Repower or not

[Gsmith]

Being in Florida I'm not familiar with wheeling in hilly country, so I have to ask why it would be necessary to be able to shift faster than the stock transmission does.

Thanks, Glenn

[MasterYota]

Thanks for the input masteryota, I am still leaning toward the 225 slant six. The measuring tape and note pad will come into heavy play before a final decision is made. Normally mud is not my thing, tears up the area to much giving the eco nuts more ammo to shut us out of the driving areas, and is such a pain to clean up. I was thinking of a 283 chevy if I go v8 power. Small cubes = less tq = less breakage with still a vast improvement in rpm ability.

I wheeled my own M37 with the Flat 6 for a while, and the best upgrade from an engine repower, wasn't exactly from the engine, but the swap to a newer 4spd trans which was easier to shift. When wheeling in hilly country the ability to upshift or downshift faster can be a godsend. A good set of offroad tires will help alot as well, the NDT's are terrible.

The 230 6cyl makes about a 170 ftbs at 1200rpm. Any V8 will generate more torque, but, as pointed out, at a higher rpm. I ran a Gm 305 in mine, and never had any issues with breakage. Plus it was easier to come accross than the 283. If you still want a small displacement gm V8, consider the early 80's fullsize cars, they often had 267 v8's in them. They are cheap, easy to come by, and a newer Gm 2wd 4spd (SM465) bolts right up.

[Gsmith]

Based on your description of intended usage I would think the stock 230 would be fine. Low speed and reasonable low end power is what you would be looking for. I don't take my mine off road, but just driving it around makes me think it would do just fine for trail riding.

[Drew M.]

The stock 230 is awesome for rock crawling. It has lots of low rpm torque to pull through boulders at low speed unlike most V8's. I used mine at the Rausch Creek, PA SteelSoldiers.Com rally last year. it was mostly rock crawling - photos on the rally forum at SS.

I agree the 230 would not be good for slinging mud - based on it throwing rods and the broken axles should the tires suddenly get traction.

The 4bt would be a major improvement though - for the $$$.

[rush]

My own enjoyment leads to a repower with a newer engine. I would belive that wheeling in hilly country, with the threat of mud would necessitate an engine swap to something with more RPM capability. The lack of rpm band on the flathead is the real downfall, not its power output. I think you'd be quite happy with the Slant 6, or a small v8, whichever fits your budget or engine bay better.

The stock axles can be broken with the Flathead, so keep that in mind when coupled to your wheeling style when making an engine selection. If you're at all like me, you'll change your mind 15 ways from sunday untill you actually have parts on the floor, and tape measure in hand.

Good luck, and thanks for your service!

Thanks for the input masteryota, I am still leaning toward the 225 slant six. The measuring tape and note pad will come into heavy play before a final decision is made. Normally mud is not my thing, tears up the area to much giving the eco nuts more ammo to shut us out of the driving areas, and is such a pain to clean up. I was thinking of a 283 chevy if I go v8 power. Small cubes = less tq = less breakage with still a vast improvement in rpm ability.

[MasterYota]

My own enjoyment leads to a repower with a newer engine. I would belive that wheeling in hilly country, with the threat of mud would necessitate an engine swap to something with more RPM capability. The lack of rpm band on the flathead is the real downfall, not its power output. I think you'd be quite happy with the Slant 6, or a small v8, whichever fits your budget or engine bay better.

The stock axles can be broken with the Flathead, so keep that in mind when coupled to your wheeling style when making an engine selection. If you're at all like me, you'll change your mind 15 ways from sunday untill you actually have parts on the floor, and tape measure in hand.

Good luck, and thanks for your service!

[rush]

So I have lot's of time to think about my future M37 project, since Im stuck here in Irac for about another 6 month's. Originally I wanted to update to a little better performing engine perferably a slant six. A 4BT would be great but out of the question right now do to cost. However now I'm thinking twice about changing engines. The truck will normally be trailered to trail sites and will spend most of it's driving time below 25 mph wondering the mountain trails of the Cascades and central Oregon. This is my second M37, and I was not in a location to do any mountain trail riding with my first. I have allready purchased two sets of helitool brake kits, and would really like to get one of the ARB lockers while they are available. The truck will be getting power steering added also. So from the more experienced drivers of these trucks, more modern engine or not. Thanks