Jeep CJ <350 conversion>

FozzieCJ7

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Joined
Jul 3, 2006
Location
Reidsville
I have an 84 Jeep CJ7. It has a 2.5L with a T4 trans. Basically its stock. I want to put my 350 in and was wondering if anyone has done this..or has any experience in such a conversion that may have some useful tips. I know I need to get a new bell housing, but what else will I need? Also what are the the plus and negatives to having a 350 in a jeep. The engine is coming out of a 74 GMC sierra. I think the only real problem I might run into is the wiring (ignition and stuff) so any thoughts and opinions welcome..Thanks

Facio
 
FozzieCJ7 said:
I have an 84 Jeep CJ7. It has a 2.5L with a T4 trans. Basically its stock. I want to put my 350 in and was wondering if anyone has done this..or has any experience in such a conversion that may have some useful tips. I know I need to get a new bell housing, but what else will I need? Also what are the the plus and negatives to having a 350 in a jeep. The engine is coming out of a 74 GMC sierra. I think the only real problem I might run into is the wiring (ignition and stuff) so any thoughts and opinions welcome..Thanks

Facio
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ok do this 350 SM420 and a Dana300 this wiring is easy
 
You will need a different radiator, and motor mounts . The wiring isn't that bad from what I have been told. Forget the T-4, it won't hold up even to a mild 350. Go ahead and put in a 465 or 420 and reap the benefits of the lower gears. The D-300 would be a nice addition too. Good luck, keep us posted
 
i would think also that the added weight of the 350 would push the front end down. just a thought.

Zack
 
YJJPWrangler87 said:
i would think also that the added weight of the 350 would push the front end down. just a thought.
Zack
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but they came with 304's and 360's so its the same thing maybe run some Waggy axles
Also the sm420 might be harder to get parts for but is has a 7.4:1 granny. The sm465 is a tank and also weighs like a tank. I rand a 350 TPI and a sm465/np205 in my 64 j200 and loved it but your jeep is alot shorter. you could also run a th400/d300 and there is a lower gear availible for the 1st gear.
 
I did a 350 in my YJ and it's not big deal. I've always considered it better to swap in all Chevy instead of spending the cash on expensive adaptors so i swapped in motor, trans and t-case. Mounts, radiator, shifters, d-shafts etc but it's no big deal. Mine also was originally a 2.5 4 cyl and the extra weight did drop the front a bit but as far as I can tell there is no such thing as a 4 cyl ad a 6 cyl spring from Jeep. they all used the same suspension regardless and the SBC is actually a bit lighter weight than the in-line 6 Jeep motor. Wiring is simple, you've Jeep starter and alternator wiring is already there and wroks as is. The only other thing you've got is a hot wire to the ignition and your done. You can use the same oone that went to the Jeep ignition. It's all already there.
 
I run a tbi 350/700R/D300 and LOOOOVE it. excellent combo in a CJ-7, good crawl plus an overdrive. street / trail rig. carb'd 350 swaps are easy, see last post.
 
Not a 350, but we did a 307 SBC swap in our '81 CJ-7. Problem is, we're still running the SR-4 :)( ) that was behind the Iron Duke 4 cyl. that was previously in it. But, you know how that money thing is...
 
As said its an easy swap.
I ran 350(383)/th400/205
short D shaft, kept extra ujoints
dont waste money on "conversion" motor mounts IME, if you have a ccess to a welder.

You will want to slide the motor back as far as possible without dizzy hitting firewall, to allow radiator/fan/shroud/H2OPump clearance.

Initially mine rode like shizzit(even for a CJ) because I went fom I6 to 350. I added a "helper" in each leaf and it cured the nose dive. Only problem I had was shafts and joints.

BTW dont go over board on motor mods, they are not needed with a lightweight jeep...Trust me

Wheelies are cool, but not when uphilling...
 
Yeah, you don't need to do much building on that engine. I had a 350/TH350/D300 combo in my CJ-7. It was sprung over with 2 " lift springs and full size axles with 36" Swampers. My engine was lightly built to about 320HP and close to 400 ft. lbs. torque and it was PLENTY. The power did allow me to gear to 4.10 so it was still very streetable. It made it nice, in the rocks you could just idle around and in the mud you could really GET AWN IT! Do it, it's fun!:driver:
 
How did your wiring start and end and how need some advice have no clue what to ask if you have any info plz make it very detailed so i can get my sbc swap done. I am terrible at wiring anything!
 
Bcoble said:
How did your wiring start and end and how need some advice have no clue what to ask if you have any info plz make it very detailed so i can get my sbc swap done. I am terrible at wiring anything!
Click to expand...

If you want an answer, you need to provide more info.
What SBC you running?
Carb? propane? Throttle body, or DP fuel injection?

Some are much more simple than others. If you are, as you say, terrible at wiring anything, then I think you need to have someone do it for you, or you'll end up with a mess.
 
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