Any write ups for changing a piston?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 4
From: Boone, NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Hey all, found a broken piston skirt in my oil pan yesterday. Cant tell if the cylinder is scratched or not. Not really sure exactly how to do this job but I know it's pretty intensive. I've been looking for a write up or something but haven't found a single thing. Anybody know of anyone thats done the job and wrote one?
BTW I know that ill have to take the piston somewhere to get pressed in and if the cylinder is scratched Ill have to find a way to bore it.
Also if anyone is in the Wilmington, NC area and know how to do this and wants to make a little cash, feel free to help me.
Thanks!
BTW I know that ill have to take the piston somewhere to get pressed in and if the cylinder is scratched Ill have to find a way to bore it.
Also if anyone is in the Wilmington, NC area and know how to do this and wants to make a little cash, feel free to help me.
Thanks!
Might want to make sure you don't have an ignition issue that wiped that slug. "Usually" pistons & rings are fitted to the bore, but if it's just a beater:
1. buy a standard bore
2. drive the wrist pin out & in
3. put the rings on it
4. slap it together
1. buy a standard bore
2. drive the wrist pin out & in
3. put the rings on it
4. slap it together
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 15,016
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From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
Not without pulling the entire crank. Usually, to swap a piston you want to have the oil pan off, pull the head, remove the connecting rod bolts and slide the piston out the top of the block. Re-install.
So, I was right about what you'd find in your oil pan?
So, I was right about what you'd find in your oil pan?
You don't need a writeup for that job - you need a service manual.
Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)
If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)
If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
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Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 4
From: Boone, NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Well crap, I bought a haynes haha. But ill look around for a factory one
CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,087
Likes: 256
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Originally Posted by 5-90
You don't need a writeup for that job - you need a service manual.
Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)
If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
Don't bother with Haynes, Chilton's is decent (and can usually be found for ~$20 locally.)
If you've got time, pillage eBay for a secondhand FSM - that's the best way to go.
CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,087
Likes: 256
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Originally Posted by 5-90
Figures. Who bought who?
I really miss the old Clymer manuals...
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 4
From: Boone, NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Yea i got a hold of a fsm. I have a couple questions though, every manual seems to say something different. Upon reinstalling my head, do i have to get a new head gasket if nothings wrong with the one i have and also when reinstalling the rockerarms, do i have to find tdc of the first one?
CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,087
Likes: 256
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Originally Posted by mattphillips90
Yea i got a hold of a fsm. I have a couple questions though, every manual seems to say something different. Upon reinstalling my head, do i have to get a new head gasket if nothings wrong with the one i have and also when reinstalling the rockerarms, do i have to find tdc of the first one?
Technically, you're supposed to rotate the crank till the tension is off of the rocker and tighten it to 19ft lbs.
Yea i got a hold of a fsm. I have a couple questions though, every manual seems to say something different. Upon reinstalling my head, do i have to get a new head gasket if nothings wrong with the one i have and also when reinstalling the rockerarms, do i have to find tdc of the first one?
I've heard that the MLS gaskets can stand one reuse, but I wouldn't do it. Cheaper and easier to replace the gasket than have to do the job over because a used gasket failed.
Don't forget that the cylinder head screws can only handle two full torque cycles (per FSM) on the 6-242. Paint the screws if they're not painted when you take them out, buy a new set if they're marked or you're not sure.
(Any bright colour of paint will do, and all you've got to do is mark the heads so you know next time.)



