I'm planning to swap in a 351 from a ford bronco into a 87 two door cherokee. I was wondering if anybody has done this mod before or if anybody has any advice on how to do it. :nuke:

Originally posted by 351 cherokee
I'm planning to swap in a 351 from a ford bronco into a 87 two door cherokee. I was wondering if anybody has done this mod before or if anybody has any advice on how to do it. :nuke:
In the process of a motor swap myself, but not a ford motor. Do the research, also search the threads with that little nuke button called SEARCH, take measurements, yadda, yadda. Also pay attention to where the motormounts are mounted to the unibody frame, should plate it. Definitely throw in a better radiator, it is reported in Consumers Reports that the XJs (87-90 4.0L) do occasionally have a cooling problems, so I don't think your current Rad is up to the test of a V8
Otherwise, as Nike says, JUST DO IT.
:flipoff2: :D

.....And welcome aboard, NEWBIE!:beer: :flipoff2: :D :beer:

Make sure you get the engine wiring harness and computer with the 351. Then you will just need a FSM for the truck that you took the motor from. So that you can figure out how to splice into the ignition from your current wiring. Then you can use the FSM to figure out how to get your gauges to work with the motors wiring.

Good luck. I'm having a bitch of time with my wiring right now because I did not do that.

Originally posted by sfraser
Make sure you get the engine wiring harness and computer with the 351. Then you will just need a FSM for the truck that you took the motor from. So that you can figure out how to splice into the ignition from your current wiring. Then you can use the FSM to figure out how to get your gauges to work with the motors wiring.

Good luck. I'm having a bitch of time with my wiring right now because I did not do that.

I forgot to mention this. It helps to have the donor truck around. (but I think you knew that)
You can also use some of the sensors N such from the cherokee engine and plug them into your new block. This will enable your computer to read familiar codes, and not send it into orbit.
Use both vehicle manuals and cross-check each other on wiring schematics, take note or hilite pathways to help visually. :D

Good luck:flipoff2:

the 351 is the m designation. Its a carburated engine so I'm planning on putting the new holley off-road carb on there. As far as the wiring goes I really don't have a clue about that yet, because the cherokee is injected and the donor is carbed. I'm also planning to install the trans, t-case and both axles(d44 and 9-inch). My biggest concern at the moment is being able to fit the engine in the jeep and trying to find motor mounts to allow this. I called advance adapters and I'm waiting on a return call or I'll call back next week.:beer:

If you don't have emissions testing to deal with, WAY TO GO THEN! I seem to remember that there are a few offroad specialists who deal with motor mount conversions, M.O.R.E. is one of them. www.mountainoffroad.com Check the "search" for engine swaps, I'm sure something will come up.
A set of aftermarket gauges will get you by, I'm sure that you have electronic ignition, follow the manual for wiring. Maybe someone else will pop up with the tedious details involved.:D
Have you taken the preliminary measurements to make sure that the block will fit between the framerails, including exh. manifolds or headers? Hood clearance can be solved with a moded hood.