258 4.0 Head Swap Results
Rescue Diver
Full Time Jeeper
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- Location
- Kansas City
- Vehicle(s)
- 1979 CJ-7 with a fiberglass body and 1982 wide track axles, 258 I-6 with a 1995 4.0 head, HEI distributor, Motorcraft 2100 Carb, T-18 wide ratio tranny, Super Lift Springs and 33s, a 1997 BMW 328i, and a 2010 REDLINE CONQUEST TEAM Cyclocross Bike. :)
Well mine would be better measured in "start cycles"because I tow it to location then play so have not accumulated many miles, but it runs perfectly although will have to give much credit for that to the MPI system.
As for negatives,the only one that comes to mind is the power steering pump bracket no longer bolts directly up as before but with slight modification your good.
Positives, Mostly covered but one that gets left out to often is the loss of the oil leaking AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l valve cover.![]()
Good point. I have to say the hardest part of the swap for me was having to cut a big chunk of the power steering bracket out so it would clear the "header style" stock 4.0 exhaust manifold. I haven't had any issues with the power steering belt after all of these miles, so it's all good. Of course, those that also swap the serpentine belt and brackets from a 4.0 while doing the head swap won't have this issue. I thought about going to the serpentine single belt, but since I haven't had any problems, I'm just sticking with the two V belts.