engine left open... what do i do?
#1
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Location: New Mexico
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
engine left open... what do i do?
so i have recently bought a rebuilt engine that someone gave up on and left open. the only things that they left open was the spark plugs that weren't installed, the exhaust manifold wasn't installed, and the intake was...loosely installed as well as the valve cover. i have it out and on a stand right now. what should i do to clean it out? it hasnt been run since it was rebuilt. thanks!
Last edited by way2goidaho; 01-29-2015 at 12:16 PM.
#2
The main problem with a newly machined engine, if left open to the elements, is rust forming on bare metal surfaces.
The part that will give you the most problem would be rust formation on the cylinder walls.
If I were you, if you don't have access to a bore-scope (to look inside the spark plug holes) I would pull the head off.
If there is any rust on the inside of the cylinder walls, it will have to be pulled apart anyway, and at the very least re-honed.
If someone "Gave up" on it, there is no telling if it was even put together correctly in the first place.
Also look down inside all the intake and exhaust ports. see if you can see if any rust has formed on the valves, or in the ports.
If everything looks clean, and rust free, you might have gotten lucky and it will be just fine.
Hopefully whomever assembled the engine, coated the parts with the proper assembly lube internally.
The part that will give you the most problem would be rust formation on the cylinder walls.
If I were you, if you don't have access to a bore-scope (to look inside the spark plug holes) I would pull the head off.
If there is any rust on the inside of the cylinder walls, it will have to be pulled apart anyway, and at the very least re-honed.
If someone "Gave up" on it, there is no telling if it was even put together correctly in the first place.
Also look down inside all the intake and exhaust ports. see if you can see if any rust has formed on the valves, or in the ports.
If everything looks clean, and rust free, you might have gotten lucky and it will be just fine.
Hopefully whomever assembled the engine, coated the parts with the proper assembly lube internally.
#4
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
He gave up on it because he found out the the floor on the rest of the jeep was rusted through and didn't want to deal with it.he purchased the engine as a remanufactured, and being in New Mexico I don't foresee too much in the way of rust...it was under a hood the whole time. But checking for rust is probably a good idea. If anybody is living in the nm area and wants a shell of a 93 2 door with some rust issues, give me a holler haha it's got no tranny or engine
#5
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Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
I sure like the bore-scope idea. In your shoes, if I felt like gambling, I might fill all the cyl's with tyranny fluid, and rotate it by hand, repeat.
New motor already on a stand, I probably wouldn't gamble, I'd look or pull the head, too high stakes for my budget!
(A local plumber might have deal that could look in there?)
New motor already on a stand, I probably wouldn't gamble, I'd look or pull the head, too high stakes for my budget!
(A local plumber might have deal that could look in there?)
#6
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
You can pick up an inspection camera brand new for $80 at Home Depot. Harbor Freight has one for $90 that I think has a bigger screen. Go find a 20% off coupon out of the back of a hunting magazine, and that $90 becomes $72.
Once you have one, you'll find all sorts of other situations where you need it.
Once you have one, you'll find all sorts of other situations where you need it.
#7
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Before buying an inspection camera check the size of the extension for the camera. I did this a while back to check the inside of my Talon when the timing belt shifted two teeth. I got lucky no bent valves or damage to the pistons.
At that time harbor freight had two different styles of camera with different sizes for the camera wand. Only one of the two would fit through the spark plug hole.
Unfortunately it looks like the model I bought is no longer carried. The one I bought is a flat style, not the pistol grip style. I like it much better as I can set it to the side as a viewer while trying to reach a blind bolt.
Once you buy one you will find lots of other uses for it.
At that time harbor freight had two different styles of camera with different sizes for the camera wand. Only one of the two would fit through the spark plug hole.
Unfortunately it looks like the model I bought is no longer carried. The one I bought is a flat style, not the pistol grip style. I like it much better as I can set it to the side as a viewer while trying to reach a blind bolt.
Once you buy one you will find lots of other uses for it.
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#8
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Even if there's no rust there will be dust and likely bugs making homes in there. I would pull the head and oil pan while it's on a stand and easy to do. I'd also do a good cleaning on the intake and valve cover while they're off as well as the valve cover PCV baffle mod.
#9
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If that engine was left open it needs to go to a machine shop and possibly be torn apart and reassembled to make sure its all in good shape.
You wouldn't want to install an engine with new parts and have it screwed up to save a few bucks.
You wouldn't want to install an engine with new parts and have it screwed up to save a few bucks.
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