1984 Cj-7 258 rebuild/replace

Mjlee1985

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2011
Location
Raleigh
First post... Need advice. Acquired the jeep from a family friend with a blown 258 that they said might have been rebuild before they bought it. Pulled the motor out last weekend and now trying to figure out what's next. I'm on a very limited budget. Do I buy a reman long block from autozone($1300-1400)? Have the old motor rebuild($1500-1600)? Or keep searching for a good 258 on here or craigslist?...( I've now bought 3 motors on cl and all have been boat anchors once broken down..) all suggestions welcome. Seems like a good community of resources. I'm in Raleigh if that helps for shop recommendations.
 
Might depend on the definition of Blown! Did it blow a head gasket, or throw a rod through the block. Makes a difference, as to repair what you have, or scrape it. As for getting another motor, I'd ask HERE, & see what turns up. And it's best to hear & see, a used engine run, if possible. Going for the all out rebuild, I'd be checking some local re-builders. There usually less expensive, than the Crate motors, & probably better. Some guys have also replaced the 258, with a 4.0!
 
yes sorry, should have classified "blown". When i got it home the first night motor would turn but not start. It had a very erratic speed to the spin which led me to think it was a timing issue. Oil was clean as was coolant. Couple days later i spoke with the mechanic that has worked on the jeep for the past year or so and was told has had very loose bottom end for a while and felt must have a serious valve train issue as of late which led to not firing...that pretty much the info i collected and determined rebuild/replace. i have talked to a couple machine shops who all give me a quote for $1400 or more for short block rebuild. I'm looking more for a long block build as I've never rebuilt a motor and want to through money away by messing something up. thats where I'm stuck on, bite the bullet and pay(probably safe to say as long as i find a good machine shop, this is the more reliable option), wait for one here, or autozone reman for $1300 or so valve cover to oil pan. In my mind i just want to spend as little as possible to get it back on the road til i decide on which direction i want to take this jeep. Thanks for you input rodney
 
I just checked Poteat's Engine rebuilding, out of Kannapolis, NC. Most of his basic engines, run 800 - 900$. That's either rebuild your Good Core, or Good core trade in. Closest I could find on Jeep, is the 4.0, at $900. But I feel sure he'd do a 258. May be too far for your travels, but that's the type of pricing I was talking about. I don't know the Raleigh area.
How bout it Raleigh Guys, What's your recommendation! :driver:
 
I see where a 4.0 was just sold on here, probably went for 300-350. There's also a 73 CJ, complete, with small block chevy installed, & running, for $1500, or part out. Just some thoughts. Be patient, the Right deal will turn up!
 
I agree. The right deal will arise. I called around today and got about the same responses. These 258's are being rebuilt anywhere from $1000 ( which is the place you recommend Rodney) to $3000. I am not a mechanic nor do I know all the engine lingo that these guys are throwing my way. There's a guy in Cary ( outlet engines) that seems to know about the 258's and is priced pretty reasonable($1275) but not as comprehensive as some of the other builders. Then there's bill speed shop that told me under 2k and you drop complete nasty long block and get get a nice clean unit ready to roll. Both a pretty big investment with little knowledge to go by to make a educated decision..As for the listings you said Rodney, I'm worse with wiring then I am with motors so i would be hesitate to try either swap. Plus my wife has declared this jeep as her weekend play toy, as this one is the first to be automatic, and I'm sure all that crazy linkage that is attached to the 727(which I need to find a diagram of how to adjust) would just be a pain to try and adapt to anything other then what's in there now. Thanks for you help, it's very much appreciated!
 
Another option is to keep the 258 and put a 4.0 head on it for a little more power. If I recall correctly, the only difference is that you will have to plug a few waterjackets in the head. I bought a head that already had the waterjackets welded up/decked/valve job off of ebay cheaper than I could have paid a local shop to do it.
 
i have decided to keep the motor that came out of it and have it fully rebuilt. After a ton of research i decided to let bills speed shop do the build. i actually ran by there today to check out his set up, seems to really know his stuff. He is actually building a 4.0 now, which that made me feel a little better about the situation. i talked to him last week about maybe doing the 4.0 head swap and he wasn't to sure what the hell i was talking about...sunday evening i get a voicemail from him saying i had got him thinking(he had searched through his paperwork, which if you have ever been to his shop IS ALOT) and found a shop manual explaining the process in detail. i have also done some digging and seems like if we went that route i might have to fab a couple bracket and hope even fits (auto 727 trans) which I'm not sure I'm up to at this time. He will fully go through the head and bottom end and after the install i might get one of those kits off ebay with the motor craft carb. I'm not looking for a ton of power, just something reliable enough for the wife to around town without me worrying to much. does anyone have a good write up on adjusting the linkage for the 258/727 trans?
 
If you go the 4.0 head route I have an hei and ultra coil setup that goes great with it.
 
Cheapest way to go by far is to have engine rebuilt. Good plan. I am not sure of the "seat of the pants" gain with 4.0 head. On paper it is supposed to be better. Instead of the motorcraft upgrade, have you checked out Howell EFI?
 
Id love efi but for right now i want it back on the road. Down the road ill have to decide on what route to go...efi,304,360,401,350 fi,350 carb...who knows! i go through 3rd cars very quickly, but this one is a little different in that a very good family friend passed it on to me for free. With that said it most likely be keep in the family for a long time. Might have to get a fully frame off resto-mod, something i think my dad has wanted to accomplish for a long time!
ord.sgt.26NC said:
ahhhhhh .....Bill Houser....
Click to expand...
I stopped there on lunch break thinking 10-15 minutes and ill be on my way...45 minutes later i was on my way. Seems like a character to say the least!
 
he did the machine work on my latest/greatest flathead. Went to pick up the engine one week night when he got finnished.I do my own assembly.Anywho,it's not like it's right around the corner from me.He is an hour out...one way.By the time I could get out,I learned all about the jewish experience from 79ad to the present day with a tangent on why the Germans disliked them soooo much after ww1.The next day was a long one.
The only complaint I have is after hearing how great a crank man his son was, my crank came back to me very nasty.Ground,yes and it checked good but the crud where I found it showed me it was rushed thru.He'll do ya a good job and he knows his stuff esp. on ford engines.
 
I've got a complete 258 from an 83" model was totally rebuilt by a jeep specialist less than 10k miles ago...it's complete , carb wiring harness everything $500 will buy it if you just want to drop one in. I drove the jeep before parting it out, it ran flawlessly.
 
Are you running factory axles? If so you wont be able to connect the front driveshaft to a 727 tranny. The valve body is extra wide on the passenger side and wont clear to the t case.. You will need to run a 999 if you want to stay with a direct bolt in auto tranny.
 
If I replace or rebuild the 258 I will have to switch trans? Or if I go to a v8? I'm guessing it's switch to a v8, which in that case I might switch to a standard. Or trade the 727 (14 bolt pan) for a 999. That would be something after I get it on the road and I can collect parts til I have everything I need, then start replacing everything!
 
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