Hi everyone I'm new here just got a jeep thought it was cheap but found out the engine is blown I want to get it running but have some questions
1 I have a 2.5 in it can I just put a 4.2 or 4.0
2 I have access to a chevy 350 can anyone tell what I would need to use that engine.
Thanks for the help I really need it.
Hammersaw  

P.S. guess I should of told you it was a jeep YJ 1990.  

The 2.5 uses the same bell housing bolt pattern as a GM 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4 V6. You will need to change bell housing and tranny to install a 4.0/4.2 as ax5 tranny will not last long with a 4.0/4.2 and a very short time with a 350  

Thanks for the info what tranny would you suggest and would you know if I could use the same radiator or not.  

what is your preference?...manual or auto, we can argue all year over which is better, I'd go with a gm700r4 auto even with the 4.0, a ax15 will do for the standard using a 4.0 and has held it's own behind mild to stock sbc's however is not advised.
for the 350 a larger capacity radiator will be required. the swap is fairly easy, depending on the deq (smog) restrictions where you live.  

hammersaw:
Thanks for the info what tranny would you suggest and would you know if I could use the same radiator or not.

I would use a AX15 or a newer NV3550 (not NV3500) which was used starting in 2001 as a bolt in replacement for AX15. SInce these are stock parts it would be easy to bolt in. You will need a 4.0/4.2 and a new bell housing and a ax15 or NV3550 to bolt to it. Also, the input spline to Tcase will likely be different (21 vs 23) so you will need to change input shaft to it or swap Tcase. Furthermore for what it is worth, the AMC 304 and 360 (not Dodge 360) has same bolt pattern as 4.0/4.2 so it would bolt to that style bell housing too. All these swaps use stock parts. BTW, I would upgrade radiator too.  

is the jeep gonna be a daily driver, four wheeler, or both? i'd answer that question first.  

I'm looking more into the manual tranny and since I've been looking at engines and can get the chevy 350 for the least money is there a tranny that will bolt right in because of course the money getting tight but since I want to go off road I need it to be strong but affordable.
Thanks Hammersaw  

For me I want It as a toy for 4 wheeling mainly  

then i would consider (as you are) a 350 with a nv 4500 behind it and a 203/205 doubler kit (as i've been advised). dont worry about emissions and just go for whatever set up you believe will make you the happiest. you have guys on these forums that will help with any tech stuff that pops up.  

No 350 is going to bolt right in but there are kits to do it. As far as tranny, you will have to use one that mates with chevy bell housing and then adapt it to Tcase then with a 350 you really need to upgrade axles too. If you are looking for a cheap relaible toy, I would suggest using a 4.0 or 4.2 as it would be easy and provide a very noticeable power boost without requiring a major tranny and axle upgrade too. Either a AX15 or NV3550 will play well behind those 6's and make for a reliable ride. Furthermore if you lift it a lot and run big tires, you do not need a V8 to make it go well, you just need to regear the axles as even a 2.5 can do well off road with the right gearing behind it.  

why couldn't he take the 350 he has and buy a tranny/transfer set up and run full widths from a chevy? i think a 12 bolt and d44 would do fine for that. i'm not sure about cost tho. i know he wants a cheap route so which would be cheaper?  

Then why not just buy a P/U then??? The Jeep is lighter and narrower and can get in tighter spots and with your suggestion it will gain a lot of weight and width and I have NEVER found extra weight and width to be a asset off road. Old Jeeps were cool because the were small and light and his is one of the last good ones with leafs in all 4 corners too before Chrysler civilized it to boost sales and morph Jeep into something that it was never meant to be. (the new Commander is little more than a Jeep style body and name plate on a modified Dodge Durango chassis with a Dodge power train too. I am a bit of a Jeep purist in that you should keep a Jeep a Jeep and when you start putting 350's and P/U axles in it, it is really no longer a Jeep. AMC actually offered a 304 V8 in a CJ in the later 70's so if you retro fitted a 304 it would still be a Jeep because that engine as in there before. I have a 79 J20 Jeep truck that I have owned for over 22 years now that I plan to restore one day. It is still 100% Jeep/AMC and complete too and it will be when it is restored too. It is "Jeep" thing.  

Thanks to all for the help I  think I made my choices a chevy 350 with a new tranny I plan on a 3" body lift and a 4" supension lift with 36" tires. I hope to here for all of you again if I need more help.
Thanks again Hammersaw  

if wider has no benefit why do i see so many jeeps running full width axles? the reason we call full width axles "full widths" is because it is so popular to swap them into narrow vehicles such as jeeps. you would also gain a ton of strength by using a d60 and 14 bolt. i dont think it adds a detrimental amount of weight either. in fact i think the pros out weigh the cons here.