V6 in 1986 Comanche
#1
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
V6 in 1986 Comanche
I recently purchased a 1986 Comanche 4x4 with the v6 in it. I got someone else's project because the owner had restored the body top to bottom but hadn't reached the motor. It is a V6, 2.8 L. From what I'm reading online, people hate this motor and often swap it out. I might be doing just that since the motor needs to be rebuilt. Does anyone have an opinion on what is best and easiest engine to replace it with? I'm familiar with the 4.0 but a few online sources weren't pointing that direction. Thanks for the help.
#4
THE Admin
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lantana, Fl
Posts: 34,036
Received 231 Likes
on
187 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Have you seen this ? http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...Project_XJ.htm
#5
Seasoned Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the advise and link. I haven't established if the motor in it is complete junk or repairable without having to pull it. When I said I bought it recently, I meant yesterday haha. Going to trailer it home a few hours home tomorrow and get into it.
#6
::Regional Moderator::
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Over here...
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.8
I wheel a 2.8L XJ and honestly, it's not horrible, just different. If the motor is already cashed, just do the 3.4L swap for ease. Some minor points, the '86 2.8L is the large journal version, so it has the going for it. The alternator is up top, so while everyone is changing their fried 4.0L alts on the trail, you can play around in the puddles to kill time. The 2se carb does suck. I've stripped mine down to a bare bones version. I have a Holley Pro-jection setup I'm going to toss on mine till I get around to swapping my 3.4L. It's got some lower end grunt, but it's not fast, nor powerful. You have to wheel with your head more vs. the skinny peddle.
#7
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Alberta
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
had a 2.8 in my blazer, was a boat anchor ... had one in my fiero gt with MPI and it was a good motor with decent power. 3.4 is way nicer ... 3800 supercharged are nice as well and you can find em in JYs fairly easy
Trending Topics
#9
THE Admin
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lantana, Fl
Posts: 34,036
Received 231 Likes
on
187 Posts
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
I wheel a 2.8L XJ and honestly, it's not horrible, just different. If the motor is already cashed, just do the 3.4L swap for ease. Some minor points, the '86 2.8L is the large journal version, so it has the going for it. The alternator is up top, so while everyone is changing their fried 4.0L alts on the trail, you can play around in the puddles to kill time. The 2se carb does suck. I've stripped mine down to a bare bones version. I have a Holley Pro-jection setup I'm going to toss on mine till I get around to swapping my 3.4L. It's got some lower end grunt, but it's not fast, nor powerful. You have to wheel with your head more vs. the skinny peddle.
#10
CF Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
This is the info the OP should be looking for. Yes, the V6 is a little underpowered but will work. The 3.4L swap isn't done to gain more speed but rather for a motor that makes it power down low which is where you want yours to be off road. Ignore HP numbers and look at the TQ instead.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
FS[GreatLakes]: Aw4 Transmission 67xxx miles
JeepStephie99
Engines/Tranny/T-Case
14
11-19-2015 11:49 AM
1ATony
Vendor Showcase
0
09-24-2015 01:23 PM
DanO55
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
1
08-28-2015 07:16 PM
ROCKRIDGE 4WD
Vendor Showcase
0
08-28-2015 12:28 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)