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CJ5 - Pondering Engine Swap, Looking for Advice

Discussion in 'Jeep CJ Builds' started by LSWORTHO, Nov 23, 2018.

  1. Nov 23, 2018 at 9:59 PM
    #1
    LSWORTHO

    #1
    LSWORTHO [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2018
    Member:
    #2733
    Messages:
    3
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    74 CJ5
    Mostly stock
    I have a ‘74 CJ5 with a 232 engine. The Jeep is pretty much stock and runs great. The rings are bad in the first 2 cylinders, it burns a lot of oil and the spark plugs are always fouled. I am pondering my different options and I see 4. I want to keep the project simple, and the cost low.

    1. Rebuild the 232. This would be the cheapest and easiest. The downside is that it is a lot of work and when I’m done, I end up with the same thing I have now, without the blow by.
    2. Replace with a reman 258. This seems like an easy swap. Questions, is this a direct fit upgrade? Bell housing, wiring, intake and exhaust manifolds, etc. I question this because the bigger engine only yields 110hp compared to 100. Not a very big upgrade.
    3. Replace with a salvaged EFI 4.0. I don’t know a lot about this, I enjoy the old school carbuerated engine, but I know the EFI will run a lot better. What are the complications with this upgrade?
    4. Replace with a small block V8. This sounds like more project than I have time or money for right now.
    I’m just looking for some advice from those that have done this. Things that worked, things that didn’t, and things you wish you would have done.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    LSWORTHO, Nov 23, 2018
    #1
  2. Nov 24, 2018 at 6:26 AM
    #2
    aggrex

    #2
    aggrex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Member:
    #203
    Messages:
    4,912
    DE
    Vehicle:
    Backcountry '16
    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Welcome! Not a CJ owner yet but you came to the right place for guidance. Sounds like a great project and I'm leaning towards #2 if everything bolts up otherwise #1 for budget concerns. Post an intro thread on your CJ and some pics while CJ guru members digest their feast.
     
    aggrex, Nov 24, 2018
    #2
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  3. Nov 24, 2018 at 7:11 PM
    #3
    OFFGRID

    #3
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    I believe The 232 shares the same bell Housing as the 258, 304, and 360. In case you didn't know the 304 was a dealer option for the CJ5. A 304 and 360 should bolt right in, and can be found in CJs and Full size Jeep trucks and Wagoneers and Gwagoneers of the 70s and 80s. Still carbureted I should add. Don't let the low hp of the 258 full you. Find one with a 2B carb and add a mild cam and header and you'll make monster torque. The 232 is a good motor and when it was first introduced was considered to be very torquey. You can't go wrong any way you do it. Check out Novak adapters for their online library of info. Also Wikipedia has lots of info on the AMC i6 motors as well as jeep CJs.
     
    OFFGRID, Nov 24, 2018
    #3
    JKBob 25 and aggrex like this.
  4. Nov 24, 2018 at 7:16 PM
    #4
    OFFGRID

    #4
    OFFGRID Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Member:
    #317
    Messages:
    2,018
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Peter
    Houston
    Vehicle:
    1979 Jeep CJ7, 258, TH350, NP208
    Howell fuel injection, header, HEI distributor, TH350, NP208, SOA lift with YJ springs in the front & GW springs in the Rear. AMC20 with G2 1 piece chromos trussed, Dana 30 with G2 chromos and 760x ujoints and MM Stainless Hubs, Geared 4.56. Tom Woods shafts, Metal cloaks, Caged, 37" Toyo MTs.
    OFFGRID, Nov 24, 2018
    #4
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