I have a 1984 CJ-7.  I recently threw a rod in the original 258 and decided to do a Chevy V-8 swap.   A "friend" of mine was going to do the work.  To make a long story short, the jeep is now sitting in my driveway, unfinished after 1 year, with no engine!!  I'm now stuck on whether to go with the Chevy swap, or, go back to original 258.

Any suggestions on V-8 swaps??   Also, what is the best V-8 to swap, if I decide to go that way.  

Dude, I don't know what the best engine swap is but I've heard it's the chevy  v-8 or the 4.3.  I've been watching this post board for a while hoping that someone will respond.  No such luck.  This isn't a message board for technical issues beyond different lift kits.  Most of the people here have more opinions than know how.  I've been told and gotten the impression that what mods they have made have been done by someone else or a shop (nothing wrong with that)

When I find a group that knows what they're talking about and not just what they're complaining about I'll let you know.

The Chevy 350 V8 is a good swap. But there are other options, like the AMC 304 V8 it would just about be a straight bolt in.

You really have many options that are all good ones if you are sick of a 4 banger. I would have to say that the easiest options would be to buy a AMC 304/360/401 or a chevy 350 for the simple fact that Advanced Adapters makes good conversion kits for these engines. Or you could also go the route of the tried and true 4.0. I think advanced adapters makes a kit for that engine too. Just remember though that if you do these swaps that you might have to buy an adapter to mount to the tranny. Or if you swap trannys you will have to buy an adapter to connect that to the transfer case. Plus driveline lenth might change witch means getting your drive shafts shortend/lenthend. And just as a little warning...the rear leaf springs on wranglers are very weak and like to cause wheel hop when a good amount of horsepower is applied. So i would advise possibly traction bars, or you can go the wa i did and just add a traction leaf on the top of your spring pack. Then of course there is always just the option of buying a Jeep that already has the engine you want in it. Whatever way you go good luck.  

I am very very very happy with the 4.3 L chevy engine I swaped into my 64 M38A1. I only have 5.38:1 gears in the axle, but I still get 21+ mpg on the highway. The guy I got the engine from parted out a blazer and pulled the whole blazer wiring harness (including computer) with the engine. Got it all, including the 700R4 tranny for $400. I just hooked up the wiring harness to the battery, put the blazer fuel pump into my tank and she runs great. Painless Wiring makes a fuel injection/computer wiring harness for this and many other engines so you don't have to deal with all the extra wires like me. Chances are you would have to get an adapter from Advance Adapters http://www.advanceadapters.com/ . They also sell the weld/bolt in engine mounts that are very easy to install and headers that fit right in. The going price at wrecking yards in So. Cal. for a good 4.3 L long block, most accessories (starter, alternator, etc.) included is about $750.

P.S. I still have the 700R4 tranny, I'm hanging onto it for future possiblities.

HEY:

i have a just done the engine swap thing to my 84 cj7.  I put a chevy 305 in it out chevy caprice.  It took me all summer and i got it a day before i went to college at Penn State!  MY dad had to take it to get exaust put on.  I drove it now three weekends worth now! and I love it the extra 60-80 horse power is well worth the time and energy.  But if restoring your jeep you have to remember that the Six cylinder engine is a very good one.  They can run for up to 300 thousnad miles with the low rev that it has.  If interested i have a my old engine for sale it is in the message at the top or jsut e-mail at  rms359@psu.edu.  hope you have luck!  The transistion is easy for the chevy 283-405.  All you need to by is the engine mounts and bell housing from a chevy to a jeep!