V8 swap using AMC V8? - Off-Road Forums & Discussion Groups

athlonaj · #1 12-31-2001, 04:34 PM

Ok, this spring I was thinking of rebuilding my 4.0 and possibly building a stroker while I was at but have been looking into cost and either way it's not cheap of course. I've read several places that an AMC V8 will bolt up to the AW4 trans, which makes sense that it would.

Now everytime I mention this people start in with the "you'll break your rear end into pieces..." all that noice. But I'm not talking about a hopped up motor, probably an early 70's 304. It wouldn't be busting my axles or tearing up u-joint anymore than a 4.5 stroker would. If what I'm reading is right I should look for one from a 72-78 Jeep vehicle right?

My main question is will it bolt up to the transmission for sure? And what about the computer controlled aspect of the AW4 trans? What happens with this? Nothing would give me more pleasure than to rip out all that wiring nonsense for a carbed motor, please help!

Chris_MJ · #2 12-31-2001, 05:11 PM

I doubt it. No AMC V8 was ever coupled to the AW-4 from the factory. Why would it make sense to you?

I guess, maybe a modified bell, but I really don't think an inline motor will have the same factory pattern as V motor.

And I agree that you won't be breaking shafts. Actually, if you look at the numbers on those engines, they really don't twist as much as most V8's do.

I don't know about the electrics of your situation. There's usually some form of computer controlling idle stepper for the Park position and I think you would lose that. Other than that you might have to just keep the tranny controlling stuff. I personally think automatics work on black magic. Have you ever taken one apart? It's nuts. That's why I'm a huge fan of manuals.

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
'88 MJ SporTruck shortbed
Rebuilt 2.5L: 40 over rings, 10 on crank, 10 on bearings
nearing 400K

krabysniper · #3 12-31-2001, 05:46 PM

I don't know if that swap is feasable or not but would suggest, if it is, that you look into emmissions laws, I don't know how strict your state is but I do no some state government types seem to get all bent and huffy about putting an "older" engine into a newer vehicle for on highway use. If it is strictly racing or off road only it's not a big deal, on the other hand they don't seem to mind if you put a "newer" engine in an "older" vehicle so long as you include all the emmissions junk. Just a little food for thought to keep the G men away.[img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

YOU NEVER KNOW TILL YOU TRY

#4 12-31-2001, 05:57 PM

I think you should just stroke the 4.0 you might end up with a bunch of stuff just thrown in there and still get no mileage. You cant break an axle if it dont run. SCRAM

athlonaj · #5 12-31-2001, 07:37 PM

Hey I'm just working off of what I've read over at the SWB forum and JU forum. I thought it made sense because I was thinking that the AW4 was first used with the 258's but I see that it wasn't. I think it was the TF999 3spd auto that was used with the 258 and 304. I don't know, I'm going to go back to a couple posts I know where they said that at and ask them how they figure it would.

athlonaj · #6 12-31-2001, 09:19 PM

I spoke with someone who said the inline 6's had their own bolt pattern long ago, but sometime in 72 or later they switched it to the V8 pattern and just left it that way. I checked on the input shaft, the BA10/5, AW4,T15 and T14 all use the 1-1/8" 10spline.
I'm not taking this as all fact for sure yet, just doing more research. Where could I find specs on the bolt patterns though?

JeepCrazyKid · #7 01-01-2002, 09:57 AM

A quick visit to the advance adapters website shows that the bolt patterns for the 258, 304, 360, 401 and even the 4.0L are all the same. Seems to me all you would have to done is get the motor mounts, a modified bellhousing, and start bolting it together. But these things always look and sound better on paper....

Jon

'95 Cherokee Sport
'73 Commando
'00 Wrangler - sold

athlonaj · #8 01-01-2002, 12:28 PM

Cool, thanks for looking and you're right on about things always looking better on paper. I have it well in my head that it would be a royal pain. Motor mounts are no problem, throttle linkage, kickdown cable, wiring, that's all pretty good. I'd love to rip out the dash too and install all new guages, probably rework the whole dashboard too.

The biggest thing I'm wondering about now is the AW4 transmission being computer controlled. Are there any sensors on the engine itself that it reads a signal off of?

#9 01-01-2002, 12:43 PM

I want custom gauges i keep looking for those indiglo ones but nothing for an old 88. SCRAM

et89xj · #10 01-01-2002, 11:21 PM

I tell you what...when you get ready to do the swap, i will be right next to you helping all the way...nothings more fun then droping a v-8 into something...when i re did my 4.0 last winter i was looking into droping a v-8 in but money was short and i just stayed with teh 4.0...I'm working with a buddy of mine on building up my 40 Plymoth truck that i have laying around, but we dont know if we are going to make it 4x4 or a hot rod, two big loves in my life and i dont know :P andy

"To kill a young mans point of veiw is to kill his only friend." jf