I am in the process of rebuilding our I6 4.0 (now bored), and I wanted to know what was the easiest way to put everything back in, so I have some questions.

Could I get pistons, crank, head, flyweel, timing chain (and cover), and cam installed with the engine out, and then drop it in, connecting the transmission, bellhousing, and motormounts after its dropped in?

I'm worried about where exactly I would lift the engine from with all of this on; meaning should I put nuts on the head bolts with a chain and the cherrypicker?

Or is everything easier to just start with the stripped down block installed with crank and cam in?

I also broke the knock sensor I believe on the very bottom of the block. It takes over a 1 in wrench, And will the jeep run without it? I will get one down the line.

This may sound really confusing, but I would love some help, walking me through this. Its my second time btw, but I'm making sure I do it right

 

you need it assembled
you cant do that in the vehicle

 

I would put it back in as a whole motor with the head on. Theres a few places to bolt the chain on but don't tighten the bolt on the chain hard or else you can cause to much strain on that one link. As far as the knock sensor I've been running mine with a broken one for a couple years and had no problems.

 

alright, we have the crank, cam, pistons, and oil pump on. (not in vehicle) now we're going to put on flexplate and oil pan to drop it in, and leave head off for now, so we can get to all bolts and such ok.

What exactly does the knock sensor do on the 89? If I had engine knock, I would probably hear it right? Does the sensor kill the car when it senses knock?

Thanks for the help

 

It's much easier to install the head with the engine on a stand, instead of bending over the fenders. But that's JMO.

 

Yeah we could put the head on, but there are two star shaped bolts that connect the bellhousing to the block, which are a PITA to get back in and out, and with the head there, it would just become that much harder. I'm not worried about putting the head on after really.

Anyone know a good way to get these star bolts? we've been using like 4 extentions and a swivel thing with the right socket to get to it.

What about the knock sensor? If I don't install one what could happen?

 

The knock sensor is necessary for the computer to time your engine. It finds the vibrations from engine knock before they actually happen and then retard the timing just a little. It won't run right without it.

 

Dang alright. That might explain why I was having problems in the first place.
The thing was supposed to be torqued to like 100+ ft lbs, and we failed on doing that, so maybe that screwed things up a bit.

So definetley get one before I start the car back up again?