Engine Swapping a LS into a 1979 CJ-7

[oldcj7guy]

I have a 5.3L LS I'll be swapping into my 1979 CJ7 . The front axle is driver drop, high pinion. So far, I see motor mounts from Advance Adaptors and Novak. I assume I'll need the flexibility to bias the engine a little to the passenger side. Any advice about motor mounts I should look at or haven't heard of yet?

 

[oldcj7guy]

If this isn't the right board for this discussion, please point me to a more appropriate one. thanks!

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I don't think the engine needs to be biased to either side. It should reside dead center. Infact a 79 could still be had with a factory v8.

 

[CJ]

@TSB8C will chime in soon...

As far as I can say @Manic Mechanic is correct, no offset needed.

 

[TSB8C]

Agree with prior posts - should be no need to offset the engine. A '79 could have had a V8 from the factory. There could be one exception however. Depending on your exhaust choice, some headers may interfere with the steering shaft and would necessitate moving the engine slightly to the passenger side. But that is rare and shouldn't be an issue if you plan/choose your exhaust options with that in mind.

I've done an LS swap in a CJ (someone else's) and have a SBC 350 in mine. Didn't need to offset either one. For both swaps, I ran dual exhaust inside the frame rails. My SBC is using Hedman Headers #41863678 (black ones). For my friend's LS swap, we used Flowtech #42511576 headers (He was into the chrome and polished look). A prior '77 CJ5 of mine also had a SBC 350 swap and I used headers out the fender wells. Still no need to offset the engine at all.

 

[CJ]

Agree with prior posts - should be no need to offset the engine. A '79 could have had a V8 from the factory. There could be one exception however. Depending on your exhaust choice, some headers may interfere with the steering shaft and would necessitate moving the engine slightly to the passenger side. But that is rare and shouldn't be an issue if you plan/choose your exhaust options with that in mind.

I've done an LS swap in a CJ (someone else's) and have a SBC 350 in mine. Didn't need to offset either one. For both swaps, I ran dual exhaust inside the frame rails. My SBC is using Hedman Headers #41863678 (black ones). For my friend's LS swap, we used Flowtech #42511576 headers (He was into the chrome and polished look). A prior '77 CJ5 of mine also had a SBC 350 swap and I used headers out the fender wells. Still no need to offset the engine at all.

So much great and good information

 

[oldcj7guy]

I like what I'm hearing; thanks!