Chevy350 / SM420 component ?'s

[Zaedock]

Hi folks,
I'm looking for a bellhousing, flywheel, and clutch components to swap my Malibu's 350 into my SM420 equipped YJ which currently has a blown 2.5L.
Instead of rebuilding the 2.5L, it is more economical to do this.
In my search for forks, throwout bearings, pilot bushings, and such, what
year(s)/vehicles should I be getting parts for? My SM420 has the 4 11/16" bearing retainer hole, as most of you know. I plan to keep the hydraulic clutch and make a mount for a custom slave cylinder (what do you guys use???).

My Malibu currently has a TH350 with a 168 tooth flexplate and starter. Is there a 168 tooth flywheel so I can retain my starter or will it work with a 153 tooth?
I need to do this as cheaply as possible.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

 

[bandittyj]

contact Jeff (SVENG52) he has a similiar set up and might have some parts.

 

[Zaedock]

Thanks! I will contact him.

Joe

 

[SVENG52]

HEY COOL PROJECT SIMILAR TO MINE BUT I HAVE THE SM465 THE NEWER TRANNY THAT REPLACE THE SM420. YOUR STARTER WILL STILL WORK I HAVE THE 168 FLYWHEEL. WHAT CLUTCH WERE YOU USING WITH THE 2.5 ? I AM USING A CHEVY 11" CLUTCH AND PRESSURE PLATE I JUST BOUGHT A CENTERFORCE DUAL FRICTION FROM JEG'S. WHAT HYDRAULIC SETUP DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE ? I USE MY STOCK YJ PEDAL WHICH GOES TO A ADVANCED ADAPTERS BRACKET WHICH MOUNTS A TOYOTA EXTERNAL SLAVE CYLINDER ON THE BELLHOUSING. SO ARE YOU ONLY CURRENTLY USING THE TRANNY WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT BELLHOUSING ? NOVAK AND/OR ADVANCED ADAPTERS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO ANSWER SOME OTHER QUESTIONS. I DO HAVE ALOT OF PARTS KICKING AROUND BUT THEY ARE FROM SM465'S NOT SURE IF THEY WILL WORK FOR YOU ? THIS REMINDS ME I SHOULD PUT MY VEHICLE INFO IN MY SIG. REMEMBER THE LAST TIME THIS TRANNY WAS USED IN A TRUCK WAS 1967/68 I BELIEVE SO PARTS ARE GONNA BE DIFFICULT TO FIND AT YOUR AVERAGE JUNK YARD. WHAT TRANSFER CASE DO YOU HAVE AND WITH WHAT ADAPTER IF ANY ?

 

[Zaedock]

I currently run a 2.5L/SM420/NP231HD (Dodge truck) combo.
To get the motor to match up with the SM420, I used a 1986 S10 bellhousing (2.8L V6's, like AMC 2.5Ls, are 60 degree engines), the 2.5L's flywheel and pilot bearing, clutch components for the S10, and a clutch disk from a 1983 CJ7 with a 4 cylinder. I made a line to connect my factory clutch master cylinder to the S10 external slave cylinder. The thing works pissa and looks like it came from the factory that way. I adapted the JB Conversions NP231HD to the SM420 using Advance Adapters.

I really wish my 4 popper didn't cook the oil rings because it works awesome off road. A rebuild on the 2.5L will set me back $1900.00 (I almost crapped myself) to build it with .030 over forged pistons, moly rings, etc. I have the 350 sitting in my Malibu already so swapping it in is the cheaper way out. All I need are the bellhousing and clutch components.

At this point, I might sit on it as I have no garage (to be added this year, I hope) and it's damn cold out.

I appreciate your reply though. I'll let everyone here at NEJeep know how I make out.

 

[beaker]

Just hone the block, re-ring the pistons, install new bearings and lap the valves. You don't always have to overbore. If it's a trail rig, why does the engine need to last another 100k.

There's always getting a junk yard motor, or one out of a s10 too.

 

[CrzyFrlssJeep]

Just hone the block, re-ring the pistons, install new bearings and lap the valves. You don't always have to overbore. If it's a trail rig, why does the engine need to last another 100k.

There's always getting a junk yard motor, or one out of a s10 too.

Thats a pretty good idea you got there.

The motor doesn't even have to be removed either (thats a bonus), I once did an in vehicle overhaul like that on an older GM 3.1 V6 Isuzu Rodeo and I did it that exact same way, that was last year.
Still runs like a charm and passes emissions tests.

 

[CrzyFrlssJeep]

What's he yelling about?

You didn't hear?

Someone put "super glue" on his CAPS LOCK :lol:

Thats SVENG52 for ya'

 

[Zaedock]

Just hone the block, re-ring the pistons, install new bearings and lap the valves. You don't always have to overbore. If it's a trail rig, why does the engine need to last another 100k.

There's always getting a junk yard motor, or one out of a s10 too.

I'd rather have a 2.5L than a S10 2.8L. oke:
I suppose I could do as you suggest and re-ring but if I waste money on bearings, rings, etc and the block turns out to be cracked, it's not worth it. I don't like to cut corners on my drivetrain (the body is another story). Maybe I'm too anal about it...
The $1900 rebuild price seems high, as Summit racing sells GM crate 350's for $1400. The motor would be good to safely spin over 5K rpm though. Something that us 4 bangers need to do in 2 feet of snow.

My brother is trying to talk me into buying the boneyard motor for $650 and have the machine work done on my current engine so I can assemble it at my leisure. The thing is, I have a good 356HP (dyno'd) 350 sitting in my Malibu that isn't going anywhere. All I need now are clutch components and a flywheel.
So far, the consensus from everyone is to buy the boneyard engine and go with it. One thing I do know, is that more things would be destroyed running the 350....something to think about.

Hey DaBrode, SVENG52 has to yell. It's all the time I spent driving around running open headers. :evil:

peace out homies

 

[SVENG52]

I have no regrets on the 350 install actually i have a fresh one being built right now. I am kicking myself because i should have done a built 350 instead of using a old one initially. I would not waste the money on the 4 cylinder unless you can do the cheap setup crazyfearless is recommending. What would be the cost to do that change over ? If it is really cheap it may be worth it. Also remember just throwing in a 350 may seem easy of course your tranny and xsfercase can handle the power but what about your axles ? also you will need cooling upgrades so a new radiator. Also if your engine has a carb you will be taking a step up in power but back without fuel injection. Also a slight weight difference in engines and dont forget about wiring but wiring my 350 into my yj was stupid simple. When finished i had a bucket full of excess junk the 350 did not need. JEFF

 

[SVENG52]

What's he yelling about?

You didn't hear?

Someone put "super glue" on his CAPS LOCK :lol:

Thats SVENG52 for ya'

sorry i have always been caps lock all the time on the other boards i frequent so i just kind of kept it that way SORRY

 

[Zaedock]

I have no regrets on the 350 install actually i have a fresh one being built right now. I am kicking myself because i should have done a built 350 instead of using a old one initially. I would not waste the money on the 4 cylinder unless you can do the cheap setup crazyfearless is recommending. What would be the cost to do that change over ? If it is really cheap it may be worth it. Also remember just throwing in a 350 may seem easy of course your tranny and xsfercase can handle the power but what about your axles ? also you will need cooling upgrades so a new radiator. Also if your engine has a carb you will be taking a step up in power but back without fuel injection. Also a slight weight difference in engines and dont forget about wiring but wiring my 350 into my yj was stupid simple. When finished i had a bucket full of excess junk the 350 did not need. JEFF

Actually, it would only cost me under $200 for clutch components and that's it. I will be making the motor mounts. I already have a 3-core radiator (way overkill for my 4 popper). Four years ago, I swapped a 4.0L/auto OD from a XJ into my YJ, so wiring a 350 will be easy. My 350 has a Carter AFB on it now so it should be pretty good on hills.
My axles....hahaha they're not going to like the 350, so I will need to take it easy until I can score some bigger ones.

Thinking about it, this is the 4th engine my YJ will see. Haha, that kinda sucks. The only thing I will need to worry about will be Mass emissions. I could try running dual cats, but it technically wouldn't be legal as the engine is a mid '70's. That is the only thing keeping me back. It's too bad too, because I only put less than 1K miles a year on it. I guess I could "build" a CJ, but that's not something to discuss on a public board. :wink:
My brother is trying to talk me into buying a boneyard 4 cylinder and work out a 350 build later on. I do have a '59 CJ5 that I was thinking about restoring. A matkins frame and some body work would make it a kick-azz wheeler. Plus, no emissions...

Anyway, I have much to think about. Better turn on the radio...

Once again, thanks everybody for your input. Even if some of you yell at me oke:

Joe