Inliners International Forums General Discussion AMC/JEEP Engine transplant

Thinking of a Buick 215 in my 54 CJ3B Anybody on board have any experience w/ this installation, please? All opinions pro/con appreciated. Thanks, David

For the weight saving, or the package size? Hard to find one w/o corrosion.

Panic, Agree on corrosion. I'm mint in that dept. Started driving Chev farm trucks as kid in '47.Dad let me drive his CJ2 in '48' Did lots of service calls and plowing w/ F head wagon during '50s at garage. Been building other peoples toys for 65 yrs, it's time I had one. Have a blueprint 215 on stand that customer didn't take. They're great little engs. Remember the Specials at the shop early '60s. Want to do a neat job or I'll stay w/ the Hurricane. There's a few 153 and 181 chevs here. That's a sensible swap that's been done by some, but wanted to learn of pros/cons first. Thanks, David

Sounds like a win.
The distributor may be the same as 340, 350 so HEI may drop in?
IIRC those engines had a cast alloy accessory cover that tended to eat its pump parts, but I assume that if it's already assembled that know to be good. Be careful about high oil viscosity.
I would be using log manifolds just save save work and reduce underhood temperature.
Carburetor is 4GC? If it works I'd just use it.
IDK if the oil pan from the 215 Olds or later SBB fits to give you choices of sump placement for crossmember, center link, etc.
Picked out out a transmission? Do you need a super low 1st for crawling? Does it have a bellhousing?

Panic,
Appreciate your input. I'll probably use the stock dist. Hei does have longer spark duration shown on scope. Prior to more modern ignitions, During '60s and '70s I would add secondary suppression to lengthen time. Much cleaner emissions and perf benefits. The front/timing cover is alum, as most of the eng. As some others like Pontiac, old anti freeze would erode water pump cavity plus oil pump priming problems also happened to them, incl Caddys.Iv'e got a few 215s and new covers of different styles so oil filter can clear CJ front differential housing on severe bumps( which I won't be doing. I mostly use 5-30 or 10-30 Valvoline or Rotella depending on the eng and usage. Tribology is always changing. Took SAE papers for yrs. Kinda out of the loop now.
I also bought out a GM warehouse of EOS (if you remember that). Please explain Log Manifolds. For exh? I rebuilt the 4GC. Never had the pleasure of doing a Olds 215. I'll probably stick w/ the OE T90. I shan't abuse it. I've got a stick bell hsng and flywheel (I balanced during rebuild). Found an old hsng adapter. It'll need a longer input shaft from Jeep PU truck.
Thanks, David

Yes, cast iron exhaust manifolds, IDK how similar in bolt pattern the 215 is from the Olds, 300, 340, 350 but obviously the port spacing should match and the size increase can't hurt.
There may be some interesting hotrod stuff out there for the Rover.