Transplanting a 2.5L into a CJ

Oct 04, 2006 6 Replies

OK, I know most folks are going to think I'm totally insane but here goes: I want to replace the 304 V8 in my 1979 CJ5 with a 1995 2.5L 4 cylinder. I actually have some good reasons for this: 1) Fuel injection 2) I'm getting a complete "good running" 2.5L for basically nothing 3) I'm NOT a rock crawler/hardcore off roader 4) Passing the occasional gas station would be nice and last but certainly not least



5) I don't have, and won't have for a while, the $$$ to rebuild my tired, leaky, smelly 304. Now, with that said, I've convinced myself that this is actually an upgrade for my jeep since I will be able to drive it while I rebuild the 304 and save up for later mods. The goal I have for my jeep right now is to be reliable transportation to "putt" around town in with the top and doors off. I'll build it into a hardcore off road machine "someday" The reason for my post is this: My jeep is titled as a 1979 CJ5 as I said before. Somewhere down the line, long before I got it, it has had a T176 transmission and Dana 300 transfer case swapped into it. I don't even know if the engine is original, but it was available in 1979. Since "Frankenjeep" has no originality, I don't feel bad about doing what I please with it to make it usable/dependable. Question 1: Will the 2.5L 4 banger bolt directly to my T176 tranny or do I need an adapter? If so, where do I get it? Question 2: Could motor mounts from a 1995 jeep with a 2.5L be welded/bolted onto my CJ's frame? Question 3: Is this really worth doing? Thanks in advance for your advice.

This isn't a bad idea in principle, but the 2.5 has a unique bell housing, designed to fit the Aisin-Warner transmission it came with. Advance Adapters

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has some adapters to fit this engine.There isn't an extensive selection. The axle ratio of your CJ is probablynot appropriate for use with this engine. It might cost as much money tofit that 2.5 in your Jeep, as it would cost to get the 304 running properly. Earle

On top of that, the fuel injection doesn't have to cost a fortune either. Of course it depends on how much of a DIYer you are.

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Chris

i just put a 304 in place of a 2.5. i had to bore new holes for the bellhousing to fit the 4 speed. also the shaft size is diff. the v8 had a 1

1/16 ten spl>OK, I know most folks are going to think I'm totally insane but here

Not sure of the years but you probably had the GM four cylinder, which is a completely different engine and transmission than the 1995.

Earle

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