Hey guys, it's been a while. I have since sold my '95 Sport (long story), and yesterday i picked up another XJ. It's an '86 with the 2.8 and 4x4. I'll admit, i bought it on a whim because of another long story and didn't do my homework on pre-'90 (i think? pre-H.O and during the Renix era?). Now, as you guys know, this is a Carbureted model...and boy howdy...this thing is a handful. She has 213k miles on her and the sound of the motor shows it. It runs and drives good, but sounds like a ring went out. It has that 'old pickup' sound to it. I thought it was an exhaust leak, but after looking into it, i think it's just the sound of the internals getting old. Kind of a quick 'blap blap blap' sound. I was told it was a flange leaking, so i picked up a new gasket...turns out that the manifold to the down pipe is the traditional non-gasket style and the cat has been removed...so no need for the gasket.

I gave it an oil/filter change, carb clean-out, new air filter, and a good look-over underneath. No rust, but a steady oil leak coming from somewhere (it was dark). After all that, it seemed to run better when hot. After i let it cool down and started it back up, it was hesitant and sputtery. After i got it down the road and gave it some throttle, it ran better by the time i got back home.

It's got some type of lift on it and worn out Remington (wtf?) mud tires on it that are worn. The P.O. thought it was on pucks and add-a-leaf, but when i was under it, i didn't see pucks. It's definitely up 2 inches or so. Otherwise, it seems to run and drive OK for it's age.

I've got to say, i think it's a little more than i bargained for (hassle wise). I may sell it and try to get ahold of a H.O. model. I paid $1k and a Glock 27 for it (which i had $400 in), so i basically paid $1,400 for it. I don't fell like that's necessarily too much to pay, but if i were to do it over, i'd offer a little less.

 

I've seen those 2.8's run 300,000 + miles in clapped-out S-10s.

 

oh ya, i have no doubt. I'm not saying the motor is giving out, but it's definitely showing it's age. It cruises at 65mph nice and smooth.

 

Sounds a little pricey, but price is relative. I paid $75 for a 86 2.8 4x4 with a shot transmission earlier this summer. I used a couple body parts and junked the rest. Motor works perfectly Im told. I never bothered to even start it, haha.
Good luck with it. Had a S-15 with a 2.8 and it ran perfectly. Started immediatly, even in -30 and purred like a kitten.

 

haha sounds like a pretty good deal. yes, i agree i paid a little much for it, but around here, i could probably get at least that much back out of it.