21st Sep 2002, 02:41

The 1996 JEEP Wagoneer is an awesome vehicle. As best as I can tell, mine still has the original engine and it's a strong running motor, even with numerous leaks. In fact, this vehicle has been severely abused by myself and possibly former owners and it comes back asking for more! A few years back when I replaced the u-joints on the drive shaft, I was surprised to learn that they were most likely the originals. Thirty-six years and running strong, long live Kaiser Willy's!

24th Mar 2005, 12:06

Good Day.

I just pulled a Vigilante 327 out of a 1966 Jeep J3000. Do you know anyone that wants it? I live in Washington State. Prefer local pick-up only. You may e-mail cade125@hotmail.com.

Thanks,

Josh.

25th Aug 2005, 13:45

My Grandpa bought a new 1966 jeep Wagoneer for our ranch. After sitting since 1985, we changed the fluids battery, fuel pump, plugs and a few other items and it started immediately. I just put $1,000 in the engine. It is all original and rust free. The original 327 AMC Vigilante runs well and it only has 60,000 original miles.

The interior is trashed, and now I am faced with the decision of dumping it or a major restoration, I am interested in any advice. Parts availability, etc. I would prefer an older CJ5... The dash is cracked and one door does not shut the body is mostly straight. IS this worth restoring? Does anyone have any recommendations or advice. I am not real mechanical, but should be able to pull the seats and do the carpet. I welcome any comments. If anyone is interested in buying this or a 4X4 trade let me know the rig is now in Idaho, but I may bring it back to So. Cal.

Thanks

Joe.

18th Nov 2005, 10:31

Parts for the GEN-1 AMC (250/287/327) can be hard to locate. Check with NAPA for general parts. Most will have to be ordered. There are several AMC vendors who can help, www.ramblerparts.com and www.blaserauto.com should be able to find most parts. Also check with Kanter (www.kanter.com). If the parts aren't listed on the website, call them -- they DO have the Rambler parts. Ask for 1966 Rambler 327 parts if they don't have a listing for Jeep.

This is a heavy, but tough engine. Forged crank and rods, slightly restrictive heads. Unfortunately there are no after-market speed parts. Most cam companies will regrind the stock cam for a little better power, but other than a good dual exhaust, that's about all you can do. The stock iron intake manifold is okay, and luckily has a standard Holley bolt pattern.

4th Dec 2005, 17:30

Hi B.J's Offroad has the floor pans for your Jeep. Also Egge.com has a master engine kit for the 327.

19th Feb 2006, 09:24

Anybody with an interest in the vehicles, or is in need of parts and help with tech, should visit the website where over 10,000 full size Jeep owner's meet at http://www.ifsja.org.

3rd May 2006, 00:58

My 327 Vigilante has the original 2 BBL Carb, (I believe it is a model 2209) I want to replace it with a Holley 4 bbl. (model 4160) Does anyone Know if this will bolt on to the original manifold or is that too small to support the 4 bbl? Even if the hole pattern is the same will the larger manifold support the additional air? Does anyone know of headers that will fit on this engine?

16th May 2006, 14:12

You'll need to find a 4-bbl. manifold. They were installed on a few Wagoneers and early sixty's Ramblers. I got mine a few years back for $100.

5th Jan 2007, 09:53

Headers By Ed can make header flanges. They are expensive, but he is the only one who will make them. You will have to fabricate the headers from there. www.headersbyed.com

I have an extra 4 barrel intake if anyone is interested. drmflyrpub@aol.com.

27th Jan 2007, 21:00

I had a cherokee limited loved it. Now I am interested in a 70's wagoneer limited or a 60's super wagoneer. Any one know what I can expect to pay (depending on condition)? Also availability (I imagine a super will be hard to find). any one have one for sale?

20th Jul 2007, 18:22

We have a 1966 Jeep Wagoneer that we need to restore and we are having trouble finding ANY parts for it... such as finding a radiator to fit it, etc. Maybe I just don't know where to look, but am getting really frustrated. Can anyone help me?

7th Nov 2007, 15:18

You should be able to get a radiator at any parts store. They remained basically unchanged until '91. You can also have your's recored.

I have a '69 Super Wagoneer (yes a super), but it has the Buick 350. The super is cool, but there is a major drawback. If the vinyl top leaks, water gets trapped and will rust out the roof. I may have to find a donor roof and weld it in.

17th Jun 2008, 12:40

Don't know if you are still looking for a radiator, but I bought an aluminum universal radiator from Summit!!! It's beautiful.

7th Aug 2008, 17:39

My father bought a 1967 Wagoneer new in the fall of 1966, shortly after I was born. It has the Vigilante 327 engine with 3 on the tree. He still owns it. It has over 340,000 miles on it.

The 327 is an awesome motor. The Buick 350 is awesome too!

I had a rusty 73 Wagoneer with over 200,000 miles on it. Someone had retired the 360 Quadratrac driveline and dropped in the Buick 350 driveline out of an older model. Awesome power!

I owned a 78 Wagon with 360 Quadratrac, then an 84 Grand Wagoneer with 360 Selectrac. Nice, but the smog rules those years hurt the 360's power wise.

I now own a 67 Wagoneer like my Dad's, but with an auto tranny. I did a lot of sheet metal repair, put NOS carpet. Interior is fair for the age, but driver's side of seat is shredded. I have kept it very original/stock.

Downsides to the early Wagoneers are the turning radius compared to the newer ones (front axle u-joints running in oil!) and the ball & trunion joint in the rear drive shaft (my dad replaced his with a u-joint).

Down sides to the 327 engine are availability of some parts (camshaft?), the troublesome Prestolite starter (Delco will hit the front driveshaft), and the exhaust manifolds like to crack. Also original fiber timing gear (crumbled at 40,000 miles) and some early models had the PCV valve plumbed backwards from the factory!

The starter problem has been cured on ours by eliminating the internal switch, and using an additional momentary switch and relays. Now the starter switch engages the solenoid that throws out the drive, and the added switch spins the starter. This Prestolite starter was only used on Jeep 327, and a certain old golf cart! Rambler cars used the Delco, I believe.

Parts can be found on eBay, BJ's Full Size Jeep, teamgrandwagoneer.com, Montana Overland, etc... keep looking, it's out there! Old Wagoneers rock!

9th Sep 2008, 16:01

Hello, I have a 66 Jeep Wagoneer and I am having problems with my rear axle. Can please someone contact me about this, thank you.

11th Feb 2009, 21:24

Own a '66 Wag. Been sitting last 12 years. New battery and an oil change and she fired right up! Now if only I could just get the rusted rear drum off. Old Kaiser-Willy's rock!

29th Jun 2011, 15:53

I have since dumped the troublesome Prestolite starter for a modern gear reduction starter from:

Automotive Electric Services

202 County Road 480

Negaunee, Mi 49866

906-475- 7772

906 475 0060 fax.

It works awesome and is smaller, so shifting the engine to remove or install (or removal of right manifold if using book method) is now unnecessary.

I highly recommend this as the Prestolite is now impossible to find parts for, expensive if you find a rebuilt one, and troublesome from day one. Most partshouses list the Delco (used on Rambler cars with 327) but its solenoid can interfere with front driveshaft.

1st Jun 2017, 22:56

You sir are my hero. Starter just died in my 66 gladiator and I have been looking everywhere. Random internet person, I owe you a beer!

23rd Sep 2018, 15:45

Glad I could help!