swap to V6 or V8?

If ya want to be different... Dodge 3.9 V6, 435, 18/20/300. Clean and simple.

 

Good info.
I was hoping someone with more automatic transmission knowledge than me would clear that up for us.
Thanks.

 

Since you asked, Jeep never used the TH350. Only the TH400. And AMC cars only had the Borg-Warner or Chrysler automatics.

Jeep's TH400s were either the Buick naihead case with a ring adapter, or from about 1974 on, the AMC case. I believe they both have the same tailshaft length, but I'd presume the nailhead setup has a slightly larger OAL due to the ring and converter bushing setup.

 

FWIW, I was just thinking, you could use a short 4wd chevy tail shaft in a BOP TH350. that would be as short as it gets in a TH350......... may not make a difference though as if you are putting a D18 behind it the shaft would have to go ionside the d18 housing far enough for a gear

 

Very true but the "nailhead" case had a shallower bellhousing flange so that area was slightly shorter to compensate slightly. I never did measure the exact depth difference between the two but as a guesstimate I'd say the bellhousing depth should have been within 1/2" or so of each other.

 

Well, I presume the nailhead setup is longer overall because of the difference at the converter end. The AMC case has a thin bushing in the crank end that supports the converter. I recall the nailhead setup has a cast converter support bushing that is removable, and sticks out from the end of the crank. The difference in length would be due to how the converter is supported, not because of the length of the nailhead case. The difference in starter position would be made up in the design of the ring adapter.

I also have not measured this, and I've only observed the pieces together. If I'm right, the difference in length would not be much.

 

I would have to agree with all of your recomendations AKCJ except for the ford 2.3L. Unless its out of a T-Bird or coupe which had the turbo option, they are purdy much HP and torque-less. I beleive they came with 89hp and 112lbs from factory? You would need to through some serious gearing into the jeep if you was making it into a weekend wheeler or anything more then a fire road cruiser. Just my .02. Can I ask why you wouldn't want a manual like a sm420-465? A 4.3-420/465 and your D18 would make for a nice stout little combo.

 

Good information on the 302.
I’ve got another Corvette 327 sitting in my garage. It needs rebuilt, spun rod bearing, but I have everything to assemble another complete engine.
My general plan for it is to rebuild it as I have the time and $$$ then bag it and preserve it for if, more likely when, I blow up the 327 I’m running now.
I must admit though, I’ve had evil, evil thoughts of building it and putting in something just like a Porsche 914.
I had a high school buddy that had one of those and even with the anemic flat four banger they put in them they would move on out. That would be an intense ride with a V-8.

 

Thanks.

It is, it is. http://www.renegadehybrids.com/

I purposely built the engine to have low bottom end torque, and come alive when you twist its tail. Power hits pretty hard at 4000 or so, and 8000 is still pulling strong when it bumps into the limiter.

 

Regarding the Ford 2.3. I've had two of them in the past and it just seems like a simple, sturdy, reliable, inexpensive, overhead cam motor with decent torque. Plus you could go carb or EFI. Plus there is (or at least there used to be) a lot of aftermarket support. Plus, it would be something a bit different. It may be a wacky idea but maybe not.