there is a lot of oportunities out there that is for sure,and if you think that is going to be the easiest way to go,go for it.now in my opinion you dont need high torqe starter to turn that engine over,stock is plenty strong and cheap.can you buy individual parts for that kit?
it might be something to look at.again this is my opinion and you do what you think is best. good luck with your project

 

I did not ask if the parts could be purchased seperately. I assumed the starter was included because the stock starter will not work with the adapter plate, I could be wrong....
Hey Vlado, do you have any pics of your motor mounts? I think your Wrangler is the same front subframe as a Cherokee, would really help me out since you have already done it.

Thanks,
John

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I brought the Jeep home last night. The trans is not a 700R4, I think it's an AW4. I need to check the data tag on the side of the trans. The engine bay is smaller than I thought, but I think the 617 will fit. I may need to remove the engine driven fan from the 617 and run an electric fan. The PO said the trans would not go in reverse. I got it to creep in reverse slightly ,so maybe it's a piece of dirt in the valve body or something. I will play around with it more this evening after work.

John

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Wrong again!!
After researching further, The trans is a TF6/A904, Chrysler OD. My buddy came over with his 2000 Cherokee with the 4.0. The engine bay dimensions are identical. If the front sump of the 617 will clear the sway bar, I think it will fit, but it will be tight. I never looked closely at a 4.0 Jeep before, that engine is stuffed in there!!! I still need to figure out a way to adapt the 904 trans to the 617. I am draining the fluid so I can check the trans filter. If it's clean, I will proabably drop the valve body and clean it out really good. You never know, I may get lucky.

John

 

Hello all,
Will a GM 700R4 bolt to my stock transfer case? If I decide to keep the Jeep four wheel drive, I will need to know which transmissions/transfer cases I can use. I don't really want to run an A904, I have had better luck with the 200/700R4 GM transmissions.

Thanks,
John

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Hello all,
I think my best bet is to rebuild the A904. I can get a full rebuild kit including the bands and steels for about $100.00 I have never rebuilt a trans before, but it's a gamble I am willing to take considering the price. I will probably just fab a plate between the 617 and the 904 similar to what Vlado did. The torque converter may need a plate as well, or maybe I can drill the 617 flexplate for the 904 TC. I think the 904 has a 10" converter. I will know more when I get the motor and trans out of the Jeep, which may be tonight. I will take measureaments and see how everything lines up. It will probably take more time, but save money, and all the shift linkages/kickdown etc.. is already in the Jeep. I will post pics when I start lining stuff up.

Regards,
John

 

Pulled the gasser out of the Jeep tonight. The bellhousing pattern is not that far off between the 2.8 and the 617. The torque converter on the 904 says W. Germany, and has German writing on it. I wonder if the torque converter off the Benz trans will fit the A904......
Probably not.... Here are a few pics

John

 

You asked for vlado's motor mounts ..... but here are mine ....

Driver side....


passenger side....


Yes they are offset from one side to the other ..... but engine is level and transfercase and transmission shifter poke thru floorboards strait ..... SO ; I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY ARE OFFSET ON THE FRAME RAILS I have a 1" daystar body lift and my Benz oil pan is 3/8 of inch off front Diff..... so I am gonna put a Rough Country 2 1/2 spring lift ( cause it is cheap ) and I want to run 33's any ways



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John ....

I have always been a Chrysler nut .... The 904 trans was used behind all 6 cyl cars and trucks and some of the 318 ( V8 ) engines there is nothin wrong with it if you rebuild it ; it will handle the power the Mercedes motor can put out !!! I even had a 904 behind a 375 horse power 360 engine I built in a 1969 Barracuda Convertible !!

What I am getting at is they have a history of reliability !!!

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Wanted to see what you thought of my " home-brew " cold air induction !!! It will do till I can put an intercooler or if I decide to route the piping under the battery and up the windshield for a snorkel !!

 

Your Jeep is looking good!

Thanks for the mount pics, that gives me an idea of what I need.

I will probably ditch the factory air cleaner as well, to clean up the
engine bay and flow more air. For the exhaust I will run a 2.5" pipe back
into a turbo muffler. I will take some more pics when I get the trans off the
back of the 617 and start lining things up with the 904.

Thanks again,
John

 

John ; in case you have not noticed ( LOL ) those engine mounts are about over-engineered 10 times stronger than the 575 lb engine need !!

 

They look pretty stout!
You will never have to worry about them failing. The stock 2.8 mounts hang pretty low into the engine bay, I may be able to use those with an additional plate to mount the Benz rubber isolators, I may just have to move them forward a few inches. After I fix the trans and get it back in the Jeep, I will lower the 617 down in to see where everything needs to be.

Thanks,
John

 

Hello,
I removed the flywheel from the OM617 yesterday. The Chrysler torque converter will work if I drill new holes in the Benz flywheel to match the Chrysler bolt pattern. Do you think drilling four holes in the flywheel will throw the balance off? I did not ,but wanted another opinion. You stick shifters had no problem, but the flywheels you used were probably pretty heavy. I also removed the bellhousing adapter plate off the back of the engine. Making a new plate should be pretty easy, I just need to measure how deep the converter sits in the trans so I know my plate thickness. I should be getting my tranny parts in a couple of days, then I can put the trans back together. I may look into getting a torque converter made also, may be easier and not super expensive.

Regards,
John

 

i personaly dont think by drilling holes you'll throw off your balance,and the 4 holes you drill will be in cross pattern too.i would make sure you drill the same depth if that is your concern and you should be fine.
also motor mounts on my jeep are simular as hulkgreens but not as heavy.i dont have any pics now on my computer but will get some for you.
good luck with your project