Joined: Apr 04, 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Hollister, CA
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject: Need advise on running gear for 53 m38a1 with a Chevy V8
I blew up the original F-head 4 in my 53 M38A1 so I replaced it with a Chevy 350 to a t-18trans that linked to the original transfer case. It still has the original front end dana26 and dana 44 rear end. Now I am scared to let the clutch out and blow up the front and or rear end. Any suggestions on drive shaft and front end/rear end replacements. Dana 60 maybe??? I have pictures too, the power is ridiculous
The 25 front and 44 rear will handle the Chevy V8 as long as you drive it in a civilized manner. They handle the 225 Dauntless V6 easily when that combo is really driven hard. If your bearings, ring gear backlash, yoke splines and drive joints are heavily worn then yes you will have problems. Bigger stock diffs will require cutting down the width. Bigger aftermarket diffs are very expensive.
These jeeps with stock running gear and their light weight do better when you limit horse power to 150 or less. That Chevy V8 makes your front weight bias too high leaving you with a lot of rear wheel spinning. I feel the 225 Dauntless V6 (or the 231 Buick line) is the best upgrade since it was already installed by Willys from 66 to 71. The next best choice is the 90 deg Chevy V6. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Apr 04, 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Hollister, CA
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:
As far as I could tell everything is in good shape and so far I have not had any problems with the V8 and stock gears, but like you said I have to drive her with care. I also lost about 5-8 miles per hour on the road because the V8 does not want to rev as high as the original f-head 4-cyl where I could get up to 65 on the freeway now 55-58 is pushing it. I would like to do a frame up resto to get rid of some rust and minor body dings. I am leaning more toward forking out the $ for dana 60 front and rear so I can sleep at night in peace. You mentioned the weight in the front from the V8 .... I did have to beef up the front suspension springs and add a few extra in the stack to compensate for the added weight. It has been a fun project but WOW how the money goes.
The cost of used Dana 60's and the cost of getting them shortened will drive that project cost even higher.
The F134 peaked about 3000 RPM. The Chevy V8 is good to 5000 easy. Something is wrong with your engine. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Apr 04, 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Hollister, CA
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:26 am Post subject:
5,000 RPMs sounds about right. The engine with rev that high but I think it is the ford T-18 transmission that is holding her back. It is a 4 speed but first gear is granny low so it never gets used even during most off road applications. It is only good for below 5mph. In 4th gear with the wind at my back and on a slight down grade 4th gear will get me up to 52-54mph at about 4,300-4,500rpms on my tac. It is not a bad ride but there is some play in the steering and she screams down the road. I don't know enough about the drive train to re-gear it. If I did go to dana 60 front and rear.... any suggestions for a different transmission and transfer case??? I am still amazed that the original transfer case still works- it leaks oil like crazy and there is a lot of play in the shifters but it has been that way for the over 10 years that I have owned the jeep. Thanks for your help.
Shop around. The CJ5 was available with a factory limited slip for the 25 and the 44. I believe they were in 4:27 gears which is probably better than the 5:38's you most likely have now. You can still find these around used. You can also install an overdrive. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Apr 04, 2008 Posts: 11 Location: Hollister, CA
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 1:59 pm Post subject:
Thanks for the photo page. Check out my pics. I just got some funds so I am shopping around for someone to do a complete frame-up restoration. I would like to get rid of all of the surface rust and look into cost of doing dana 60 front and rear or just keep the rear end stock and do a dana 44 in the front. I would like to change out the transfer case because it is in bad shape, leaks and a lot of play in the shifters, it also sounds bad a lot of rattle and vibration. I am open to any suggestions. Oh, and the blue paint job has to go!!! I will be going back to the original OD Green with the white star, or a woodland camo would be cool too.
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