How good is the 225 Dauntless???

I recently acquired a ’66 CJ5 with a 225 Dauntless. I was going to resell it, then another early CJ5 owner convinced me to keep it. Now the question is what should I do with it? Is the 225 Dauntless worth keep or should I replace it. The engine, transmission, and transfer seam to all be in good shape. I would like everyone’s opinion.

Thanks,

 

I would keep the 225 dauntless, its the perfect CJ Jeep motor. Is there something wrong with the way it runs for you to ask if you should keep it?

 

I like this thread:

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8502&highlight=dauntless+replacement

 

Everybody told me to keep the Dauntless instead of swapping in a small block. I am keeping the old 225 'cuz everyone that knows more than me says so.

 

Everything seams to run fine. I just don't much about the Dauntless engine. Is there a good location for any need parts for the Dauntless?
Thanks again

 

They're junk. May i suggest you bring it to my house for proper disposal?R) As far as i'm concerned, they are the best engine ever in a JEEP. That mill will chug along at very low RPM and keep pulling your JEEP along with it. Get the carb set up right and you're in. Good power, good mpg and different from the rest of the world, but in a good way. Oh and a support network, i.e. ECJ5.com, that's outta this world. I must admit though, I am anxious to try a 4.3 fi motor someday.

 

This was a great thread, thanks Mike.

 

wheelie, If you weren't on the other end of the country I might take you up on that...R) I guess I'll keep it.

 

I'm closer R) R) R)

 

Depending on where you are, I might be closer.
Ok back to the subject, yes keep it. I'm not a GM fan at all, but I've come to really like the Oddfire and the the way it sounds.

 

Try Autozone. I got my Master re-build kit there for 350 bucks!

 

I am suprised at the torque that they put out!! So far I'm with my:v6:

 

In South Carolina there is a law against junking an Odd Fire. You are compelled to find it a loving home.

 

i love my oddfire 225.the sound is great. best of all it's matched perfectly to the cj5. torque,hp, etc. i can put it into 4wd lowrange 1st gear and it will climb at idle at about 1.5 mph.

rugged. the carb settings give me a little prob. once in a while. reliable engine. i remember when they started putting them in the cj's (i'm dating myself here ) simple to work on also.

i have gotten parts from NAPA with no problem. just make sure you spec the ODDFIRE 225. many parts are interchangible with the buck 231 v6 as well from the monza, skylark, etc.

in the 70's people used to drop a chevy short block into the cj2a. i always felt that the 327 was over powered. i mean the whole cj only weighed about 2400 lbs.

 

What would you replace it with? A V8?
What do you expect from 225 cid?

By all standards, a Jeep is a light vehicle, and a 225 in proper tune will easily propel it at illegal, even dangerous speeds. The engine is well-suited to that chassis.

I think you may not have the proper perspective wrt this question.

 

Dan, that comes up a lot, but I think it's wrong. Generally you cannot compare pre and post 1971 engine power stats because the measuring methods changed. The mfrs started using net hp instead of gross.

The '71 304 is rated 210 HP and the '72 at 150 - no difference in the engines. The Dauntless is rated 160HP. 210 vs 160, or about 30% HP difference. This is within a few percent of the displacement difference.

 

but tim, as you stated earlier, doesn't it really come down to the most appropriate engine matched to a particular chasis/use? all the horses in the world wont help when you need torque, control and reliability. true you can put lots of horses under a cj hood and drive 70 90 or 100mph (good luck and take a couple of st christopher's medals with you!!!) but the short, light and high cj was never meant for that. in which case that person either needs to find another auto to drive or is lookng to make a show/parade car not an ORV, true?

 

x2. Put me on your list. Will pay cash.

I think the only thing that would be better than a Dauntless in a JEEP is a Dauntless with FI. I would really like to try GM 4.3 TBI someday, though. Definitely not a small block.

 

Uh, mm, sure! Are we agreeing? I think we're agreeing.