360 v-8 engine swap in a cj7

[jasonvess]

Hey,

I am looking at a 1980 4x4 j10 with a 360 v-8 in it, the body is shot and was considering transplanting the motor into my CJ7, which has a 258 straight six and a 4 speed trans/dana 300 transfer case.

Has anyone out there done this? I am wondering what all i would have to do or change. I was kind of hoping the motor would just drop right in?

I am assuming i will have to change motor mounts, how about transmisson, radiator(i have a new heavy duty 4 core in it now), clutch

 

[Snitty]

I have a friend who just put a ford 390 in his CJ5... ANYTHING can be done... you just have to have the time and mind

 

[redrooster]

Ummm....yep. I have one in the garage. Well kind of. I went from a 304 to 360.
Your radiator should be all good. The transmission will be fine if it is a T-176. You may have to change the pilot bushing in the end of the crank. Spend the $80 and get the good polyurethane motor mounts, but I don't know if the brakets will work, you may be able to get those fromthe J10 as well. Your CJ probably already has the holes for the V8 motor mounts.
It's pretty simple. Take the fenders and grill off and the process will be much quicker.

 

[ROade]

under water

I just did a 258 to 304 swap in my 82 cj7
just changed motor mounts and modified the wiring harness.
Simple swap,they use the same bellhousing,flywheel,starter,etc..
I did have to trim the inner fenders to clear the fender well exit headers.
What transmission is in the j10 ?
your cj ?

 

[Junkpile]

If the J10 has an automatic transmission you'll have to get a flywheel to fit the 360 so it can be used with your 4speed. Manual transmission/360 V8 combos weren't common from the factory, and those flywheels were pretty expensive the last time I checked.
If you set that 360 on the shop floor beside your Jeep it will almost install itself.
I've heard of a couple of people running into problems, but it's a pretty straight forward swap. You've already got the most expensive part of this swap taken care of....the bigger radiator.

 

[jasonvess]

I think my cj has a t176 but i am not sure, the trans in the j10 has no reverse so i didn't bother to ask if it was auto or manual.

The j10 has not ran for 2 years, since the transmission went out, and the guy sold the carb off of it, so i can't even hear it run, it is not seized up, and i would plan on rebuilding it anyway, he wants $150 for the whole truck, should i buy it?

I have never had a amc 360, so i am not sure if this swap is a worth it, should i go with my orignal plan of a 350 chevy. Does a 360 cost alot more to rebuild? does it have similar power as a 350 chevy?

any opinions are helpful

 

[ROade]

$150 ??
It would be sitting in my yard allready !!

 

[Junkpile]

The 360 will hang right with a Chevy smallblock until you get to the point where parts availability cripples the AMCs output compared to the Chevy. How much power do you want to make? The Chevy engine will cost less to build, but cost more to install.