RE: V8 into 258 humpster

["Widiker, John D" <john.widiker@xxxxxxx>]

I've been finding lots of deals on Jeep 4.0 engines and transmissions, my
step dad had one in a grand Cherokee and it ran like a top with plenty of
power. Bet it would seriously move a Javelin. Any advice regarding the aw-4,
do I have to find one from a 2wd jeep or can I use one just sans transfer
case? I think this is the most excited I've been in a while, it's such a
nice driving car, I can save up the money for the swap while I drive it and
do it over next winter. Any idea if jeep wrangler headers will fit in a
javelin? Clifford has some Jav specific ones so I'm not so sure. I guess
Kenny Bell makes a supercharger for the 4.0 Wrangler engine, it's way
expensive but damn this would be a cool way to pop some eyes at a show.
Thanks for everyone that's posted. 

Oh the pizza cutter wheels and tires gotta go! 

~John 

-----Original Message-----
From: farna@xxxxxxx [mailto:farna@xxxxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, February 14, 2005 11:45 PM
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: V8 into 258 humpster


Heck John, if you liked the way it drove with the six why don't you do
something unusual and KEEP THE SIX! One of the most looked at cars at one
show was a pristine, unrestored light blue 71-74 Javelin with the original
six in it. If you really want to swap engines swap a 4.0L in. Keep the EFI
and all and you'll have the power of a V-8 but no suspension changes
required. you can even put an AW-4 OD auto in! One caution if you go with
the AW-4 though. It's got a high efficiency torque converter that doesn't
multiply torque much. US built trannys (at least through the 50s to early
80s) have a torque multiplication of around 2.5:1 (anywhere from 2:1 to
3:1). That's why such a high (low number) gear was used in the rear axle
(most AMCs are 2.87 or higher). The AW-4 convereter only multiplies 1.2:1,
so a rear lower rear gear (higher number) is needed -- someting in the 3.23
or lower range. I tried running a 3.08 with my stroker 4.6L and got worse
mileage than I do since I changed!
  to a 3.55 gear (this in a 63 Classic wagon). I wanted a 3.31, but got a
good price on a set of Jaguar 3.55 gears with limited slip (yeah, I put a
Jag axle under the rear for IRS and 4 wheel discs). I think the 3.31 gears
would be ideal for something the size of the Javelin, 3.08 might work fine
in a Spirit. 

--
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Independent 
Magazine" (AIM)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html
(free download available!)
			

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "Widiker, John D" <john.widiker@xxxxxxx>
> To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: V8 into 258 humpster
> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 11:18:53 -0500
> 
> Well drove it 300+ miles and got it home fine, it's very very nice, 
> almost no rust anywhere. Do need a passenger front fender as the one 
> on the car is pretty creased. No cracks in the dash, interior is super 
> nice. Trunk looks great and I could take my hands off the wheel for 
> miles it tracked so straight. I LOVE THIS CAR!!!
> 
> Today I'm going to be looking for a fender, investigating v-8 swaps, 
> looking at turbos, and smiling my butt off the whole time!
> 

> ~John