231 buick v6 (1 Viewer)

[cosfj40]

76 FJ40 - 231 Buick V6

Hi all. I just bought a 1976 FJ40 that has no rust, no dents. The body is IMMACULATE. Previous owners, however, removed the original 2F and put in a 231 Buick V6. Thoughts on this motor? In 6 months or so I'm hoping to stick a 2F in this baby but wanted to get some input on what will be powering the FJ in the meantime. THANKS!

 

[40hazjo]

There great motors. my dad ran them in his race jeeps long time ago. and his 71cj5 has a pumped up little 231 in it know. I would have to say leave it if she is a good runner.

Joe

 

[cosfj40]

Huh, how is their get up and go? I'm a little concerned about their HP.

 

[Waggoner5]

Hp was better than a 2F but not by much. They built an Odd firing 231 and an even firing 231. The later being much smoother and more power. Not sure how to tell them apart though the even fire is the better of the 2.

 

[cosfj40]

It's the even firing one. I haven't really driven it yet but I'll have more info and pics on Thursday when I get the chance to really take it for a spin.

 

[twoturtlesracing]

Is that the black one that was up in Denver at that little car lot with the slick salesman? If it is, I looked at it before I bought my cruiser and it seemed to run pretty good. It'll be interesting if it is, as I probably considered that one as my second choice when I bought mine! ( I wanted to stay with a 2F though) Best of luck to you!

 

[cosfj40]

Is that the black one that was up in Denver at that little car lot with the slick salesman? If it is, I looked at it before I bought my cruiser and it seemed to run pretty good. It'll be interesting if it is, as I probably considered that one as my second choice when I bought mine! ( I wanted to stay with a 2F though) Best of luck to you!

Yep, the one and the same! I prefer the 2F as well but I really liked the shape it was in (just needs some cleaning up and a heater fix) and what I ended up paying was more than reasonable.

 

[twoturtlesracing]

Cool man! I saw that you were from Colorado Springs and figured that it pretty much had to be the same one! I'll keep an eye on your progress- always fun to see what happens to a cruiser your a little familiar with.

 

[cosfj40]

This is the goal!

 

[vk7ybi]

Out here in Aus, the Holden 3.8V6 is a common swap.. Apparently this engine design is borrowed from the Buick design.. Apparently they go pretty well in 40s..

 

[cosfj40]

That's a little bit of relief. Until later today I won't know if they swapped the tranny or not (saw a conversion plate someplace).

 

[slvrbck]

I've known people that have had them in all types of rigs, 40's, mini's, *eeps....they are pretty good motors, and I haven't heard many complaints about them.

 

[vk7ybi]

One crowd here makes a replacement clutch housing, so no adaptor plates as such are used.. I dont know how its done over there..
Theyre a common swap into the Hilux and 4Runner too, but those guys often use the auto trans that came with the engine.. I believe theyre from the GM line, the Turbo Hyrdamatic?

 

[twoturtlesracing]

You know, you might pm downey (Jim). He used to have almost everything to put buick V6's in Toyota mini's and probably knows about that motor.He's big on conversions so know that before you talk to him!

 

[Pin_Head]

I had a Buick 225 V6 in my M38A1 back in the 70s and it was a good engine. It is an earlier version of the 231. It isn't much of an advantage over the 2F and visa versa. If your 231 ain't broke, don't fix it by swapping in a 2F.

 

[cosfj40]

Really drove it for the first time yesterday. It did pretty good even considering the motor needs a tune-up, oil change, filter replacements, etc. After that I think it will be a fairly good engine. Having said that I believe I will switch to a 2 or 3F this summer. For some reason it doesn't quite seem like an FJ40 without an F motor in it...

 

[cosfj40]

Took the 76 FJ40 for a bit of off-road fun today. Got to say that I am impressed by the 231 Buick V6 after giving it new filters, plugs, spark plug wires, oil change, etc. It did much better than I anticipated. Not too shabby at all.

 

[nattybumppo]

I looked at that one too. Went with one that had a 2F instead, but it was in good shape, frame and body OK. Congrats on a nice rig, and have fun!

 

[Brian in Oregon]

The 231 V-6 is a perfect engine for Jeep swaps. Just the right length and just the right amount of power increase, considering the weak axles. Much easier to live with than a SBC, which eats up room and invariably forces you to run a very short rear driveshaft at a less than desirable angle. Note that the Jeep is about 1000 lbs lighter than an FJ40.

 

[chevy454fj40]

buick fj40

I have just put a buick 231 in a fj40 landcruiser and from inside the cab the engine turns anti clockwise will this make it go in reverse when it is in drive im using the buick turbo 200 i was told it is with it to the original fj40 diff,there seems to be no problem with the fj40 you are talking about here but am wondering what mine will do any help please