Will a 258 from a CJ bolt up in an early Wrangler? The Wrangler is 4.2L carb not fuel injection. What all will interchange on those motors? If any thing. Thanks in advance for the help.

Yes.

Yes.

But why?

A friend of mine needs a motor for his wrangler. I have a 258. The main bearings in his motor are bad. He is looking for one to rebuild and put in his jeep. The guy has no money, baby on the way, living in a camper behiend the GFs parents house and no job. He has a job waiting if he can get a reliable ride to work. I am also looking for a small reliable car to trade for the jeep as is. The rest of the jeep is in really good shape except the motor that is about to blow up.

damn that sux he got himself in a hard place

Yes.
But why?

Uhhhhhhh....Because he asked.:flipoff2:

Your a great friend. I just finished that swap but backwards. I installed a yj 4.0 in a cj with no problems. They are almost the same engine with a shorter stroke.

Would it be that hard/expensive to replace the main bearings? Seems like it would cost about the same in $$$ and a lot less time if you can get it done with the motor still in the Jeep.

Main bearings are cheap. Yes you can replace them while the motor is still in the vehicle, PROVIDED the crank isn't trashed. Its a pain in the ass tho to do it seeing as u are working on your back, and have to torque things to spec, use punches to slide the bearings out of the journals etc etc. If hes hard up and has time this could be a viable solution for him. Who knows, he might get lucky and its only one of the middle mains. :D