Lotsowagoneers wrote: ↑Sat Nov 07, 2020 1:35 pm
Dodgerammit - Wow, no stamped numbers? I did not know that. Is that a Jeep thing across the board, or just wagoneers? If that's the case, then maybe I should just go with a crate motor.
ShagWagon - Since I’m now contemplating a crate motor- Was $1800 the long block? What were thier conditions for the warranty? Accredited shop install? New peripheral parts (radiator, water pump, carb, etc)? How many miles do you have on it now?
Crate will be your best bet unless you can find a good builder.
I went all out on mine and learned some things:
Roller rockers are nice but overrated. They are noisy. I'd recommend stock rocker arms.
Forged pistons are pricey, but cheap insurance during tuning. They don't come apart as easily during detonation. Having a desire for economy/towing performance, I had plenty of detonation as I adjusted timing and a/f ratio. No regrets.
If you have a trusted shop do it, just go stock. I like to tinker, so my novice self could easily eff something up as I learned.
There is no truth as far as I'm concerned in regards to the "All AMC blocks are rare 'high nickle content' that don't need bored". Mine was as worn as any vintage engine. It got bored .030 over. They have plenty of meat to work with. There's no danger in an overbore.
Edelbrock performer intake (not performer rpm) is a good intake and deserves it's high rating among the AMC Jeep guys. You can choose your flavor. Either with EGR (if emissions are a concern) or without EGR. Get one.
Since the intake is only half the performance equation, get the upgraded cam option. I think they have the rv and Edelbrock 2132. I'd say either will be better than the stock one. I cherry picked my stuff since my builder was local and went with Engle's K52H cam.
I wanted a 4bbl carb for simplicity. I've done efi before and it is great. However, I like to tinker, so the carb was chosen. I can always add Holley sniper efi in the future should I desire. It is one of the best. If you want timing control, you'll need to add their distributor.
Since I'm rocking the carb, I like the factory duraspark dizzy modded with the tfi coil, big cap, and rotor. I run a basic MSD streetfire module. Simple, reliable, and better running.
You can also do mpfi now with a special edelbrock setup that comes with the intake, fuel rails, and distributor. If you go that route, you
can skip the performer intake I mentioned above since the kit comes with the intake.
Stock manifolds with a y pipe and a flowmaster make a beautiful sound. I opted for Doug Thorley tri-Y headers and the 3" single system. I can feel a tiny bit more power in my butt dyno, but the sound is quite a bit softer than the classic American V-8 rumble the Jeep had before. And it wasn't loud by any means.
Pick your poison.
All of the mods mentioned can be found at BJ's offroad or Summit.
The TFI stuff is easily had at your local auto parts store. grimmjeeper.com has the info about the mod.
Nothing you do is gonna turn your brick into a rocket ship. Just give it a bit (and I mean just a bit) more pep around town.
If you're wanting original, that is just how it is. It'll perform like a slightly worked over 80s American pushrod V-8.
Also if keeping the carb, these things are notorious for vapor locking in the summer/warmer temps. Put in a low pressure electric pump as close as possible to (or inside) the fuel tank. Make sure it delivers only 4-6 psi and you keep the return line filter in place near the carb.
Just my experience with a recent custom build.