1985 Cherokee help

[stb616]

I've been looking at an '85 cherokee- it has a 2.8L V6 and auto trans.

The engine is blown and I've been having a hard time finding what engines will work in it.

I have a couple CJ's (one in project status still) so I currently have 2 extra engines that run- A 258 I6 out of a 76 cj5 and a 2.5 4cyl out of a mid/late 80's wrangler. Will eigther of those bolt of the tranny that's in this cherokee without too many mod's? What engines would work with that tranny?


I don't really want to get into a huge project with this thing, so I guess what I'm wondering is if the two engines I have could make a drivable jeep out of this.

Any other thoughts or FYI's on an 85 with that setup would be cool too.

Thanks in advance.

[Goatman]

Just forget it. That '85 with it's Chev V6 engine and trans are nothing but a PIA. That thing with a blown engine isn't worth the cost of towing it away.

It's too easy to find '87 and up XJ's pretty cheap to be worth spending the time and money to resurrect that '85.

The tranny that's in it won't match any Jeep motor, so if you were going to mess with it you'd have to use a Jeep trans. Also, the core support isn't set in the right position to be able to install a Jeep 6 cyl.

[terryd]

check out jagsthatrun.com..... they sell a set of motor mounts to put a SB chevy in where a 2.8L came out.... also, 4.3L chevy's use a very similar mount, you can probably use the upper clams off of any SB car engine and the stock 2.8L frame isolaters.... just my V-8 S-10 building side speaking here... i'm thinkin a 383 stroker/TH350 or TH700R4 swap?

[85cherokeechief]

The 2.8l v6 and the newer jeep 2.5L use the same bellhousing. I have an 85 and my tranny is out of a 90 yj, so I know this for a fact. Just be sure you use the flywheel from the motor, as I know the 2.8 is externally ballanced.