping up OEM equipment and letting it prove itself!

Agreed.

Almost every "built" CJ I've seen has a 350 or some other illegitimate engine.

 

[dano12771]

sorry about the 2 threads. new here

 

[dano12771]

so where do I find this 4.3/sm420? is the scrap yard a good place to start? What might I expect to pay for it? Sorry about all the questions but, Im new to this and Im just trying to get as much info. as possible. Ive never dealt w/EFI or this much electrical. This a great site and I hope to be able to return the favor sometime. thanks again.

 

[54cj3b]

as for a 4.3 eng you can find them in early to late modle S 10s ,luminas ect
as for sm420 or sm465 early 70s chevy full size trucks
even on craigs list you can find good deals

 

[Collin the Hen]

so where do I find this 4.3/sm420? is the scrap yard a good place to start? What might I expect to pay for it?

4.3's are in some S10's, 99% of Chevy Astros and GMC Safaries, and other GM trucks. Just wikipedia the engine.

From what I've read, the sm420 might be hard to find. If you find an old GM hay truck, wrecker, or something big with a four speed it will probably be a 465.

Also, you should do some research on Novak-Adapt, wikipedia, or the standard Google. You can't just buy a 4.3 and an sm420 and piece it together with some random transfer case. Make sure you know that everything will fit together 100%.