ocs1667

I'm Looking at a 1990 2door 5speed 4X4. The body is in great shape, the interior needs help. The engine has one large knock though. I would like to know what is the latest model year Jeep, and or grand Cherokee 6 cylinder engine I can install that will not need any or very little adapting mechanically. I understand that the electronics will need some help, but hopefully I can get all that with the engine. Will my bell housing trans etc. mount right up to a latter model engine. Will my radiator also work or do I need to update that also.

I've spoken to some of those engine re-builders who will do just that, and re-install the whole thing for $1300.

I thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Dennis

CherokeeEnthusiast

Honestly you can rebuild that motor and put it in yourself and take it out for 600 and get a few extra hp gaining parts also.

zedpapa

to have an engine rebuilt and installed for 1300 is a pretty good deal. you can do it yourself for about half that if you have the ability. when i put the motor in mine it cost me about a 1000 with the motor costing me 600. the other 400 went to clutch, motor mounts, hoses, and other little things. try to get a written estimate showing all the things that will be included. i know when i do an engine, it gets all new tune parts, water pump, and hoses.

zedpapa

sv41878

I just dropped about $950 just in the motor, machine work eating about $650 of it.

ocs1667

Zedpapa, I noticed in your bio re. your Cherokee you have a 2002 eng. Did you have any issues with the instillation if you were involved with the engine upgrade.
Dennis

zedpapa

the 2002 block is different than an HO/Renix block. its about 1/2" wider, the water pump is different, the motor mounts are different and it uses a different accessory setup. i was able to use all the 89 accessories and manifolds and it runs good, getting 18-24 mpg. i had to drill and tap about 16 holes in the block to get the accessories to fit but the bosses were still on the block, which made it a little easier. the 89 distributor bolted in and worked. bell housing bolt pattern and flywheel went on no problem. all in all, it took me about 6 weeks of an hour or two here and there to get it installed. would i recommend this for a novice? no, but someone who is handy with hand tools shouldn't have a problem if they have some patience. would i do it again? absolutely, the lower end power on the newer 4.0 is just amazing. it pulls from 900 rpm and really scoots went i stand on it.

zedpapa

ocs1667

Thank you for getting back to me.

I'm wondering why you went with the earlier accessory set up vs the newer accessories and serpentine belt system which I guess would come with the engine, alternator, air compressor, power steering pump.

You also stated the use of the manifolds from the original engine. Why could you not use the newer intake manifold along with a later designed management system, along with the exhaust manifold.

Was there any difference in the radiator with regards to size or hose connections.

Did you have to fabricate the newer motor mounts or did you purchase stock ones off the shelf for the newer engine. Did you have to move them on the frame or did they mount up in the same place.

With regards to the transmission bolting right up I don't remember if you stated that your XJ is a 5-speed, if that's the case, sounds great.

Thanks again for all the insight.
Dennis

zedpapa

i went with the 89 accessories because money was tight and i already had them. also, the engine didn't have the accessories when i bought it.

i used the 89 manifolds because adapting everything to work with renix computer would have taken a long time. the injectors are different, fuel rail, throttle body, TPS and other stuff. also, the exhaust manifolds that came with my engine were the newer 2 piece ones. using those would have required redoing the exhaust.

the radiator is the same and i am still using the closed cooling system. however, i did build a tank from mild steel to replace the plastic one.

the motor mounts are still the 89 mounts but the brackets that bolt to the engine had to get a new hole drilled in them. that how i know the block is wider. only one bracket needed a hole, but i didn't know that. so, both brackets have an extra hole. the mounts are in the original location. one bracket needed a spacer to mount to the block, but the bolt holes were in the right spot.

i have a 5speed and was able to use the pugot trans until the input bearing failed. the input shaft has a different diameter on the end. it was not properly supported by the pilot bearing which caused the failure. i have since replaced that trans with a AX-15 which fits and functions perfectly.

one of the other reasons i went with all the 89 stuff is because i didn't want to have problem getting through a smog check. and unless you know what you are looking for, you can't tell this motor didn't come here.

zedpapa

ocs1667

Zedpapa, Thanks for all the updates, it all makes perfect sense. I'll try to update you on my journey.
Dennis