AMC 151 four cylinder

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Jim, there's no way that 151 four cylinder came from a Pacer! Obviously
someone has a Spirit and Pacer mixed up or something like that, maybe an
Eagle. That, however, is beside the point. What is the engine going
into? 

AMC used two different 2.5L four cylinders. The "151" is the Pontiac
(GM) "Iron Duke", used in Jeeps and AMCs from 1980-83. It has a small
block Chevy transmission bolt pattern. Any rear drive 2.5L made before
83 does. Later ones use a smaller diameter bell housing, and a different
bolt pattern. I don't recall how to tell by looking at them, but as far
as I know all 1982 and earlier rear wheel drive GM cars/trucks with the
2.5L use the SBC bolt pattern. 83 was a transition year and I'm not sure
which pattern (SBC or small V-6/I-4). It was only used in CJ Jeeps and
AMC Spirit and Eagle four wheel drive cars (mostly the SX/4, but a few
big Eagle sedans and wagons also). 

AMC/Jeep came out with there own 2.5L four in late 1983 for the new 1984
XJ Cherokee. This is usually referred to as a "150", and sometimes as a
4.46L. It's a totally different design -- the block is basically an AMC
six with the two center cylinders cut out, but with a new head design
and some other differences. For some reason AMC decided to use the small
GM bolt pattern instead of the standard AMC bolt pattern for the bell
housing. I can only assume this was for easier transmission
availability, though AMC had Chrysler cast automatic transmission cases
to fit it. This pattern is used on all 1984 and later GM fours as well
as the narrow V-6 engines (60 degree; 2.8/3.1/3.4L) -- front and rear
wheel drive. The Cadillac 4.1L and 4.5L V-8s also use this bolt pattern.


The rear drive GM 2.5L four will interchange with the AMC four with some
minor mount mods as long as the transmission goes with it. It shouldn't
be difficult to fabricate mounts for others or the small V-6. If keeping
your transmission I wouldn't recommend one of the Caddy V-8s. 

If you need a two wheel drive application it may be difficult to find
one in a Jeep, but there are plenty of GM S-10 pickups with the later
2.5L and small V-6s that will work. Front drive engines, like the Quad
Four, can be used, but will require custom mounts and exhaust pipes, and
possibly modifying some of the accessory mounts. 

Frank Swygert

Original message------------------------------

WANTED: 151 c.i. (2.5) engine from a Pacer or jeep, The engine I have is
fron a 1980 Pacer, need one baddly in good shape. Thank you, contact Jim
Milella dentfender@xxxxxxxxx 585.415.6384
========================================
Anyone with a 151 for sale please give Jim a shout above thanks
Eddie Stakes'
Planet Houston AMX
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com