Ford 300 6cyl

How difficult would it be to install the old Ford 300 in an early CJ?

 

Anything is possible, with enough fabrication. Doesn't mean its a good idea. While I am a *huge* fan of the 300, it's too tall, and too long to fit into an Early, or even Late CJ very easily. Keep looking, just because you have one sitting around doesn't make it a good transplant candidate.

 

I figured it would be too long. Thank you

 

How about a Ford flathead?

 

Weight and performance would be an issue for trail use but one of the guys here has one.

 

And I just happen to have a good running 300 ford just looking for a home.....

 

It's a good engine, but long for an inline 6. And apparently tall from above comments. The early CJ engine compartment is too short for an inline 6, without heroic mods.

Early engines like the flathead V8 are anchor heavy compared to modern engines. 1st gen overhead valve V8s are very heavy too. Casting technology has improved a lot, allowing much lighter block and head castings. Cool for a hot rod, but maybe not worth the extra complication in a Jeep.

The 4.3L Chevy V6 is very popular for a CJ, and there are a lot of donors out there. Any V6 from a RWD car should work, if you can sort out the adapting issues. GM engines are easy in this respect. Modern V8s and inline 4s are ok too, not quite as easy as the V6s. Chevrolets are popular because parts are cheap, and there's lots of aftermarket support. Plenty on this forum on this topic if you search.

 

How about a Buick Dauntless V6? Oh, wait...

 

Obvious but it seems there aren't a lot of donors out there now, compared to the Chevy.

 

I also like the Ford 300, it is a very good engine, but as already said it would be a poor choice for a Jeep conversion due to the length and height. I have seen equally unusual conversions, but it requires major surgery.

Look up the weight of a Jeep 134 and compare that to the weight of a SBC, it is surprising.

The Buick V6 is popular because Jeep used it as the "Dauntless", later model "even fire" versions are plentiful, bell housings, adaptors, and engine stands are available. It just has to be from a RWD car. A lot of us have parts needed for this conversion laying around gathering dust, so you can find stuff by posting in the forum classifieds.

Were I interested in a conversion today I would either go with the GM 4.3L V6, or a GM 153 I4. The V6 is easier to source, the I4 is a nice fit.

 

153s are not plentiful, as I recall. Originally available in the early 60s in the Chevy II compact, and used in some postal Jeeps from around 1970. Popular for midget racers too. This engine also came in a larger marine/industrial version, with 3.0L (181 cid) displacement. You might find one in a boat yard or junked forklift. They were available new from GM within recent history; maybe not now.

Lots of interesting engines out there for swap material that pose way fewer problems than an inline 6 or an ancient boat anchor. Both Dodge and Ford sold many RWD cars with reliable V6s that would almost certainly be way easier to adapt than any inline 6.

 

The 3.8 Essex ford v6 uses the standard Windsor Bellhousing, and came in lots and lots of cars through the eighties and early nineties. The various versions of the Ford "lima" 4-cylinder in 2.0 and 2.3l displacements is pretty much everywhere as well, although it uses a different bellhousing pattern, but the original version is/was a pretty common swap in jeeps.

I would make suggestions on Mopar offerings, but honestly, I just don't know them well enough to say. Having worked on them in their original applications, I can say that there isn't a single Mopar V6 that I'd consider, without somebody doing some serious convincing. But 4-bangers? No clue.

 

i am in the process of a chev 153 swap. originally an OMC 120, its been rebuilt with flat top pistons and a clifford intake. its mated to a Saginaw 3 groove 4 speed and D18. the engine looks almost factory how it sits in the jeep. i can answer any questions about the swap if anyone has some.

 

I like that style

 

The 238 Chrysler V6 was derived from the 318, which has an excellent reputation. No personal experience; might be worth a look if you had a free/almost free donor.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_LA_engine

 

OMC is a marine engine. Huh.

 

Hope it rotates the right way!

 

omc didnt make a reverse rotation 120 so i should be fine

 

Depends how you put them together. F head= 470. My new 441 sbc 3B transplant = 428. With aluminum heads, water pump, and intake, they are essentially the same weight.

 

Yes, the Chevy II four cylinder lived a lot longer in boats than it did in cars.