I'm in the slow process of rebuilding my CJ5. I have a fresh ford big block, less than 3000 miles that I saved from another project vehicle.

I bought a good frame from a junk yard and had it cleaned and reinforced.

Since its a bare frame (no engine mounts or any kind of brackets) I know I have the option to put the engine where I want. Do I want the engine as far forward as possible to give me more rear driveshaft ( the CJ5 right know has an 18" long shaft), or do I want to move it back a bit to center the balance as much as possible? Should I just put it where the good old factory thought it looked best?

This is a mud/trail Jeep with the only rock (tree, stump, telephone pole or hill) that I plan on climbing is to get to the mud hole.