I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

 

> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.

A GM 3.4L V6 is a drop-in replacement. Anything different/larger is a really
complex set of changes to the firewall and a number of mounts.

I put one in my 84. The 3.4L doesn't support a mechanical fuel pump so you'll
have to fit an electrical one. I put mine back near the tank. That and
sometimes the flywheel may need new holes to mate up to the crankshaft. I also
seem to recall there being some crank pulley and belt issues. Nearly everything
else just bolted right back up to it; intake, carbs, pumps, exhaust manifolds
(check for cracks), etc.

I seem to recall the motor from an S-10 or a Camaro being a frequent donor.

It didn't really do much to change the performance or mileage. But my old 2.8L
was toast (thrown rod) so it's not like I had much choice. Given the time/money
spent on having it done, however, I think I'd have been better off selling it
and getting something else. Live and learn.

-Bill Kearney

 

> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.

A GM 3.4L V6 is a drop-in replacement. Anything different/larger is a really
complex set of changes to the firewall and a number of mounts.

I put one in my 84. The 3.4L doesn't support a mechanical fuel pump so you'll
have to fit an electrical one. I put mine back near the tank. That and
sometimes the flywheel may need new holes to mate up to the crankshaft. I also
seem to recall there being some crank pulley and belt issues. Nearly everything
else just bolted right back up to it; intake, carbs, pumps, exhaust manifolds
(check for cracks), etc.

I seem to recall the motor from an S-10 or a Camaro being a frequent donor.

It didn't really do much to change the performance or mileage. But my old 2.8L
was toast (thrown rod) so it's not like I had much choice. Given the time/money
spent on having it done, however, I think I'd have been better off selling it
and getting something else. Live and learn.

-Bill Kearney

 

> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.

A GM 3.4L V6 is a drop-in replacement. Anything different/larger is a really
complex set of changes to the firewall and a number of mounts.

I put one in my 84. The 3.4L doesn't support a mechanical fuel pump so you'll
have to fit an electrical one. I put mine back near the tank. That and
sometimes the flywheel may need new holes to mate up to the crankshaft. I also
seem to recall there being some crank pulley and belt issues. Nearly everything
else just bolted right back up to it; intake, carbs, pumps, exhaust manifolds
(check for cracks), etc.

I seem to recall the motor from an S-10 or a Camaro being a frequent donor.

It didn't really do much to change the performance or mileage. But my old 2.8L
was toast (thrown rod) so it's not like I had much choice. Given the time/money
spent on having it done, however, I think I'd have been better off selling it
and getting something else. Live and learn.

-Bill Kearney

 

> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.

A GM 3.4L V6 is a drop-in replacement. Anything different/larger is a really
complex set of changes to the firewall and a number of mounts.

I put one in my 84. The 3.4L doesn't support a mechanical fuel pump so you'll
have to fit an electrical one. I put mine back near the tank. That and
sometimes the flywheel may need new holes to mate up to the crankshaft. I also
seem to recall there being some crank pulley and belt issues. Nearly everything
else just bolted right back up to it; intake, carbs, pumps, exhaust manifolds
(check for cracks), etc.

I seem to recall the motor from an S-10 or a Camaro being a frequent donor.

It didn't really do much to change the performance or mileage. But my old 2.8L
was toast (thrown rod) so it's not like I had much choice. Given the time/money
spent on having it done, however, I think I'd have been better off selling it
and getting something else. Live and learn.

-Bill Kearney

 

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cheroke...28-34swap.html
http://www.high-performance-engines.com/engineswap.html
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Augustus Nero wrote:
>
> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric

 

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cheroke...28-34swap.html
http://www.high-performance-engines.com/engineswap.html
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Augustus Nero wrote:
>
> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric

 

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cheroke...28-34swap.html
http://www.high-performance-engines.com/engineswap.html
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Augustus Nero wrote:
>
> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric

 

http://www.off-road.com/jeep/cheroke...28-34swap.html
http://www.high-performance-engines.com/engineswap.html
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Augustus Nero wrote:
>
> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric

 

You need to dump that 2.3L V6 no matter how much trouble it is. That is
quite possibly the very worst motor to ever be pushed off of an assembly
line.






"Augustus Nero" <augnero@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:zwGSc.12149$Nl1.8584@fe1.columbus.rr.com...
> I am trying to ressurect an 85 Cherokee that has the 2.8 173 Chevy engine.
> The body is in great shape so the project is worth it. Since it needs an
> engine rebuild, I was wondering if I can easily put a larger Chevy V-6 (ie
> motor mounts and bellhousing). Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric
>
>