258 4.2 Variations ?

[Bunky67]

I'm getting ready to purchase a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l (258) to put into my CJ5

and I have came across several different years,


International 258 out of pickups and travelall's

4.2 / 258 out of CJ5, CJ7 , Cherokee's etc. from the early 1970's to middle 1980's

Are these engines all the same and will interchange with one another ??

The reason I ask I looked for an engine for my 77 CJ5 and it came up with a couple, then I looked up another for a 73 CJ5 and it came up with an engine close to me, that didn't come up under my 77 cj5 search ??

Why was this and will it work ?

 

[Saddle Tramp]

While Rambler/American Motor Corporation did make some engines for International over the years I don’t know all of the crossovers, however if searching on Craig’s List try putting in “AMC I6” or “AMC 258” and leave the year out; it might help the number of hits you get. The AMC I6 (both 232 & 258) all have the same bolt patterns and in effect are interchangeable, smog rules notwithstanding.

 

[elwood blues]

I know nothing about the engines that were in the IH's, when the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l was introduced in '71, I think, there were no big changes until '80/'81, with the exception of smog equipment like Saddle Tramp said.

In '89/'81 there were some exterior changes made to the 258, i.e. 2 barrel carb, different intake and exhaust manifold designs, optimal A/C, stuff like that.

 

[Torxhead]

In '81, the block was thinned out a bit, 80 lbs I think it was.

 

[CJ007]

Oil pans can also vary and if you get one out of an Eagle and maybe some others it will not clear properly and you would also need the correct oil pump.