Are the cam different between the 2?
Are the heads different between the 2? My brother in law has my old 76 Hornet Sportabout with a 232 and he wants to hop it up. It has a 232 and ran 12.13 in the 1/8 . A friend suggested a 2bbl from a 318 or 360 and I figured if the heads were diff and the 258s had bigger valves itd be better and shave it. Also if the 258 cam is bigger than that would be a plus. My B.I.L. said the heads are diff and the cams should be.(he hasnt wrenched much at all and thinks he knows more than he actually does but he's a good kid).
He also said the amc V8s all had different heads aswell. From what I saw at napa's web site the 232/258 have matching heads and cams and some of the V8s share heads aswell. I would like to knowso I can have more knoladge in my fat head Thanks

The AMC/Jeep 6 cylinder engines are all the same family; the 199, 232, 258, and 4.0L can share heads, cranks, rods, cam shafts. One popular build is to drop a 258 crank (longest stroke) into a 4.0L block (largest bore), use 258 rods and 4.0L pistons. If you wish to get a little spendy use 4.0L rods and get custom pistons. There are slight differences in heads, but nothing to make you have to go on a search for "the special" head, in other words use what you have.

Check out the Jeep forums for further info.

Build a big inch 6, and tell every one its a 232, they will never know the difference.

Have fun.

I know about the stroker 4.0 and the 232 and 258 being the same fam.I ment are they the Same head, valves and ports. He thinks the ports and valves are bigger. He originally want to do a stroker but doesnt seem to want to that bad. Ive offererd to hit the jy Many times to go get a 4.0. Heck my buddy has a 258 that he could of had for $75(my buddy owed him) that ran when pulled. But he passed and than wanted it later and my bud wanted $150 witch still isnt terrible because it has a stick bellhousing on it(his dad was trying to get it for nothing).