What to do with my motor???????

Here's the skinny..........
'74 Jeep CJ 5
6 banger 232
45,000 miles, (I got it with 42XXX)
All completely stock, (I'm having a brain fart so I can remember what trans, diff are in it! Jesus it tough to get old)!, except for the fiberglass body,
2" soft ride springs............
This is my 18th jeep "project" since I got addicted to them when I was 14.
I've done all kinds of things to them, Ford 302 powered, Pinto motor powered, Pinto body on a CJ frame with a Chevy small block power, big H.P. 304 powered, but this one is my LAST jeep project and one I'm gonna run and keep, (unusal for me, most items it's- project done...........2 months later it's gone and a new one replaces it).
Back to the problem at hand.............
The motor runs fine, good oil PSI, no smoke no oil use......
No major oil drips,the front and rear seal are starting to seep, most likey harden up from age.
I haven't run a comp test on it, (too busy driving it and working on other things on it, like wipers, heat, a radio, the springs. I figure it works fine, why mess with it).
It does have a lifter rattle when it idles when HOT, but, they pump up after the oil PSI comes up.Sometimes when I take 'er on the highway 2 lifters are leaking down, so that has to be addressed when the winter is over. (this is my main ride til the weather breaks and I can back on my bikes).
The clutch works good, but, when I put my foot on it, I feel the clutch pedal pulse (like a warped rotor on a brake pedal).
So that has to be addressed also.
I'm thinking of pulling the motor, new clutch set up, pulling the head and replacing the lifters, maybe looking at the mains and oil pump, timing chain, re seal.....................
Then I started, (here we go)..............
New cam? a bit "hotter" or maybe trying to get one to get a few more MPG outta it. Header to match the cam, maybe a 2 carb intake system, (I had one on a '72 Chevy truck I did. Man! Those 2 single Holleys looked so cool on that almn intake)!
Heck why not a 258 motor?
304????????? Naaaaa, I don't want the hassle of mounts, exhaust, etc. ZLet's keep this simple!
My son (who is going to school to be a service tech, following in his 'ol man's work boots), wants to do a motor all hopped up and drop it in)
If I pull the head, drop the pan, what the heck, might as well drop in new rings...............
If I'm going that route, might as well do the head................
So, do I do the 232?
Get a 258?
If a 258, what year motor is a good one???
A high output 4.0??
I'm not going crazy. Keep the points, carb set up.
This jeep isn't for off road, just a old guys ride on the road.
Joe
This is how it starts, next thing I know it's outta control!chainsawguy

 

Can't wait to see what you do - I am in the same place except my 232 is pretty much shot - too many trips to the woods and to WalMart - the miles have piled up way too high. I want to rebuild it but for not too much more I could upgrade to something a bit beefier. For sure whatever you do post some pics so we can learn from your experience.

 

4.0L HO. If you must carburate, get a 81-on 2V intake manifold - it will bolt up to the 4.0L head allong with the 4.0L exhaust manifold. Your choice of Motorcraft 21xx or Redline/Weber 32/36 DEGV carbs. No points - use a '78-80 AMC 258 Duraspark distributor with your choice of ignition modules.

If you want a 258, pick any from 1971 through 1980. The '81-on engines are ok, but I would prefer the earlier 'heavy crank/heavy block' engines for a Jeep.

Note if you put a 258 crank, rods and pistons in a 232, you've just made a 258. The 258 swap is dead simple and will net you about a 10-15% increase in HP over the 232. The 258 responds well to hop-ups, if you want to go that route... but the 4.0L HO is an easier place to start from, power-wise. If you already had the 258 in your Jeep, I'd suggest swapping in the 4.0L HO head, but with a 232, you may as well start with a complete 4.0L HO.

 

Tanks!
Once the snow melts off the "older" iron at the junk yards, I'll start my hunt for what they have available.
My son needs to re-do a motor for his senior year at school, so I MAY do the clutch and lifters (heck, the oil pump and seals too) this spring and collect parts for him to do "THE" motor.
Me thinks I'll hunt @ and see what type of cool aftermarket intake I can pick up for it, (as for carbs, Holley 1 bbl is my choice, old school cool).
As for bell housings...................................
4.0 H.O. will it bolt right up to the existing.........
Joe
So many jeeps, so few $$chainsawguy

 

Yes, the bell will bolt up. The 4.0 is the same engine as the 232 and 258, except with a different displacement and a new head. Use the bell and flywheel from your 232.

If you stay with a 1V, there's really no point to change to the 4.0 HO. Just get a 258 and be happy with 150 hp.

 

Rodger!
Now to find a good power plant.
Joe
Jeep is nice, they make it easy! So many parts to swap out, makes my head spin!