350 SBC swap or 2F rebuild

[1st times a charm]

1983 fj60 238k miles. Constantly leaking and I’m a bit fed up. Do i rebuild or do a 350 SBC swap. It’s gonna have a carb regardless of what i do because i HATE wiring. If 350 SBC what do i do about the transmission? I’m assuming it won’t bolt right up. Thanks yall

 

[Lead Head]

Those are really two extremes. If the engine is just leaking, but otherwise running well and you're happy with the performance - just do a reseal. Valve cover gasket, lifter cover gasket, oil pan, front/rear main seal. The first 4 aren't too bad to do, but rear main seal will require transmission removal.

If you're looking for more power, than an engine swap will need to be done. You will either need one of the many conversion bell-housing kits that adapt your current transmission to an SBC pattern, or you switch to a Chevy transmission and get an adapter to hook your transfercase to it.

But also man, it's 2026. There is no reason to swap an SBC into that thing. There are so many better swap options. The SBC is literally 70 year old engine technology at this point. The LS motors are so cheap, make way better power, while being lighter and getting better fuel economy. Wiring is a non-issue with LS swaps - there are so many aftermarket swap harnesses that are essentially plug-n-play. Everything all plugs in, and you have like 4 wires you need to hook up. Dirt simple. If you really, really don't like EFI, there are carb kits for LS motors.

 

[1st times a charm]

I am gonna go SBC. I understand they don’t have any benefit over an ls but I’m old school and I can do it for a good bit cheaper. I really appreciate that input and thank you for letting me know that they make carb kits for LS motors. That’s pretty sweet.

 

[White Stripe]

Depends how long you plan on keeping the vehicle. If your keeping it a long time, put a 350 in it. You can get a bellhousing for bolting to the stock trans. You will need motor mounts. Advance adapters has all that

 

[BurntToast]

Mechanical diesel?

Maybe it’s my post build mind, but even gen4 LS motors are getting old and finding one under 100k miles isn’t going to get any easier.

 

[Lead Head]

I am gonna go SBC. I understand they don’t have any benefit over an ls but I’m old school and I can do it for a good bit cheaper. I really appreciate that input and thank you for letting me know that they make carb kits for LS motors. That’s pretty sweet.

If cost is an important consideration, I would recommend just resealing your 2F. Engine swaps are never cheap, especially on LCs. Once you factor in the needed adapters, cooling system, exhaust, A/C compressor situation, etc... you'll easily be $3,000+ in parts alone before you even buy an engine.

 

[rhah]

1983 fj60 238k miles. Constantly leaking and I’m a bit fed up. Do i rebuild or do a 350 SBC swap. It’s gonna have a carb regardless of what i do because i HATE wiring. If 350 SBC what do i do about the transmission? I’m assuming it won’t bolt right up. Thanks yall

The question is how much do you plan on using your rig and what do you value

If daily driving is the goal - sbc

If factory look and feel is the goal - 2f

Usability is where I find value - who cares what motors in it - put something that will keep up with modern times and have a vehicle you can still use

My vote sbc with a holly sniper - your wiring fears arnt as bad as you think they are - I had them now I do LS swaps for customers