Can we talk engines?

[HULK]

This weekend marked the first time I wished for more power. Now, I realize I am in the middle of trying to figure out a few engine gremlins, but even still- I still think I would want more power, and more throttle response as well. Bear in mind, this is a brain storming session for me, in no way do I want to start a project like this anytime soon. Probably wouldnt until my shop is built. So please, dont bother offering me the engine you have sitting around.
I currently have a 4.3 vortec crammed in the engine bay of my willys. It is moved as far back as I could get it, and I dont have a ton of room left to spare. Pics for reference...
Jeep in question:

Overall engine bay

Space between pulleys and radiator fan

Back of engine is tucked up under the cowl

So the primary question is, how much more space do I need to fit another 2 cylinders in there? I want to keep my th350 cuz I L.O.V.E. it with the manual valvebody and the slap to reverse saved my bacon this weekend. So, it has to bolt up as well. I would rather not have to redo every mount I have for the trans, transfer, etc, but realize I might have to in the long run. However, if I could get away with just redoing my engine mounts, I wouldnt be sad...
So what say you, almighty web wheelers of lore???

[2a_toys]

I'd go 5.3 V8 if I were to build mine again, if you want to get crazy go 6.0 which is the same footprint as the 5.3. They are plentiful and will bolt up to your TH350. Think the motor mounts even line up with the 4.3 but not 100% sure on that. 5.3's are cheap and plentiful. Another cool thing is the intakes are symmetric and you can flip them around so that the engine sucks air from the back instead of the front. this will free up a bit more room, allow the engine to get cooler air and avoid pulling in water and...and...and...all good stuff.

I'm going to bet you'll have to push your radiator a bit further forward from the looks of it in these pictures. Doesn't look like you have enough room for accessories, could be wrong. Dimensions should be easily obtained with a google search.

[nofender]

I have the same dilemma. Your and my rig are extremely similar. Currently i run a TBI 3.8 Buick. I have a 32K 5.3 on the engine stand. But yet i am leaning towards an old school SBC with the current TBI. I'm very curious what the consensus will be.

[SVARAS]

I had to strech the front of my MB about 3" to fit the 5.3.
I am running a Taurus fan, no space for mech fan and clutch fan.
As far as engine size, you will always want more.....I though with the 5.3 I was done.....well now the old MB sports a 6.0 with VVT
Doing a good search at ebay, you can find a nice 6.0 (LQ4) for $1000-1200.

[HULK]

How did you stretch the front? Did you add to the hood? Or did you add to the frame as well?

[SVARAS]

Originally Posted by HULK

How did you stretch the front? Did you add to the hood? Or did you add to the frame as well?

i just weld a piece of metal where the front fenders bolt to the body. Then I fabbed a new (longer) hood.
You can see pics on my buid.

[ddestruel]

i stuffed an old 58 392 hemi under the hood of my old flat fender and the reason why was the spark plugs point up and the headers and header bolts are accessable from below. now i am not suggesting that 20 years later this is the right idea for you but what it sound like you are looking for is torque and that only comes from cubes. id look at a 6.0 because they are cheap and plentiful.... but i think a mopus motor like a 5.7 might be a little easier on the fingers with the vital accessible from right over head. just my .02. also your at first glance it looks like your radiator is pretty far back from the grille you might consider moving things forward to net the extra room. The 6.0 is going to be most bang for your buck but .... your own personal tastes come into play also. Don't forget the 5.0, its a great motor with options to shorten up the accessories and build decent power just doesnt idle the same as something bigger but depending on what you pull it out of different variations can give you more radiator to engine room plus the dist is in the front allowing you to slip it a little further back

personally i like the big bore motors from the 70's AMC 401's, caddy 500's etc they have the ability to idle down to 150-200 rpm even with tbi (with stall saver removed) on the top of them and come back. Heck i even once slid an elephant 426 in under the hood of a flat fender just to see and prove that it would fit. problem was the frame didnt last long fortunately that motor found a much better home back under the hood of a 72 4x4 with a 4 speed and has since foudns its way back to a drag car. there is no place for an 11:1 motor on the road with todays street fuels. how about a stroked 347 out of a 5.0? or a stroked 351 but then you are getting a little taller. stupid simple EFI, universal wiring harnesses available and short

[wilez5150]

i have a 4.3 on propane in my flat fender buggy. i run J.V. all the time with it with out any problems or lack of power, but i have a 4to1 in the transfer case. the only problem with the buggy is it needs a higher low range to. ones to low hi is to hi. my other flat fender has a 425hp cbc 700r4 dana 300, 5.38's on 37's it will pass everything but a gas pump and give you a woody doing it. there is always a trade off somewhere. my next one is a 4.3 700r4 dana 300, 5.38's on 37's. i think that will nail it pertty close.

[I got the Willys]

The LS Chevy engines are quite a bit lighter than any older all iron engines if that matters.And the roller cam is certainly an advantage.
In theory a SBC is 4.40 inches longer than the 4.3...

[MDDimmick]

Power, we don't need no stinkin power.

[mjs408]

Do you have a shot showing rad clearance? How close is the block to the firewall.

Originally Posted by MDDimmick

Power, we don't need no stinkin power.

[MDDimmick]

Originally Posted by mjs408

Do you have a shot showing rad clearance? How close is the block to the firewall.

Block is up against the firewall but it has not been cut. The big difference is running the Explorer accessories which are about 2.5" shorter than the Mustang parts. All in all an extremely compact package

[csutton7]

like mddimmick i've/i'm shoved/shoving a 5.0 into my '48--it has the explorer intake and I've bought the explorer front acc and timing cover(waiting for them to arrive)----but unlike mddimmick i'm not tight to the firewall, more like 1-1.5" away(so I can remove the rear upper explorer intake bolt, any tighter and I'd have to drill a hole through the cowl and I'm not doing that) and I think I'm screwed with fitting the taurus fan in there--I think I'm still to tight with the taurus fan(got the radiator/fan sitting in the and I think I got 4.75" from front of engine block to fan--explorer water pump is 4" or 4.25" so unless that explorer timing cover is super short at the water pump I'm going to have to put the fan on the outside of the grill(ugly) or build a spacer to space out the grill--- so the explorer intake with the bolt two bolts up on top means you can't stuff the 5.0 back as far as the other style intakes unless you drop the motor a whole bunch(like 7") or possibly drill a hole in the cowl behind the hood hinge---chris

[FF3PM]

Where do you want more power, top end or bottom? Have you considered turbocharging? This would let you keep your engine and all the mods you have done for it.

[csutton7]

well the front dress from the explorer still won't get me enough room with a ford taurus elec fan( not sure how long an Explorer mechanical fan is, but I'm guessing it's longer than the taurus fan)---

so if you get an explorer motor you need to swap the upper and lower intake to a mustang, cuz the back bolts are low and short--this allows you to stuff the motor back 2" more than I have now---

I'm screwed now unless I move my motor mounts, cross members, maybe rework pedals, hydroboost, clutch master and god knows what else(ain't gonna happen)--

I thought I had it dialed in( i'd read the TOTW:5.0 thread a couple of times and I either missed this or it wasn't addressed), but I don't, so now I've got to stretch the front grill or I'm gonna see if I can tilt the grill and make it all work---chris