Ok, need thoughts from more "ford guys" then me. I have a 83 Jeep Cherokee, last of the big ones, Grand Wagoner size. I have built a stroked jeep 6 cylinder but actually want a Ford v8. This full size jeep did not come with the AMC 360, it has always had the straight 6, 4.2, I built a 4.7. I have found a 80's 351w, and a 351C, both running. Also found a 400 that has been slightly modified with cam, bored .30 over and Weind intake.

So I know the 351w and 351c share the same bell housing pattern correct? So I can either use my Jeep T176 4 speed manual set up with the ford bell housing or get an adapter for my NV3550 5 speed. If I go for the 400, I would need a totally different tranny/transfercase set up.

Ok, if you had a choice, and I'm not looking to race this thing, it would not be a daily driver, just a few days a week and going off road but not mud racing or rock crawling, which engine would you all go for. Oh I also hear to get a 90's 351w because they are "roller" motors, would that really matter in my case?

thanks

 

351W, later model roller.

Not sure about keeping the 4 speed manual.

Forget the 400 or 351C.

If you have fitment issues, a 302 will fit almost anywhere. Pull a roll of 20s out your pocket and turn it into a 347.

I did 60 seconds of searching and I did find this model listed with the 360. "?"

Good luck with it.

 

351w all day long, it has HUGH aftermarket support to build as much power as you want any way you want or if you just want a good running stock motor you can find complete carbed and EFI vehicles with everything you need to make it work at your favorite junkyard.

 

I read the first post, and before reading the replies, I thought "351W". Roller motors generally offer a bit more bottom-end-torque, which you'll need if you're 4-wheeling. If it'll fit, do a 351W or like Ed said above, a 347 which is a stroked 302. You could even go for a stroked 351W (408ci), depends on your budget.

Can't answer anything else as to the feasibility of the transmission options, but for engine choice, the Windsor family is probably the best way to go, unless you just happened to have a rebuilt engine of another family laying around.

The only other "maybe" is a 460. But I"m really not sure of your transmission choices there.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the input gents. As far as what came in the Cherokee from the factory, although its the Grand Wagoner size, it came with the straight 6.
I have asked this question on a few sites and every says 351W for ease of mods. So, a few more questions.

Found a 351w that a guy used to street race in a 80's mustang, he passed 4 years ago and his wife is just now selling it so it has set for 4 years. She has no idea about the engine but that it is a 351w, I verified that. It has a 4bbl intake, Holly carb, and headers

Also found a 351C in a F250 running but has not moved for a few years, truck has no rear end.

I'm leaning towards the 351w but if its built for racing, would it be built for higher revs, not the lower torque? would be cool its its a stroked 408, but how can I tell?

 

An F-250 wouldn't have a 351C (unless it was swapped in or if you're in Australia). From about '77 - '83 it could have a 351M. From about '84 on it would be a 351W.

And I'd agree, an engine that was built (well) for a Mustang probably wouldn't be what I'd want in a Jeep. Don't know how you can tell what it is unless she has any receipts or you start pulling it apart and measuring things.

 

Humm, Nothing Special, would Cleveland valve covers fit on a 351M?

 

Sorry, I don't know all of the differences between a C and an M. I had always heard that they were pretty similar, but I've also heard that the C shares a bellhousing pattern with the 351W while the M uses the 460 bellhousing. I can't say at all about the valve covers.

 

C and M heads and valve covers are the same, blocks are different
351M - 400 blocks are the same, 351C blocks are different
351M - 400 have their own mounts and use the 429-460 bell housing bolt pattern
351C uses 302-351W mounts and bell housing bolt pattern

I love a good 351C and have installed a few in F-150's, but like others I recommend you go with a 351W, they have a much better parts support and more build options.

That said it wasn't hard to adapt a 351W roller lifter spider into my brothers 351C, a custom ground Erson cam, 4 barrel heads and 750 Holley made a very streetable 375hp, 400lb torq. It'll make a nice cruising engine in his 69 Cougar once we get the C6 freshened up.

 

There are some good FSJ (Full Size Jeep) forums which have builds and discussions of FSJ engine swaps. Novak is a company that offers engine mounts, headers and trans / transfer case adaptors. They have a good write-up of which engines are best to swap as well, basically Chevy small block, Chevy LS engine, and Ford small block (302/351w) are your best bet. Obviously the 304-401 AMC was a factory offering and would be easy, except the I6 and V8 mount perches are not the same. Many big blocks have been done as well, but present varying fitment problems.
I am in the middle of gathering parts to do a 351w swap in my FSJ (J10 pickup). The 351w is a good choice IMO as parts are readily available, and they made carbureted and EFI versions over the long production run they enjoyed.