232 straight 6 motor

I posted this on the engine forum last night and received one reply. While I appreciate the response, I’m eager to hear from others about the 232 motor since I have no knowledge about it.

Is the 232 straight 6 a reliable motor?

Here’s the post from last night:

I’ve been eyeing this 1974 CJ5 parked a few miles from my place, wondering if the owners would be willing to sell it. I finally stopped by and spoke with the lady who owns it. She’s asking $2300 for it. She mentioned that she and her late husband bought it new in 1974. It’s got some rust on the floorboards and tailgate, as well as a few small dents on the rear quarter panels, but overall it seems pretty solid. The odometer shows 49000 miles, but she mentioned it needs a new cable, so it likely has a few more miles. Additionally, it hasn’t been registered for 3 years.

She mentioned her husband religiously changed the oil every 3000 miles.

The Jeep is equipped with a 232 engine and a 4-speed transmission. Can anyone provide information about this engine? Is it reliable, any known issues, longevity?

We’re just looking for a decent Jeep for casual hill driving, nothing extreme.

Also, does $2300 seem like a fair price? Thanks for any input.

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Getting advice from several people is a good idea before making a choice. Even if the 232 straight 6 engine has a good track record, be sure to learn about its peculiarities and frequent problems. When determining the CJ5’s worth, take into account things like its overall condition, corrosion, and maintenance history. Seek guidance from knowledgeable Jeep enthusiasts or mechanics.

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I initially had a 232 in my heep, and I beat the heck out of that thing, and it never once gave me any serious problems. Yes, it is a little less powerful than a 258, but slap on a hei and some other mods, and it sounds like it has a t-18 too…NICE