Is it worth it?

Jpickups · 06-01-2009, 12:50 AM

Hey guys, since i don't know alot about these trucks I was wondering if you could help me out. I know a guy that has a 1966 gladiator, Its a thriftside and has hardly any rust. only thing is the 327 is not running, and I'm not a motor guy so I'll have to have someone else fix it. He wants $1500 for it. Is it worth it? I've heard parts are hard to find for the 327. Is there any other motor that wouldn't be a huge problem to slip in? I just think its a cool lookin' truck. Always wanted a thriftside gladiator. Thanks

cj7Sswampers · 06-01-2009, 07:35 AM

it depends on what you are doing with it. if you can get 1500 worth the travel, moving, or work, then youd make out.

Jpickups · 06-01-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj7Sswampers

it depends on what you are doing with it. if you can get 1500 worth the travel, moving, or work, then youd make out.

Well is the 327 worth rebuilding? Will I be able to get all the parts? I have no idea whats wrong with it right now and neither does the guy that owns it. All he says is " Me and a buddy brought it hom and had it runnin' a couple of times, but i just don't have the time for it now." I'll try offering him less if I do buy it. Thanks

iagmc · 06-01-2009, 12:26 PM

the body would have to be in amazing shape for that type of money and basically no engine.

Jpickups · 06-01-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iagmc

the body would have to be in amazing shape for that type of money and basically no engine.

What would you offer him? Also, what all would i have to do to put a 350 buick in it? Is it a big pain to do that?

**BJ's Off-Road** · 06-01-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jpickups

What would you offer him? Also, what all would i have to do to put a 350 buick in it? Is it a big pain to do that?

Not really since in 1969, 70 and 71 (maybe 1968 too), Jeep put a Buick 350 in these Jeeps. You would just have to find a donor for motor mounts and stuff.

Jpickups · 06-01-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BJ's Off-Road

Not really since in 1969, 70 and 71 (maybe 1968 too), Jeep put a Buick 350 in these Jeeps. You would just have to find a donor for motor mounts and stuff.

If I got the truck bought pretty cheap what should I do? Have someone fix the 327 or get a buick 350? Or what would you all do? please any and all opinions. Also, would i need to get a different tranny if I put the 350 in it? All i know is the 327 has a four speed. Thanks

**BJ's Off-Road** · 06-02-2009, 08:45 AM

The Buick 350's were usually backed with a TH400. It sounds like doing a swap would be the easiest for you. But it might be something as simple as a fuel pump to get the 327 running. If you post here, we can all try to walk you through it to get it running again.

**PavementPounder** · 06-02-2009, 09:51 AM

I don't think it would be too difficult for you to find a running 327 to swap in on IFSJA - especially since you are in the midwest. Then keep the current motor for spare parts.

Jpickups · 06-02-2009, 02:45 PM

Ok guys so I talked to the guy that has the truck again. He had it running but he couldn't get the points set right. Since I'm ignorant when it comes to some of this stuff could you help me? What the hell is he talking about? and is it worth trying to fix? Thanks alot guys

**PavementPounder** · 06-02-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jpickups

Ok guys so I talked to the guy that has the truck again. He had it running but he couldn't get the points set right. Since I'm ignorant when it comes to some of this stuff could you help me? What the hell is he talking about? and is it worth trying to fix? Thanks alot guys

Points are small, irritating, obsolete internal distributor parts. If that's all that's really wrong with the motor, its a minor issue. Unless you want to do a proper resto, you will be eliminating them anyway. Oh yes...You will be. You WILL be... [/sinister Yoda voice]

Jpickups · 06-02-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

Points are small, irritating, obsolete internal distributor parts. If that's all that's really wrong with the motor, its a minor issue. Unless you want to do a proper resto, you will be eliminating them anyway. Oh yes...You will be. You WILL be... [/sinister Yoda voice]

As I read on the IFSJA site, everyone over there says that the 327's are hard to get parts for. That is the only reason I thought about putting the buick 350 in there. Well that and I figure the 327 is going to have to be rebuilt eventually. So if the points are all thats wrong with it now, thats fine but when the motor needs to be rebuilt am I gonna be able to get everything i need? I just thought since they put buick 350's in em' for a few years it might not be a bad choice, and I know you can get parts for them easily. Thanks

iagmc · 06-02-2009, 05:05 PM

I would look very closely at "He had it running but he couldn't get the points set right." I ran in to this twice with a bad timing chain. when it is lose you will get the timing set and under load it will change. then the MAW start when you replace a chain........... As for your question on price. If the body is a good shape (surface rust) 1500 if there is rust and small holes 1000 tops average rust with good sized holes 500

Jpickups · 06-02-2009, 07:47 PM

Well, the guy raves over and over again on what good shape it is in. So it sounds like if i can get it bought for under 1000 I'll be doing ok. If I get it I'll give the 327 a try, but I just don't wanna put much money into having someone work on it if I can't get parts for it. Is this problem with the points an easy fix? Hey, would the 258 be ok in it? Thanks

**PavementPounder** · 06-03-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jpickups

Well, the guy raves over and over again on what good shape it is in. So it sounds like if i can get it bought for under 1000 I'll be doing ok. If I get it I'll give the 327 a try, but I just don't wanna put much money into having someone work on it if I can't get parts for it. Is this problem with the points an easy fix? Hey, would the 258 be ok in it? Thanks

Yes, the points are easy to fix. you fix it by buying a kit to eliminate them, or you change the distributor to an HEI, etc.

Are you TJR on IFSJA? The 258 would be a pain in the ***.

327 parts aren't hard to find. You just have to buy an entire motor for like a couple hundred.

Sometimes people give them away.

06-02-2009, 09:51 AM	#9
PavementPounder Cool as Ice... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sterling Heights, Michigan Posts: 2,727 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I don't think it would be too difficult for you to find a running 327 to swap in on IFSJA - especially since you are in the midwest. Then keep the current motor for spare parts. __________________ This is how NAXJA Midwest Chapter elected officials like to treat their resident users and former multi-year supporters. <--- Click "Classifieds" under my avatar to see all my parts (mostly CJ & XJ) currently for sale on JeepForum!

06-02-2009, 07:47 PM	#14
Jpickups Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: midwest Posts: 9 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well, the guy raves over and over again on what good shape it is in. So it sounds like if i can get it bought for under 1000 I'll be doing ok. If I get it I'll give the 327 a try, but I just don't wanna put much money into having someone work on it if I can't get parts for it. Is this problem with the points an easy fix? Hey, would the 258 be ok in it? Thanks Last edited by Jpickups; 06-02-2009 at 09:42 PM..

06-02-2009, 02:45 PM	#10
Jpickups Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: midwest Posts: 9 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Ok guys so I talked to the guy that has the truck again. He had it running but he couldn't get the points set right. Since I'm ignorant when it comes to some of this stuff could you help me? What the hell is he talking about? and is it worth trying to fix? Thanks alot guys