77 cj5 with 232 engine questions

[kcpets]

Hello, i'm new to this forum and could use some advice.
I have a 77 CJ5 with a AMC 232 i6 . I used to own a 65 amc rambler with the same motor infact i have enough parts to build about 4 ramblers left........ anyway when i bought my 77 CJ5 i was excited due to the fact that i had so many spares but my excitment was short lived when i found out that the compresion diffrence meant i would lose 55 horse over the 65 AMC 232 i6 . is there a diffrence in the height of the head that causes such a diffrence ? could a 65 head boost the compresion and give me back 45 horse ? would a 2 barrel intake from a 65 work with no mods and give me back an additional 10 more horse ? anyone got the specs releated to the heads ? thanks everyone

 

[My1stnicejeep]

Do you have a complete older motor?It would probably bolt right up.

I cannot coment on older vs newer heads but a 4.0 head swap with add some power.I would assume it will work for the AMC 232 i6 as the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l is basically the same engine.

 

[CJ]

Hey kcpets and welcome to the site!

According to the AMC Straight-6 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia the deck height was changed in 71.

Also, by this page -->> Technical Documentation (All Categories) The same casting numbers for the heads for the AMC 232 i6 in 70-72 (deck height change year) and 72-74 interchanged - that would lead me to believe that the heads could be swapped. I would definitely run a clay test for interference if I did that though!