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  1. #1

    Default Giving up on the tornado

    I just can't get this thing running right. Starts great and seems to run well but doesn't have much power. I rebuilt the carb first and got her running. Someone before me hacked the military spark plug wires to splice civy wires and plugs. I did the best I could to rewire it but I think the distributor, wiring, and coil are suspect. I just don't know if I want to spend any more time or money on this engine. I adjusted the valves and compression is great but I think this engine will need someone more familiar to get her running right.

    From what I read the SBC is the easiest swap. Is that correct? What are the pitfalls that I should consider before embarking on the swap?

  2. #2

    Default

    I put a 454 in mine first.. cooling was my issue with the factory radiator.. then it was fuel milage, 6-10 mpg..
    It was a easy swap if you are a welder and fabricator..
    Next i went diesel.. should have done it in the first place power... and 15 mpg..
    Cummins 12v....nv4500.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    Wichita Falls, TX
    Posts
    603

    Default

    The availability of mount and transmission adapters make the Chevy swap easier. The adapters are pretty expensive though. And they are for mounting to the stock transmission, and most people end up wanting an overdrive transmission instead.
    Then rewiring for the ignition. Either wiring in a 12 volt branch just for ignition or converting the while system to 12 volt.

    If you can do a little cutting and welding, sometimes it's "easier" to replace all of it at once. And if you can cut and weld then pretty much anything that came in a car or pickup will fit.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    New Haven, CT
    Posts
    1,954

    Default

    You will find examples of every conceivable engine swap here. I would look for an engine/2wd OD trans combo to drop into the truck, rather than keeping the T98. Or 4wd trans / married TC if you don't want to deal with the NP200's issues. Lots of options.
    Last edited by Mikel; June 19th, 2018 at 12:14 PM.

  5. #5

    Default

    Ford 300 I6, Cummins 6BT 5.9, Chevy SBC seem to be the big ones...

    LSx, Big Block, and 8.1L Vortecs have also been done/inprogress also.

    I drove my tornado home and pulled it.... it ran... barely.
    67' M715/5.9 Cummins/ZF5/NP205

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Fernandina Beach, FL
    Posts
    3,689

    Default

    Don't ask me, I love the Jeep 230 CID Tornado engine. Mine runs just great, not a lot of power but it is what I remember from... 1969-70 when I drove them.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    west central wisconsin
    Posts
    315

    Default

    I would think getting the 230 running right would be cheaper and easier than an an engine swap. Not to sound mean ,but a swap is going to be much more complicated than tuning the 230.
    DaveJ

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    New Haven, CT
    Posts
    1,954

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DAVEJ View Post
    I would think getting the 230 running right would be cheaper and easier than an an engine swap. Not to sound mean ,but a swap is going to be much more complicated than tuning the 230.

    If what you want is the power and reliability of a 230. It depends on the owner's needs and wants.

  9. #9

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by DAVEJ View Post
    I would think getting the 230 running right would be cheaper and easier than an an engine swap. Not to sound mean ,but a swap is going to be much more complicated than tuning the 230.
    Your probably right but not by that much. I figure to really get this thing running right would require full rebuild of the distributor with new wires and plugs(military) and probably electronic iginition. Or go with the civi replacement distributor. Both will run in the $500 range.

    Then I probably will need a professionally rebuilt carburetor as I don't think its fueling properly either. another $250 or so.

    For that I could get a novak kit with new clutch. Then all I need is a chevy 350 which are not too hard to come by around here and some misc stuff. After selling my 230 and alternator and starter. It probably wouldn't be a huge difference and would have the power to pull hills as I live in the mountains of NC.

    So I may be selling the 230 very soon. Want to leave it in the truck so whoever is interested can see it run.

  10. #10

    Default

    After doing a bunch of searching I am torn between adapting a 350 to the t98 vs just buying a mid 70's doner chevy truck and swapping the whole drive line. I can do some fab work but would't call myself an expert by any means.

    Can anyone speak to the differences in how much different it would be to swap a 350 with sm465 vs novak adapter to existing tranny? What's required of the drive shafts? Can the doner truck drive shafts be modified or the m715 drive shafts?

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