The Perfect Storm-1979 Jeep Cherokee Golden Eagle-Vortec Swap

[DustinLangston]

In 1979 half way through the year the frame widths changed. That is why Novak plays it safe and just says if you have a '79 you have to use their ugly adjustable engine mounts. I have four FSJ's at home right now that are newer than '79, so I measured all of the frame rails. They were all about 30.5" wide (if I remember correctly). So I decided to order the engine mounts for the '80+ years and they bolted right in. I will install the motor today and make sure it fits and get back to you with any problems.
You and I have the same original drivetrain, but it sounds like you may be putting in a 4L60E or 4L80E. If it is one of those transmission then you have to replace the output shaft in the transmission.
I am putting in a 6L80E trans, so the output shaft has to be shortened, but not changed out. A new transfer case input shaft must be installed in my Dana 300 t-case though to mate up to the 6L80E output shaft splines. Hope that helps.

[GaJeep94YJ]

They told me that the height of the frame side engine mount was the issue when it was the 4.2. They said it was too tall to use their bolt in mounts.

Said they had to be cut off flush with the frame then start with the placement of the weld in.

Yes I am using the 4l60e. Must have missed that originally. I'm not looking forward to replacing the main shaft!

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[GaJeep94YJ]

Just measured the distance between the frame rails is 29"ish. Same width as my neighbors 84 Waggoner

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[DustinLangston]

I just went and popped the hood on my '82 Wagoneer. The height of the frame is the same between the top of the frame to the inner fender tub as my '79 Cherokee. So I don't think the height is different. But it was a good refresher. Now I know why I didn't remember the last engine mounts being so hard to get off. The originals are just bolted on with a small 2" piece of steel welded across them. So you just have to cut the 2" weld and they come out. The 6 cylinder models had their mounts fully welded in. The weld was very difficult to cut/grind because the majority of it was under the inner fender tub. But where there's a will there's a way.
So I think the frames are the same, but I think the original mounts were different.

[DustinLangston]

I'll let you know if the motor fits with no issues using the 80+ mounts in my '79 Cherokee.

[GaJeep94YJ]

But those ARE the novak bolt in, then weld the top, motor mounts? Any chance you have the part number?

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[DustinLangston]

MMSJ-G3 is the Novak part number. They are the bolt in and weld the top style, not the universal weld ins. They did bolt right in after I ground the frame down flat from the old 6 cylinder mounts.

[GaJeep94YJ]

Awesome thanks. Any chance you want trace them out on some paper so I can remake them? [GRINNING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

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[DustinLangston]

You know I've actually thought about doing that because they are quite expensive, but would be super easy to make. I'll think about it. It would be nice but I do like the guys over at Novak a lot and would hate to rip off their design.

[GaJeep94YJ]

I've spent so much money with then in the last few days......

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[DustinLangston]

Ya me too! I'm well over $3k so far on this build with them.

[GaJeep94YJ]

Yea tell me about it. (No really please continue to tell us all about it in this thread! )

Got a cheap engine and thought it would make this simple and cheap to swap. Boy was I wrong!

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[DustinLangston]

That was your first mistake. There is no such thing as a cheap LS swap, especially when you're talking 4wd vehicles. Even with a cheap engine/trans you're looking at a minimum $7-8k. I will put out detailed info on part costs so far.

[GaJeep94YJ]

My first mistake was buying a camper that was too big for my vehicles. And then thinking my stock, original jeep just needed a little more power....

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[DustinLangston]

Well the LS swap will definitely pull that trailer piece of cake. I had a little 18ft trailer that was super old and heavy. It pulled it great! Even up the mountain.

[DustinLangston]

Very productive past couple days. Confirmed the cut length on the output shaft at 3 1/16-3 1/8" and cut the shaft after measuring about a hundred times.


Installed the new tailshaft housing/clocking ring and transmission mount. I put the motor mounts on the center holes. The motor was then ready to go in. I was able to install the motor with the stock exhaust manifolds still attached. It went in like butter. Did it by my self in less than an hour. This swap has gone incredibly smooth.
Neither sets of the stock existing holes for the trans crossmember work with the 6L80E, it is too long. So all new holes had to be drilled. Not a big deal just a small added inconvenience. The motor is now in its final resting place.
I installed the new input shaft in the Dana 300 transfer case. That is a fast swap, just a bearing press off and back on to the new shaft. It took about 20 minutes total with replacing the seal at the same time. The transfer case was gone through and rebuilt/resealed. It will be installed next and I will see how much the trans crossmember has to be customized to work with this application.
The custom wiring harness will be here tomorrow and the fuel pump/regulator/sending unit on Thursday. Hopefully it will be running in the next week. Only time will tell.

[DustinLangston]

Oh, one last thing. Remember all those stock fluid lines that OK Auto sent me? Well the transmission cooling lines will totally work with this swap. Sooo cool. I'll post pictures later, for some reason my DropBox isn't syncing.

[DustinLangston]

Was feeling nostalgic today. Came across this picture that I took right before I sold both of these. That was a sad month, but they both went to great families.

[GaJeep94YJ]

Pic of motor mount placement?

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[DustinLangston]

The motor mounts installed in the original motor mount holes. The are specifically made for this application. There was a little confusion on whether they would work for a 1979 or not, but they worked great. They literally bolt right in and then optionally you can weld the upper tab. The motor mounts are from Novak.