Engine Help/recommendations

so I was able to get my Dauntless V6 running a lot better after rebuilding carb, getting the timing right, cleaning it all up, fiixing the fuel delivery, and some other small things. Now that it's running good, I heard some real bad knock. so I bought some Connecting rod Bearings and dropped the oil pan. I started at the back,worked my way forward. Crank shaft looked good, wear wasn't terrible on the bearings until I got to Cylinder 1. found the knocking cylinder. the crank is worn down. almost as much as a bearing is thick and there is lots and lots of play.

How can I get this fixed? Easiest would be new crank, but can't find one that is in any better shape than mine. I can replace the engine (I wouldn't, don't have the space, tools, or time) with a 231 or a 350. I'm looking for options. I can get a 350 here at a pick and pull easy and cheap. I can rebuild it and all that, just not do the installing in the jeepster. I don't have a welder or any way to fabricate what I would need. 231 would be harder to get and probably more expensive, so I'd only go that route if installation would be cheaper in the long run.

Has anyone done the swaps to a chevy or buick 350? I'm not entirely sure which transmission I have, it is a three speed. should I also replace that or can it handle the larger engine?

I have a 1970 Jeepster Commando. If it helps, the transfer case is the u shaped pattern, D20 I think.

 

The crank may still be saveable. You would have to pull it to grind it and would probably be a complete rebuild by the time you were finished. Your transmission if original is a T-14 which is a direct bolt up to most GM pattern bellhousings. Easiest swap ever. You need to pull your engine either way so pull it and have a machine shop check if it is saveable.

 

Even with the work needed to fix your existing engine, I believe the cheapest route will be to fix what you have. There's nothing inherently wrong with the 225, and it's quite a conventional design other than being an odd-fire. Any competent machine shop can handle the work for you. You'd need to pull the engine, strip it down and take it to the shop. If you found a good used Buick 231, it will bolt in to replace the existing 225. Either an odd-fire 231 ('75-77) or an even-fire 231 ('77-82) would work, but you'd need to rebalance the flywheel for the even-fire. Not difficult. A Chevy would be easier to find, but would involve a lot more work in adapting the mounts and such.

You can check at your local Napa or Autozone for exchange of your bad engine for a remanufactured engine. It all depends on whether they have a suitable core to exchange for your engine. For the more common engines, it would be difficult to rebuild for the price of one of these factory-built remans.

The 300, 340 and 350 Buick V8s are another possibility. They will bolt up and drop on the 225 mounts, but you'd have to modify the core support to move the radiator forward.

Also, IMO the T-14 is marginal for the 225 and not strong enough for a V8. If you have the TH400 automatic, this is a great swap for the Jeepster.

 

The crank can be repaired...places like ShafTech can build up and regrind the journal. One of my old schoolteachers had to have several crank journals welded up and reground on his early '60's aluminum Buick 215 V8 (which engine is also the grandfather of the oddfire 225).

ShafTech : Crankshaft Modification/Repair