v-8 in xj .

what would be better ? to use a 87-up with a 4.0 in it or would it be ok to use a 87-back that had a 4popper in it .

reason i'm asking is i'm looking for a new xj project to v-8 and i'm looking for a super straight with no rust .

i've found a super nice 84 that has a running /driveing 4popper/auto . one owner never wheeled . that i can pick up for dirt cheap . friend bought from first owner and pulled the gears out of it for his xj .

would it be just as easy to put the v-8 in this xj as it would one that had a 4.0 in it ?

I seem to remember something about the 87-up having a little more room under the hood

Advanced Adapters (AA) discusses the differences between the "4.0L" years and the early-er years--pre-'87. They state the front clip is longer on the '87 and latter years. They also recommend that the "4.0L" clip should be installed on the early years when doing the V8 conversion. I have a SBC in my '88. Length-wise, I have plenty of room. I used the AA engine mounts to position my Chevy. The problem I ran into was width, and installing an appropriate radiator fore a V8. Good luck.

Novak Adapters suggests going with an 87 and up. There's a notch in the firewall to help clear the 4.0's added length that's just perfect for slipping a small-block GM's distributor into. All 87 and up have it, but before that you'd need to bang it out with a BFH, or cut it.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/xj_swap.htm

a pre-87 will work just fine.the only problem is the notch in the firewall that is missing like xjpheonix said. http://www.fototime.com/users/[email protected]/My20%pictures
not the greatest pics but they should give you an idea

i guess i'll be ok then . putting a ford smallblock in .