Ok , now you guys are getting personal, dont ya know your gonna hurt my feelings,..you guys wouldnt wanna make me cry, would ya? Hahahaha
Really though, now that I have had a chance to run the Jeep hard throughout the summer, I gotta tell ya, if I had to do it all over again(the swap), I would do it in a heart beat.
The 5.0 has been a great engine. Its very strong, gets better gas mileage on the trail than the 91 2.5 4 cylinder, that I ran last summer. It pulls very strong and smooth from 700 RPMs(where it smoothly idles) through about 2200 RPMs (it gets a little touchy on the gas pedal above 2200, it just wants to take off). It never gets hot,(runs right at 180 - 200 under any and all conditions). Starts and runs on any angle, and maintaines good oil pressure even when ideling all day long.
I realize there are many great attributes of the SBC, but the 5.0 is a very good mill that deserves some consideration, if your looking for a high performance off road rig. I am finding them in Northern Cal where Im at now, complete with harness, for about $600, all the time, with under 100K miles and 6 month warranties.
NP 435 trannys go for about $250 with a warranty.
OH yeah, Newbies, I was just bustin your balls, Yes a small block Chevy will fit in a YJ, and I wheel with about a 1/2 dozen guys who have done it. Most of them opt to stay with trannys and T cases that readily fit on the Chevy mills, so they usually swap to an axle with a passenger side drop, but you dont have too, if you dont mind spending a little money on adapters. Sorry if I confused any of ya, Hahahaha.
Jeff
89 YJ
Adversity is imminent, versatility is mandatory, misery is optional.