Engine preference questions

[Zorm]

Ok, need thoughts from more "ford guys" then me. I have a 83 Jeep Cherokee, last of the big ones, Grand Wagoner size. I have built a stroked jeep 6 cylinder but actually want a Ford v8. This full size jeep did not come with the AMC 360, it has always had the straight 6, 4.2, I built a 4.7. I have found a 80's 351w, and a 351C, both running. Also found a 400 that has been slightly modified with cam, bored .30 over and Weind intake.

So I know the 351w and 351c share the same bell housing pattern correct? So I can either use my Jeep T176 4 speed manual set up with the ford bell housing or get an adapter for my NV3550 5 speed. If I go for the 400, I would need a totally different tranny/transfercase set up.

Ok, if you had a choice, and I'm not looking to race this thing, it would not be a daily driver, just a few days a week and going off road but not mud racing or rock crawling, which engine would you all go for. Oh I also hear to get a 90's 351w because they are "roller" motors, would that really matter in my case?

thanks

[DuckRyder]

I’m not much a fan of cross-pollination and if it was my Jeep I’d put the 6 back in it.

That said out of the motors you have listed I would do the 351W if I had to.

The 351C is a comparatively rare engine and core cost and parts for it are higher.

The 400M is a much unloved engine with not great aftermarket support.

The 35iW is fairly common and parts are easy to get and fairly cheap even more so if it shares the part with a 302/5.0...

20 years a go I could have given you the complete run down on 351 roller blocks but at this point about all I remember is that they aren’t common. Retro fit roller cams should be plentiful though.

[cep62]

As much as I'm a Ford guy, I have some Jeep friends.
I'd look for a donor vehicle with a 360 or 401, then you can have a bolt in swap.
The AMC V8s are a good motor if you understand a few of their quirks.

But if you want to go Ford , the 351W is a good choice , although I'd probably put in a 429/460.

[JoshT]

Third vote for the Windsor. I'm with DuckRyder on the cross-pollination thing, but of the three you posted I definitely feel the 351w is the way to go.

[Jacksdad]

Windsor or 400 in that order.

The Windsor is compact and light, and it can be built for torque (which is probably what you want). They're still plentiful, the aftermarket takes good care of them, and it's easy to build a strong motor using off the shelf parts.

Cleveland heads - even the 2V - were not made for low end grunt, but the 400's extra cubes make up for it. They were smog motors, but respond well to tuning and can be made to build a lot of torque. I doubt you want to spend as much as he did, but John Kaases's success in Hot Rod's Engine Masters Challenge amply demonstrates their potential, with one of his motors making 515 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. It is physically a bigger engine than most small blocks though, with it's almost 10.3" deck height.

[colnago]

I’m not much a fan of cross-pollination and if it was my Jeep I’d put the 6 back in it.

Me, too.

Joseph

[Manny]

Built amc engines before and actually like the 360 its got a good power on size deal that to me the 304 even though same size just wasn't worth it's weight as the 360. As for the Ford engine dumped in there. No doubt Windsor...... Cleveland is hot rod 400M is heavy for what you get. 351w is the best bang for the buck weight size just everything!

[Zorm]

I have asked this question on a few sites and every says 351W for ease of mods. So, a few more questions.

Found a 351w that a guy used to street race in a 80's mustang, he passed 4 years ago and his wife is just now selling it so it has set for 4 years. She has no idea about the engine but that it is a 351w, I verified that. It has a 4bbl intake, Holly carb, and headers

Also found a 351C in a F250 running but has not moved for a few years, truck has no rear end.

I'm leaning towards the 351w but if its built for racing, would it be built for higher revs, not the lower torque? would be cool its its a stroked 408, but how can I tell?

[Manny]

I have asked this question on a few sites and every says 351W for ease of mods. So, a few more questions.

Found a 351w that a guy used to street race in a 80's mustang, he passed 4 years ago and his wife is just now selling it so it has set for 4 years. She has no idea about the engine but that it is a 351w, I verified that. It has a 4bbl intake, Holly carb, and headers

Also found a 351C in a F250 running but has not moved for a few years, truck has no rear end.

I'm leaning towards the 351w but if its built for racing, would it be built for higher revs, not the lower torque? would be cool its its a stroked 408, but how can I tell?

351w built for racing my biggest question is what intake, and what cam? you can't tell i know but you may wish to scale it back with a milder cam intake and carb which will make it run better in your big jeep. The stroke check on cyl #1 and #4 this with #1 at the top of stroke then you check #4 and the distance between the 2 equals stroke which then lets your know if its stroked or not.

[sideoilerfe]

As much as I'm a Ford guy, I have some Jeep friends.
I'd look for a donor vehicle with a 360 or 401, then you can have a bolt in swap.
The AMC V8s are a good motor if you understand a few of their quirks.

But if you want to go Ford , the 351W is a good choice...

The AMC V8s are great. To answer your question, i'd also vote for the Windsor. There's a lot of aftermarket parts available.

[Zorm]

picked up a 351w from a 1990 college maintenance van. Had about 160k miles. It has the FI but I am going to remove that and put on a aftermarket FI or maybe use the TBI system I removed from a chevy 350 to use in my 71.

Rebuild or just freshen up? If not much cylinder ridge, I was just planning on honing the cylinders, check bearings with plastige, re-ring, clean up the heads, and put back together. if there a cam I should look at for just a mild umph?

thanks