AMC Eagle Den Forum

The Mighty 258 => The Engine => Topic started by: Amc1320 on December 17, 2012, 03:38:30 PM

Title: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: Amc1320 on December 17, 2012, 03:38:30 PM
Hi all, I have an 84 wagon body and interior are in good shape, but I had some frame rail rust issues to address, so took the engine out

Fixed the rust problem, but now I have a tired 258 (166K miles) sitting out of the car, I was going to rebuild it, possible swap a 4.0 head on it in the process

BUT, I have a line on a completely rebuilt 4.0 in a crate, done professionally and warrantied. Long story short a friend has a shop and he got "stuck" with the engine due to non payment r something like that

I will get some more details but its an mid ninetys 4.0 long block

I am going carb, not EFI and have been studying a lot of swaps on this forum and others, if I do this I "think"

1. I can use my intake
2. I can upgrade to a Motorcraft 21XX carb set up
3. I can use HEI dist? (or use the one i have and upgrade?)
4. Not sure about my flex plate?
5. Have to find a valve cover??
6. Put in an electric fuel pump somewhere??
7. Find an exhaust manifold or header, and there is some issues with the bracket that hold up the axle to deal with, seems like I saw a pic on here somewhere but now I cant find it

I do not have any type of emmisions stuff to worry about, but since I can get this engine for less than rebuildign my 258 is this worth doing? I understand ti will give the old bird a lot more get up and go, right?

Comments, suggestions and rebukes welcome
Thanks
Rob C
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: Amc1320 on December 17, 2012, 03:40:26 PM
I also have to figure out the fan set up I think and how to hang all the accesories, are the bolt holes the same?

thanks again
ROb
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: mudkicker715 on December 17, 2012, 03:52:39 PM
No going carb is funny on the power steering going carb. easily fabbed. i have 2 strokers one a mid ninetys block the othe a 89 block. meaning both are stroker 4.0's. i run the v belts and eagle accessories.
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: eaglefreek on December 17, 2012, 08:48:22 PM
Rob, do it! It's not much different than the 258. I'll call you tomorrow night.
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: Amc1320 on December 19, 2012, 09:02:52 PM
Ok, eaglefreek you talked me into it!
I'm hoping to get some more details and see the engine in the next few days

Work is really getting in the way of fun stuff right now.....

Give me a call when you can

Thanks
Rob
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: eaglefreek on December 19, 2012, 10:15:42 PM
Quote from: Amc1320 on December 19, 2012, 09:02:52 PM
Ok, eaglefreek you talked me into it!
I'm hoping to get some more details and see the engine in the next few days

Work is really getting in the way of fun stuff right now.....

Give me a call when you can

Thanks
Rob
Oops, I totally forgot about calling you. Yesterday, I was on my way back home from CO when the work truck I was driving broke down and stranded me in Hays, KS. I'll definitely call tomorrow(Thursday).
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: SpreadEagle on December 20, 2012, 12:39:29 AM
Quote from: eaglefreek on December 19, 2012, 10:15:42 PM
Quote from: Amc1320 on December 19, 2012, 09:02:52 PM
Ok, eaglefreek you talked me into it!
I'm hoping to get some more details and see the engine in the next few days

Work is really getting in the way of fun stuff right now.....

Give me a call when you can

Thanks
Rob
Oops, I totally forgot about calling you. Yesterday, I was on my way back home from CO when the work truck I was driving broke down and stranded me in Hays, KS. I'll definitely call tomorrow(Thursday).

Not to hijack but when you come through K.C. sometime you should stop by. I need some guidance.
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: eaglefreek on December 20, 2012, 10:42:38 AM
Quote from: SpreadEagle on December 20, 2012, 12:39:29 AM
Not to hijack but when you come through K.C. sometime you should stop by. I need some guidance.
PM sent.
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: carnuck on January 13, 2013, 04:31:49 PM
If I were physically capable, I'd have a 4.0 and AW4 in my Eagle right now. You run the Wrangler or ZJ 4.0L waterpump and pulley with the matching centered fan. I have that setup in my J10. There is an adapter available to bolt an MC2100 to the EFI intake as well.
   I'm not sure if the TJ 999 flexplate will work with the Eagle trans or a 727, but I picked up a 999 about 10 years ago (from a '99 Wrangler) that I stripped down to use the internals in my Eagle's trans. (It had a bad torque converter and the valve body needed fixing but it was computerized so I skipped it)
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: eaglefreek on January 13, 2013, 05:58:14 PM
Quote from: carnuck on January 13, 2013, 04:31:49 PM
  There is an adapter available to bolt an MC2100 to the EFI intake as well.
   
Really?!! I did a quick search of the net with no luck. Do you have any info where that's available? When I switch to EFI I can keep the carb in the back and switch it out if the computer goes bad in remote area. I'll be using Megasquirt with MSD so I will still have ignition with moving a few wires around and the FPR I'm using can work for either carb or EFI with just a change of a spring for the diaphragm.  :blob1:

Quote from: carnuck on January 13, 2013, 04:31:49 PM

   I'm not sure if the TJ 999 flexplate will work with the Eagle trans or a 727,

I'm running a TJ flexplate on my 998 so I can use the later style starter without any issues.
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: carnuck on January 13, 2013, 08:27:09 PM
But does it have a tone ring for the CPS? I can't find the adapter site. (I don't think it was Gronk's. Maybe one of the Jeep Stroker list guys?) Fuel pressure will be your biggest issue with the EFI pump.
Title: Re: 4.0 swap into the Eagle
Post by: amcinstaller on January 13, 2013, 09:49:45 PM
any flywheel flexplate that came from a 4.0 will have the tone ring. but you need to have the right one for the engine management style, or else it wont run. the number and placement of the notches differs from computer styles. and as someone posted, match the starters too.