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Jeep CJ7 Engine Rebuild/Crate Motor Swap
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:25 am
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:25 am
I've got an 1986 Jeep CJ7 w/ 258ci 6cyl w/ T5 trans that's ready for some TLC. I've done the motorcraft carb swap a few years back, but it's pretty stock outside of that.
The engine is weak, running rough and I'm leaning to replacing it. I could give it a tune up, but I get a lot of blow by, it needs a clutch, and a rear main seal (possibly more, she likes to mark her territory) so pulling/replacing the motor seams like a decent choice.
1- What are the pros and cons of rebuilding or going with a crate motor?
2- Any opinions on crate motors? Any companies to stay away from?
3- Anyone thrown aftermarket fuel injection on a crate/rebuild? How hard was that?
4- Any good info resources out there?
5- What am I overlooking?
Thanks.
The engine is weak, running rough and I'm leaning to replacing it. I could give it a tune up, but I get a lot of blow by, it needs a clutch, and a rear main seal (possibly more, she likes to mark her territory) so pulling/replacing the motor seams like a decent choice.
1- What are the pros and cons of rebuilding or going with a crate motor?
2- Any opinions on crate motors? Any companies to stay away from?
3- Anyone thrown aftermarket fuel injection on a crate/rebuild? How hard was that?
4- Any good info resources out there?
5- What am I overlooking?
Thanks.
7
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:42 am to slacker130
I’d stay with an I6 engine no matter what.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:45 am to Gaston
quote:i say that too because i love the way it sounds.
I’d stay with an I6 engine no matter what.
BUT if you were to swap i would go with a crate diesel. One project i will do in my life is put a crate diesel into a old TJ/JK.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:53 am to Gaston
quote:
I’d stay with an I6 engine no matter what.
Why do you say this? just curious
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:56 am to slacker130
Pretty sure I saw this same post on one of the FB CJ pages this morning.
I can't help you. I just want you to know you're being watched.
I'd ask an engine shop what it would cost to rebuild the 258 vs. swapping in a Jasper (or one of the other places) engine.
I've thought about those FI kits with every jeep I've owned, but never gone through with it. It seems like a pretty big job for someone like me who would have to fumble his way through it. But, I might bite the bullet and do it some day.
I can't help you. I just want you to know you're being watched.
I'd ask an engine shop what it would cost to rebuild the 258 vs. swapping in a Jasper (or one of the other places) engine.
I've thought about those FI kits with every jeep I've owned, but never gone through with it. It seems like a pretty big job for someone like me who would have to fumble his way through it. But, I might bite the bullet and do it some day.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 9:57 am to slacker130
just put a take out LS in it from a truck
Posted on 3/12/19 at 10:18 am to NYCAuburn
There is a way to build a stroker engine by using the crank from another inline 6. I bet a crate engine shop could build you one. Ends up with something like 300 HP. Do that and install EFI, especially if you want to off road it. 
Posted on 3/12/19 at 10:25 am to Gaston
quote:
I’d stay with an I6 engine no matter what.
Sorry, should have said that in the OP. I'm staying with the I6. This is a pretty stock Jeep, I'm keeping it that way.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 10:28 am to Teague
quote:
Pretty sure I saw this same post on one of the FB CJ pages this morning.
That'd be weird since I'm not on FB.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 10:35 am to slacker130
quote:
I'm staying with the I6. This is a pretty stock Jeep,
Whats a crate 258 cost $2500+
Are you trying to keep it stock for a collectible, like everything is going to be NOS or original stuff? if not, keeping the original engine type doesnt do anything for value
Posted on 3/12/19 at 10:59 am to slacker130
quote:
That'd be weird since I'm not on FB.
You serious? Well, someone in your exact situation with the same questions is on FB.
*edit*
Here's the post from the CJ group on FB. You guys should be friends.
quote:
At what point do you buy a new engine vs rebuilding the one you have? Does a mechanic or the person start out with intentions to rebuild, and then realize that isn’t an option? I’ve got a 258 with blow by issues. Other than a few leaks here and there, which I’m assuming we all have issues with, I don’t have real issues with my engine. I’d like to buy a Holley EFI system, but now wondering if I should save the money on the engine and fix this blow by.
This post was edited on 3/12/19 at 11:10 am
Posted on 3/12/19 at 11:03 am to tiddlesmcdiddles
Low end torque, always good when mated to a manual.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 11:04 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
if not, keeping the original engine type doesnt do anything for value
Yeah, BUT doing a SBC swap is going to mean replacing a lot of stuff, including that T4 ticking time bomb transmission. It's an '86, so it might have a D44 rear, but it probably has the AMC 20 which would at least need to be upgraded to one-piece axles. Then there's motor mounts, new radiator, all the wiring, new driveshafts etc. etc.
I had one CJ7 with a SBC, it was pretty cool, I guess. But, when I began looking for my latest jeep, I specifically wanted the 6 cylinder. For my needs, I just think it's better.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 11:13 am to Teague
quote:
Yeah, BUT doing a SBC swap is going to mean replacing a lot of stuff, including that T4 ticking time bomb transmission. It's an '86, so it might have a D44 rear, but it probably has the AMC 20 which would at least need to be upgraded to one-piece axles. Then there's motor mounts, new radiator, all the wiring, new driveshafts etc. etc.
You can do LS swaps for under $5k with trans
Personally I wouldnt consider a SBC, LS's has made them scrap iron for the most part
I'd just rather have the reliability and the power of a modern engine. You can carb and LS if you dont want to get into FI. Those crate motors are stupid pricey. They make swap kits, that take most of the headaches out of it.
This post was edited on 3/12/19 at 11:15 am
Posted on 3/12/19 at 11:13 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
keeping the original engine type doesnt do anything for value
Not everything is original (front bumper), but I do think keeping the an I6 in a fairly stock CJ does more for value than throwing an LS in it. At least in my brain. If I was building a trail rig, I'd definitely look at an LS.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 11:19 am to Teague
quote:
Here's the post from the CJ group on FB. You guys should be friends.
Holy crap, that's pretty damn close.
ETA- it does have AMC 20 rear, they're on the list to be upgraded. Along with a new radiator, shocks & some bushings, maybe some steering components.
This post was edited on 3/12/19 at 11:24 am
Posted on 3/12/19 at 11:28 am to NYCAuburn
quote:
You can do LS swaps for under $5k with trans
Personally I wouldnt consider a SBC, LS's has made them scrap iron for the most part
I'd just rather have the reliability and the power of a modern engine. You can carb and LS if you dont want to get into FI. Those crate motors are stupid pricey. They make swap kits, that take most of the headaches out of it.
Well, obviously you know more than I do about it, considering I thought LS's were considered part of the SBC group. A fuel injected, modern engine is great, but I still think there's a ton of stuff that would have to be upgraded to make it work. You could probably rebuild the 258 fives times for the cost.
Posted on 3/12/19 at 2:02 pm to slacker130
quote:
3- Anyone thrown aftermarket fuel injection on a crate/rebuild? How hard was that?
I put the Holley Sniper EFI system on my 304. It may seem like a daunting task but if you take you're time it isn't bad
Posted on 3/12/19 at 2:20 pm to Teague
quote:
I thought LS's were considered part of the SBC group
SBC are pretty much the 305s, 350, 454, etc... like they had in the past
quote:
A fuel injected, modern engine is great, but I still think there's a ton of stuff that would have to be upgraded to make it work.
its honestly not that much and they make kits. you can also easily convert a LS to carb. Motor Mounts, wiring harness, Headers, Radiator, and tcase adapter is all you need outside the engine.
quote:
You could probably rebuild the 258 fives times for the cost.
I was comparing to the crate motors op was suggesting. I saw they were starting at $2700 for a basic long block and quickly go up
This post was edited on 3/12/19 at 2:22 pm
Posted on 3/12/19 at 2:52 pm to OnePercent
quote:
I put the Holley Sniper EFI system on my 304. It may seem like a daunting task but if you take you're time it isn't bad
It says "Expert Level," which I'm definitely not. But I know a couple of guys that might help for some beer. Just seeing the wiring harness makes me want to drink.
quote:
I was comparing to the crate motors op was suggesting. I saw they were starting at $2700 for a basic long block and quickly go up
Yep, I was looking at $2700-2900 for a long block, EFI is another $1500, by the time I'm finished and turn key, I'm hoping to be under $5k.
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