Need info on putting a V8 into a 6cyl CJ

[cLAY]

I'm helping a fellow wheeler get his rig back on the road. Its an early 80s CJ with a blown 258. He has a line on a free AMC 360. So what needs to change to get the V8 in?

I know that the bellhousing pattern is the same so we are good there. What about the clutch? I'm guessing that I need a V8 flywheel and clutch assembly. Does the clutch linkage change in any way?

Motor Mounts, I'm guessing the V8 mounts are differnt from the 6cyl. Are they they CJ specific or will FSJ ones work.

I'm not too worried about the electrcal but I'm guessing that the alt and power steering will need some tweaking. Can the CJ 6cycl stuff go into the V8 bracketry?

Rad will the 6cycl rad be big enough?

I seem to remember that some of the V8 CJs had a frame strengthener running under the oil pan. How important is it?

Thanks for any and all info. And know that I have written this does anyone have a cheap yet reliable 6cyl?  :bangbang:

[Bnine]

Definately recommend taking this one over to pirate clay. Those guys will all the answers to that swap.

Is it a CJ5? Thats going to be a real squeeze if it is.

You might get lucky if amc set up their mounts like chev. Chev motor mounts fit small block, big block, and inline 6r's back in the day. I wouldnt be supprised if amc worked out like that, but I dont know.

The clutch linkage would proabably work, but if it was me, I'd look into converting to a hydraulic while you are in there. CJ linkages are famous for popping out under stress all the time.

Spot here has done the hydraulic conversion, and there are a few guys on pirate who have done it as well.

The 80's CJ trannies are the t-176 and something else. Anyways, both are pretty light duty, something he might want to look at. Earlier CJ 3 speeds like t-14 & 15's are a lot tougher and would be more suited to the umph of a small block.

Good luck with the swap, sounds like fun.

[MTSman]

CJ-5 and CJ-7 are the same in the front, it'll fit fine.
You'll need the factory frame mounts for the motor mounts, they bolt in place of the existing 6cyl brackets. The rad will be a bit small, get a 3 or 4 core put into your existing tanks. The flywheels on all AMC engines are different even though they have the same bolt pattern and diameter as all the others. Does the 360 have a manual flywheel or auto flexplate?
I've taken 6 cyl flywheels and had them balanced to the same specs as the V8 flexplates for the motor you're using. 304/360/401 flywheels are getting hard to find and are all balanced differently. The trans and Tcase might need to be relocated to one of the other sets of holes in your crossmember and would also require driveshaft lenghts to be changed.
T176's were available behind 304 V8's, the other models were SR4 (JUNK) the BW T4 and T5 which are both too light for a 360, I'd stay away from ANY Jeep 3 speed as they won't bolt up to your Dana 300 transfer case and they're crap :oops:

By the time you're done you'll wish you put a Chev small block in there instead but either way I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Probably best to call me some day, I can answer all your questions as I've done this more times than I care to remember.

Jeff 256-4039 Calgary