Bought 79 CJ7

[aaronscj7]

Hello, this is my first post on this site as I only became a Jeep owner last week. I have a few questions and frankly I don't know what Forum this should go to. Anyway I'll try this one. After searching around this site I found that I have a 79 CJ7 body with a 1973 AMC 232 i6 I6 single barrel carter engine. The tranny was replaced with an automatic postman's Transmission , but I do still have the 3 speed manual in a box as well. I would like to discuss my options for giving it more power. Upgrade to 2 barrel carb? If so what would you suggest? Sine it isn't the original engine should I just replace it with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ? (long term solution) Any other suggestions on getting the most from this Jeep?
Thanks!

 

[gpdno]

Welcome
I have the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l in my 79 CJ7 and love it, it's one of the best engines I've ever had
My jeep has the T-150 3 speed, if I were to swap it out I would go with a T-18 4 speed.

 

[danray48]

I think just about anything you can do with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , you can do with a AMC 232 i6 . Try a Team rush upgrade with ford dist cap new plugs and wires. I have a 258 and love it, but I'm not so sure you'll see a big difference worth doing a swap unless you went to a V8 AMC 304 . I believe the T-18 tranny is harder to get. I haven't done my swap yet, but I have a T-176 4 speed and a Dana 300 that I'm going to. I have a 79 CJ7 also. Welcome to the site. Also you could upgrade the carb.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

A lot has to do with what your plans are for the jeep, daily driver/part time wheeler-hunter, or just for fun in the mud, or what. I am a bit confused though… The jeep is a 78 with a 79 body and a 73 engine? The good news is that the AMC I-6s and V-8s all have the same engine to bell housing bolt pattern so you can pretty much mix and match as you please. You may want to just run whatever life is left out the 232 then decide what to do. The 258 has about 12 more horse power at a lower RPM and a little more torque than the 258 but that’s it and it is hard to beat the I-6 for low end grunt. If more power is desired any of the AMC V-8s (304, 360, 401) are an easy swap too.

 

[somedude922]

^ x2. Run the AMC 232 i6 for awhile. Save up and do a 360 swap!! I am biased to the 360 though. Good advice on here for you. Tune up. Team rush upgrade. Etc.