Let's say I had an opportunity to acquire a 1986 Cherokee with a 2.5L for next to nothing. Let's say I simultaneously had the opportunity to acquire an AMC 360 or 401. I'm not too familiar with the differences in the '86 and earlier firewall from the 4.0L years. What's the likelihood the AMC motor will fit in the engine bay with no major cutting?

Interesting. Don't have an '86 Cherokee but do have a '96. Have a 304 in a CJ5. I get a chance this week I can do some comparisons.

Thanks, but that's not necessary. I know it will fit in a '96, because somebody here has already dropped a 360 into an XJ. The firewall was different in '84-'86, making the engine bay too short for the 4.0L. What I want to know is whether those differences in the '86 will interfere with an AMC V8.

I would think it would fit if I fab up some motor mounts, but I figured I would see if anybody with one of the early XJs has any insight.

v8 won't need the firewall mod....

IF you acquired this 2.5L, would you be willing to sell the intake manifold and distributor?

I might have both of those....

If so, let me know. Thanks. Want to build another but with a carb instead of TBI for my mud buggy.

Not right away. My Gladiator, 2000 XJ and Subaru would be in front of it in line, so I'd likely drive it with the little 4 cyl in it for a while until its turn in the warehouse.

I'm asking now because I don't want to buy this thing and then be stuck with just LS motors or GM V6s as engine options, and everybody does LS swaps when they can't think of anything else. I wanted to make sure I could do something a little more interesting with it.

Sounds good. An AMC with an AMC engine. I know people put 318 and 360's in them all the time so I don't see why a 401 would be any harder to fit as it's almost the same size as a 360.

do it, i support v8s in xjs

i want to do an ls mj some day with a 97+ interior/ front clip swap

I believe it should fit but have no idea if its 100%