Opinions please, engine swap (long)

eselk · 2006-05-08T20:53:04+00:00

1948 CJ2A, drive-train is mostly original. 134 L-head engine, T-19trans, Dana 18 xfer, Dana 25 front/rear (or whatever the original,weakest, kind were). I had the engine rebuilt about 2 years ago. I'mhaving the trans and xfer case rebuilt now (I rebuilt them 2 years ago,with the engine, but did an awful job). I spent a ton of money on newsprings and shocks, 11" brakes, brake master cyl, tie-rods, steeringgear box and shaft, so would like to keep them.In about two years (or next major problem) I'm going to upgrade thedrive-train, but want to start getting parts now. Mostly I want to beable to go 60 on the highway, but also it is getting harder to findparts. I also need a bit more power, because my jeep doesn't do wellgoing up the mountains, with 4 people, and a small trailer packed withcamping gear.I wish I could keep the T-19 trans and the Dana 18 xfer, especiallysince I'm having them rebuilt right now (by a guy who really knows whathe is doing). However, I don't think they'll hold up well, especiallyin the hills, where I want to go (I live at 2,000, and need to get upto 9,000 feet to get away from the heat on the weekends).Here is the combination I'm thinking about, after research on thisnewsgroup and other places. The main thing I'm worried about is all ofthe electronics required. I've got an elec. ignition on my L-head, butthat was cheap enough to buy a spare if I'm ever wondering if it goesbad (instead of having to take it to someone who can test it).Chevy 4.3L V6 Vortec EngineT400R Auto trans (actually I think the newer 4L60-E is what mostrecommend)Dana 300 xfer case, straight through modelDana 30 rear end, standard (not offset)Dana 30 front3.73 gears in front and rearI was first looking at the older models, with the carbed engine and thenon-electric auto trans. However, I think I'd run into the sameproblems with them, not being able to find parts, and I've heard thatthose were poor designs. Does anyone make a good V6 carbed engine, orhas recently? ...

May 08, 2006 23 Replies

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eselk 20 years ago

Overdrives on that site are about half the price I thought they would be. Nice! However, they are only a 25% difference, and not 30% like I had thought. That would still get me to about what I wanted, but around 2600-2800 RPMs instead of 2200 which I think would be optimal for engine life. On the other hand, if I change from 5.38 gears to

3.73 gears, that is a 31% difference, which sounds better to me.

Haven't priced the new fr> If my axles were in good shape I'd think more about keeping them. I

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