mtnance

Since I know the day will come and it will take a while for funds/time to do, I want to investigate getting an engine ready to swap. I have the 96 4.0L engine.

In your opinion/experience, will I end up spending more to rebuild an engine found in a wrecked Jeep or scrap yard (Keeping in mind if the block isn't damaged) or would a crate engine be the way to go.

Barnette Engine's has a base engine for $1750 plus 375 core. Quadratec has ATK engine for $2500 (unk about core charge). AMC was $1555 plus $399 core. So there is a wide price difference here.

I don't see anyone selling a new engine.

scottmphoto

Unless the engine and assorted stuff is trashed, it's much cheaper to rebuild. Heck, it's even cheaper to stroke it than the prices that you posted.

highmileage

Last engine I rebuilt(350 Chevy) had a cost breakdown like this:
840 for machining and reassembly(short block), heads are included in this price.
I did all the dis-assembly and bolting up of the short block. This left room for me to buy an accel racing ignition, edelbrock square bore carb, Z-28 intake, hooker headers, borla exhaust, holly fuel pump and lots more. In the end I dropped about 1800 all total.
The point being rebuilding it yourself can allow for alot of breathing room.
When I had to replace the head on my XJ it was 160 for the whole she-bang at the machinist(and got it back in one day), to just buy one from the parts store was about 450 with a week wait.

XJriot

Find someone local to do the machining work for cash. You'll save like 75% over a quoted shop price. Most shops wont care about it either since they know word of mouth will bring more business.

That's how they operate where I work and around my area anyways. Hell there's a guy that gets free head work whenever he wants just because he has been coming there so long.

XJriot

Keep in mind this will most likely only work on smaller machine shops. The bigger ones are all about milking every penny.

highmileage

If you live in/near the country you might be able to get it all done for a full half beef

freegdr

Crate all the way ....they have these things called warranty . Schedule it correctly can be done on a weekend.

highmileage

All the machine shops I have ever dealt with also have those warranty things, usually 12k or 30k over 1 or 2 years. Some only carry a 30 or 60 day also.

XJriot

I'd do it for that in a heartbeat yep.

freegdr

Machine shop is same as crate build motor . Neither is self build as op original post asked.

freegdr

Ill rebuild a motor for 300.00 in my labor every day of the week.

highmileage

op said rebuild, which could quite possibly involve a "machine shop"..

mtnance

I hear ya,...the thing that concerns me a bit is starting with something that is buildable to begin with. I can get a used engine for roughly $225 or so, but most folks are "as is, where is", so it's a crap shoot. Since some of these used engines have been sitting for a period of time (and perhaps it's the blown engine as the reason), I figure having to machine it and probably machine rebuild the head as well. If that's upward to $400 and then the wiring and sensors (if bad, but who knows) new pistons, crank, etc. Seems that $1500 - $2000 might not be so bad. Even though I could save perhaps a few hundred, the time involved is worth some $.

Fred/N0AZZ

If it were me I would have your engine rebuilt for the main reason you know that it is a known "Good" motor and head which means a lot. Considering these engines can and do run over a quarter of a million miles much of the time the blocks and heads can be very worn or cracked (heads) then welded to repair you never know on a reman.

15 yrs ago most all the good Chevy 2 bolt blocks (the only ones strong enough to put splayed 4 bolt mains in) were gone, so had to go with new aftermarket (Dart) blocks. I suppose you could do that from Jeep but $$$$.

Using your engine with maybe a head from a "99" would be a bit of an upgrade for you and know you have a good rebuilder. Just know the shop you take it to, low bidders are just that. Ask for new name brand good parts not junk for the build a good builder will do the little extras that mean a lot in the end.

mtnance

That makes sense. Thing I am hoping to do though is to perhaps get an engine "ready" while the current one is being used, and maybe do it again. Then the goal is to find a Jeep that needs an engine and build a trail jeep, not a crawler, just a trail rider. The reason for a 2nd engine too is to get my son involved in helping do it, understand it and learn some skills (me too). With some work and ownership, he'll more likely take care of it. I know I did when I was in my teens.