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Subject: I6 to 304V8 engine swap?

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Bone Stock
Posts:0

09/12/2004 9:30 PM
Does anyone know if you can swap out a Jeep I-6 in a CJ for a 304 and leave in the same motor mounts and radiator? Thanks.

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Rock Star
Posts:2375

09/12/2004 9:34 PM
Yoda, The answer is yes and no... the motor mounts do in fact need to be changed because the I-6 is longer, and uses different mounts. However, the radiator can be reused with new hoses. This is a common engine swap for many Jeep owners that are searching for a few more ponies and some more torque. There are a number of good, reputable companies that specialize in engine-swap kits that cna help. A few that come to mind are Stage West 4-Wheel Drive Center, http://www.stagewest4x4.com (Ask for Joel and tell him that Rick from 4X4REVIEW.COM sent you) and Mountain Off Road Enterprises, http://www.mountainoffroad.com/ (Ask for Alan or Travis and tell him that Rick from 4X4REVIEW.COM sent you). Good luck! ΖD] RW

Rick Webster Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '74 FJ40 Land Cruiser "Measure once, cut twice"

Bone Stock
Posts:20

12/01/2004 12:43 PM
What Year is your Jeep? If you are looking for more ponies or torque you might consider the 4.0L straight six or a 360 or 401. There is not a big difference between the straight six and 304. I Dont not think it is worth the time and money. Travis no longer works at MORE.

Joel Snider Stage West 4-Wheel Drive Center 6700 Hwy 82 - Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 - PH: (970) 945-5227 http://www.stagewest4x4.com 4by4@crimsonwireless.com

Bone Stock
Posts:4

01/09/2005 11:39 PM
I second that, the 304 is not a very good choice. I had an I-6, 258 in my 78 CJ originally. The sway was easy. You do have to change the motor mounts and also one of the original brackets that bolt on to the frame. I don't remember which one you can use. You can go as far as drilling new holes on the bracket, but it is best to get the donor bracket from the original jeep you are pulling the 304 from. The 304 did not last very long in my jeep. It really does not have that much power than the six, but alittle torgue. I went ahead and exchanged for a small block chevy (350 strocker). With the help from Advanced Adapters, I also installed a turbo 350 auto. Now this jeep has torgue and lots of ponies. Automatic is the way to go, it made a big difference swaping out the 304 for the small block. Good luck with your choice. kitoscj

Bone Stock
Posts:4

01/09/2005 11:46 PM
Forgot, also go F.I. Carb 304 is not a good choice. I tried every carb in the market, Edel, Holley(Truck Avenger) etc.. Waste of money. I installed a Edel Pro Flow M.P.F.I. System in the strocker. It takes time and patience to figure out how the system works, but it is well worth the money. kitoscj

Bone Stock
Posts:28

01/10/2005 3:29 PM
i think you mad both the right and wrong choice. it really depends on how much power you need or if you just want to be able to say " i got a v8 in my jeep" the main thing you got goin for you is that the i6 will share the same bolt patern as most amc v8s. i peronally would look for an old amc 360 the have a better combaniation of both torque and power. AS FOR THE MOUNTS have fun guy i just cut the mounts off my yj to upgrade from a 4 to a 6 and dang near took my finger with them. be carefull also if you do cut your mounts dont short cut the opperation, TAKE THE FENDERS OFF. it will make life alot easier.

SCOTTB

Lift & Lockers
Posts:943

05/16/2005 4:11 PM
quote: Originally posted by webby4x4 Yoda, The answer is yes and no... the motor mounts do in fact need to be changed because the I-6 is longer, and uses different mounts. However, the radiator can be reused with new hoses. This is a common engine swap for many Jeep owners that are searching for a few more ponies and some more torque. I would not reuse the radiator because you will need extra cooling capacity so I would upgrade it too. The 304 through 401 share the same block so any of them will fit. Do not rule out rebuilding and warming up the six either as the 258 can make some impressive power with a better cam and intake and carb and maybe some better gears too as the 304 will give better top end power in stock 6 vs stock V8 but it will not affer any better low RPM torque than the 258 will.

-------------------------- Visit the SnoMan at www.thesnoman.com

Lift & Lockers
Posts:943

05/16/2005 4:15 PM
quote: Originally posted by kitoscj Forgot, also go F.I. Carb 304 is not a good choice. I tried every carb in the market, Edel, Holley(Truck Avenger) etc.. Waste of money. I installed a Edel Pro Flow M.P.F.I. System in the strocker. It takes time and patience to figure out how the system works, but it is well worth the money. kitoscj I have a 79 J20 with a 360 in it and the carb has been 100% reliable and I have owned it for nearly 20 years now and it is VERY crisp off of idle even today. I still like carbs on old trucks and the biggest mistake that some make with them is that they do not set them up correctly or install too large of one for application because with carbs better is not always better.

-------------------------- Visit the SnoMan at www.thesnoman.com

Forum Admin, Magazine Editor

Rock Star
Posts:2375

05/16/2005 7:50 PM
Carbs can be setup to run pretty well off road, but floats in the float bowl will always plague carbs when it comes to off-camber runs. Even so called 'off road' carbs.

Rick Webster Editor, 4X4REVIEW.COM - A Tork Media, Inc. Publication - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '74 FJ40 Land Cruiser "Measure once, cut twice"

Lift & Lockers
Posts:943

05/16/2005 11:26 PM
quote: Originally posted by webby4x4 Carbs can be setup to run pretty well off road, but floats in the float bowl will always plague carbs when it comes to off-camber runs. Even so called 'off road' carbs. This is true but I always had very good luck with the old Quadrajets many years ago (more than I care to count) because their centrally located bowl was pretty tolerant to various axis of tilting. Carbs (like some Holleys) with float chambers on front (and back) generally could suck badly off road.

-------------------------- Visit the SnoMan at www.thesnoman.com

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