Build Thread 78' CJ7 Restore Complete

[flyingdiver41]

Here are pictures of my 78 CJ7 before and after the start of the rebuild. I purchased the from a gentlemen who had already started the total rebuild a couple years ago. He had taken it down to the frame, straightened it, patched it, and then began rebuilding it up. Pretty much all original except the hardware that was put back into it. Every nut, bolt & washer R&R'd.

It still has the original AMC 232 i6 inline 6, as well as the T-150 3peed. My plan is to put a V-8 in it next year. As it sit's right now, it struggles to get to 65mph. Haven't decided yet what V-8 to put into it (open to suggestions).

Anyway, the paint and body portion took 5 weeks to complete. There was a lot more corrosion in the body than I or my body guy anticipated. As well as tons of bondo. You can see in the pictures we cut and welded new metal in where the old was rotted out. All in all I've very please with the outcome.

 

[IOPort51]

A AMC 232 i6 in a 78? I thought they quit using those in 75. Update the ignition and put a 2bbl carb on it.

 

[davey25]

Ya probably a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ..go amc or ford sb

 

[flyingdiver41]

Here are pictures of my 78 CJ7 before and after the start of the rebuild. I purchased the from a gentlemen who had already started the total rebuild a couple years ago. He had taken it down to the frame, straightened it, patched it, and then began rebuilding it up. Pretty much all original except the hardware that was put back into it. Every nut, bolt & washer R&R'd.

It still has the original AMC 232 i6 inline 6, as well as the T-150 3peed. My plan is to put a V-8 in it next year. As it sit's right now, it struggles to get to 65mph. Haven't decided yet what V-8 to put into it (open to suggestions).

Anyway, the paint and body portion took 5 weeks to complete. There was a lot more corrosion in the body than I or my body guy anticipated. As well as tons of bondo. You can see in the pictures we cut and welded new metal in where the old was rotted out. All in all I've very please with the outcome.

Here are the "After" photo's of my 78. The original post wouldn't let me add the additional photo's. As far as the AMC 232 i6 vs. AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , I was told that it was a AMC 232 i6 when I purchased it. Is there a way to tell the two apart?

 

[IOPort51]

The build code on the side of the block pass side between plugs at top of the block.

 

[flyingdiver41]

The build code on the side of the block pass side between plugs at top of the block.

My engine code is=901E16. So what does that mean it is?

 

[Petescj]

From what I gather your engine is from 1976. Manufactured on January 13th. And its a AMC 232 i6 .

1st Digit - Year
6- 1973
7- 1974
8- 1975
9- 1976
1- 1977
2- 1978
3- 1979
4- 1980

2nd & 3rd Digit - Month

4th Digit - Type
A I-6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 8.0:1 Compression Ratio
C I-6 AMC 232 i6 8.0:1 Compression Ratio
E I-6 AMC 232 i6 8.0:1 Compression Ratio
M I-6 AMC 232 i6 8.0:1 Compression Ratio (VAM/Built in Mexico)

5th & 6th Digit - Day of Month

 

[davey25]

Jeeps sweet..a nice 351 in there would top it off lol

 

[mtnwhlr]

I came out very very nice, good job you should be proud

 

[flyingdiver41]

Thanks everybody. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Yes a 351 would be nice to put in it. I was also thinking about putting a mustang 5.0 liter in it. I like the idea of fuel injection. Probably most important to me though is what would bolt up to the drivetrain that I have in it now. I really don't want to swap out tranny's, axles, Transfer Case ,etc. Would a 5.0 or 351 bolt into the T-150 and Dana 20 Transfer Case ?

 

[davey25]

Should really put a 4spd..keep the Transfer Case ..get a T-176 or T-18 ..then as far as I know the 302 351 will bolt right up

 

[IOPort51]

My engine code is=901E16. So what does that mean it is?

It means it is not the original engine.

How does the AMC 232 i6 run?? I am guessing you have a 1 bbl carb? You can spend a lot of time and money on a V8 you don't need or you can do a few mods to the AMC 232 i6 . I think you can do a 4.0 head, two bbl carb and team rush with an MSD 6 or HID. You will be able to cruise at 70 with no problems and have the power you need. This game is about gears not high RPM horses.

If I was going to do a V8 it would be a 360 or even 401 AMC.

 

[Renegade]

Wow That was some nice Body Work! It looks Great!