232 cj5 engine swap ???

[Daniel1381]

I have a CJ5 1976 AMC 232 i6 standard.. I am thinking of upg to a v8 are there any crate engines that are a match fit? Also will I need a new tranny?

 

[xena1]

Did a 360 AMC swap in my 3 spd AMC 232 i6 78 CJ7 . Used the bomb-proof motor mounts and with the exception of re-routing fuel line, fairly simple. AMC V8's have same bolt pattern on bellhousing as 6 cylinders.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

The AMC V8 is the easiest swap you can get. The passenger side motor mount needs to be relocated but if carful the original mount can be reused; the bell housing, clutch, and everything else remains the same. AMC 360s are easy to come by at the bone yards and many rebuilders have them on the shelf ready to ship. The only other caveat to remember is that the AMC engines are externally balanced so if the flywheel doesn’t come with the boneyard motor be sure to pick up the right one. Flywheels are not interchangeable between engine sizes.