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Author Topic: 1981 SX4 Restore  (Read 3050 times)

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Offline Cole1986

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1981 SX4 Restore
« on: April 19, 2012, 02:21:48 PM »
I'm upgrading my Eagle from a 4 cylinder to a 258. I need help as to where I can buy one and which one to buy. Plus I would love to put in a different transmission. Which one would work and where do I find one. I've never done an engine swap before but I have all the tools and a shop to do it in. Just need some help as to what I going to need as far as parts go. Please help. I've owned this eagle for ten years now and I finally have to okay from the wife to do something with it.
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Prafeston

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Re: 1981 SX4 Restore
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2012, 02:25:18 PM »
You have a poll with both answers also being questions!  ;D

If you are swapping you might as well just go with a Cherokee 4.0 engine swap. There is plenty of write ups on the subject on the forum. Someone can point you in the right direction. There are also several topics on different transmissions that swap in with little to no modifications.

...I'm no expert on either subject though.
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Offline Cole1986

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Re: 1981 SX4 Restore
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2012, 02:31:15 PM »
Thanks
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Offline eaglebeek

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Re: 1981 SX4 Restore
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2012, 02:41:54 PM »
If you're going with a 258 you need a 1980 or newer...I believe this is right...engine that has accomodation for mounting the front differential.

Having said this, your options are almost limitless. There's an ongoing thread that covers just about any possibility. You may want to check this out:http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=37553.0
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Offline Whuntmore

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Re: 1981 SX4 Restore
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2012, 02:44:29 PM »
Quote from: Prafeston on April 19, 2012, 02:25:18 PM
You have a poll with both answers also being questions!  ;D

If you are swapping you might as well just go with a Cherokee 4.0 engine swap. There is plenty of write ups on the subject on the forum. Someone can point you in the right direction. There are also several topics on different transmissions that swap in with little to no modifications.

I'll second that, If I had to swap out a motor in an Eagle, I'd just look for a good 4.0.  Probably get a better tranny, that will give you better mileage on the highway.
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rohnk

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Re: 1981 SX4 Restore
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2012, 03:11:09 PM »
If I had money  ::), I'd buy a used 258 and have it machined 30 over with new pistons. Use a 4.0 head and strooke it out. Then I'd bolt it to a 727 tranny and an NP229 transfer case.

I think that would all work together anyway ???

Probably have to upgrade the axle gears too so the torque didn't kill them.
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