When I acquired my Cherokee the bearing were down to the copper due to coolant in the oil from cracked head. I replaced the crankshaft with a kit from advanced autoparts. I also replaced the cam bearings and timing set as well as oil pump and lifters. I took it to an engine builder to have the cam bearings and freeze plugs put it as well as hone the cylinders. Total at the engine shop was $250. He checked all my rod bores too for out of round. I think total I had $750 in rebuilding the engine and pretty much have brand new running engine. I replaced anything with oil running through it due to bearing material in the engine.

 

The more I think about the more I think the rebuild might be the better option. Was thinking of looking for a machine shop to take a look at the block for damage. Haven't had a reason to look for a machine shop since I moved where i am at now

 

First thing I'd do is drop the oil pan and take a look. Might be one bearing, might be all of 'em, crank might be OK or might not and so on. You might be just fine replacing the spun bearing or you might be better off looking at a bottom end rebuild. Can't say without knowing what's there now.

 

Ok next question getting ready to pull the engine to put on the stand. Does anyone have a "work around" to get the torx bolts out on the tranny?

 

If the engine spun the bearings you can not just install new bearings. If the rods spun you need new rods, if the mains spun the block will need to be machined. With that said I would look at the bearings to confirm they spun. If they are just worn out then you can turn or polish the crank and put new bearings in. I dont know how the PO would know they spun unless he actually looked. If they are spun I would start with a used engine and rebuild that.

 

Thanks for advice. Been kind of pricing out a lot of options at this point. Dropped the pan and surprisingly everything looks good. So at this point not sure what to do. Going to try to meet up with PO to see what the symptoms were.

 

I drop the crossmember and let the rear down a little. Then you can get on them with a long extension and a u-joint. I dont remember the socket size but you can pick up a set at the parts store for not a lot of money. Its not bad to have them around as our jeeps have several torx bolts here and there. When you put it back together you can use regular bolts.

 

Good idea talking to the PO if he had a knock it may have been the flex plate not a rod. The flex plates are know to crack or come loose and make a knocking sound.

 

E12

 

I've only seen them in sockets do the come in wrenches?

 

If so anyone know who carries them?

 

Probably but I have never seen one. A socket is the way to go though.

 

Gearwrench makes an E10/E12 combo ratcheting wrench.

 

Ok found a good deal on a used engine. My question now is will the 4.0 i6 out of a 99 grand cherokee fit in my 97 cherokee?

 

I cant answer on the 97 engine because I dont know that much about all the 4.0 HO engines but what did you find on the bearing? Is it spun?