Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Would you swap or rebuild?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-06-2013, 11:27 PM
  #1  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default Would you swap or rebuild?

I have a 1995 4.0 H.0 with blow by I have already tore down most of the way. My lower end seems to be fine other than cylinder six had the blow-by. Most likely needs a bore so really would turn into a full rebuild. I can afford to do the rebuild but I have another option. OD reads 299K

other option
I was given a engine from an uncle that owns a small junk yard. (I have to go pull) He believes that the engine was in great shape other than it caught on fire (small) that only burned all the wires and such. I have taken some parts of this donor already and seems from looks that the engine should be good less than 150k miles. Donor is 2x4 and most likely wasn't abused from the looks. I plan on going tomorrow evening to check it out further Oil leakes freeze plugs and just general condition.

If I can save the money from doing the swap I can buy me a car Hauler which would come in real handy since most of our rides are 90 miles or so from home. what would you do?

What I have found from mine while tearing down.
Would you swap or rebuild?-2013-02-02_16-24-29_802.jpg

Would you swap or rebuild?-2013-02-02_16-48-48_27.jpg
Old 02-06-2013, 11:41 PM
  #2  
Seasoned Member
 
andecase's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: idaho falls, idaho
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Personally, I would swap it out. If the donor engine is free/cheep, and in good condition, it will save you a lot of money.

Plus, you can stroke it since you have the engine out.
Old 02-06-2013, 11:45 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by andecase
Personally, I would swap it out. If the donor engine is free/cheep, and in good condition, it will save you a lot of money.

Plus, you can stroke it since you have the engine out.
I was thinking something along those lines. Stroking the engine I pulled out of mine. Very slowly of course for money reasons. Gonna have a son at end of this month so I'm sure my toy budget is gonna shrink a little haha.
Old 02-06-2013, 11:46 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
KCXJKID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: In the Back Woods
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L "Power Tech HO"
Default

Ive had numerous XJs and never had blow by. Best bet would be a whole new heart. Good luck
Old 02-06-2013, 11:48 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Radi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 16 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by BatmanXJ
Gonna have a son at end of this month
Congratulations!
Old 02-06-2013, 11:56 PM
  #6  
Seasoned Member
 
andecase's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: idaho falls, idaho
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by BatmanXJ
I was thinking something along those lines. Stroking the engine I pulled out of mine. Very slowly of course for money reasons. Gonna have a son at end of this month so I'm sure my toy budget is gonna shrink a little haha.

Depending on how big you are going with your stroker, it's not that expensive (compared to other engine builds). This website has TONS of info on it. I'm personally wanting to go with the 4.7 medium-buck stoker.

http://www.ajeepthing.com/stroker-motor.html

I had a kid in September, they tend to do that, haha.
Old 02-07-2013, 12:03 AM
  #7  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Stroker isn't really on my radar right now. Getting her up and running for spring/summer rides is the most important. Don't really need striker for 31's 4.0 raw power is plenty for me.
Old 02-07-2013, 12:05 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by Radi

Congratulations!
Thanks. Its very exciting. 25th won't come fast enough lol. Sleepless nights on CF will be with reason for a few months haha.
Old 02-07-2013, 12:12 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
Radi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,302
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 16 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by BatmanXJ
Thanks. Its very exciting. 25th won't come fast enough lol. Sleepless nights on CF will be with reason for a few months haha.
When my sons were born 25+ years ago they wouldn't tell you if it was a boy or girl beforehand. We didn't know what color to paint the room, lol.
Since you are having a boy- know that someday your tools are going to disappear without a trace, lol. I did it to my dad, my sons do it to me....your day is coming.
Enjoy every day of it- the time goes fast and before you know it they are grown.
Old 02-07-2013, 01:06 AM
  #10  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by Radi

When my sons were born 25+ years ago they wouldn't tell you if it was a boy or girl beforehand. We didn't know what color to paint the room, lol.
Since you are having a boy- know that someday your tools are going to disappear without a trace, lol. I did it to my dad, my sons do it to me....your day is coming.
Enjoy every day of it- the time goes fast and before you know it they are grown.
I know that's right. While working on my jeep I noticed that I have several of my dads tools in my box here haha.
Old 02-07-2013, 10:19 AM
  #11  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Update:

So I went to the yard to inspect the donor motor further. Oil looked clean filter not as much. I think it had a from what I can tell a valve cover leak. The air filter was gone but tube looked clean from blow-by. It also had a few more miles than I thought but still young for a 4.0 175k. It is a 94. so It is an HO. I believe where I stand now is that I'm going to pull the motor and do further evaluation on it. I think the reason this jeep is here is from the small fire caused by some shotty wiring someone had done. Any Thoughts?

Pics of the donor
Would you swap or rebuild?-2013-02-07_09-27-27_769.jpg

Would you swap or rebuild?-2013-02-07_09-34-01_220.jpg

Would you swap or rebuild?-2013-02-07_09-35-02_36.jpg

Would you swap or rebuild?-2013-02-07_09-34-13_925.jpg
Old 02-07-2013, 10:30 AM
  #12  
Junior Member
 
KCXJKID's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: In the Back Woods
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L "Power Tech HO"
Default

IMO youd be better off swapping out the engine and resealing it. Good luck either way you go with it!

Last edited by KCXJKID; 02-07-2013 at 10:33 AM.
Old 02-07-2013, 02:00 PM
  #13  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Got my block out today. Stuff when u do this stuff by urself lol. Hardest part was pulling jeep into place. Proly not the safest way but I work with what I got.



Would you swap or rebuild?-forumrunner_20130207_140045.jpg



Would you swap or rebuild?-forumrunner_20130207_140030.jpg
Old 02-07-2013, 04:05 PM
  #14  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
BatmanXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hamburg AR
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Just replaced motor mounts last year and bother were damaged already. Glad I have a lifetime warranty. Alternator seems to be seized too. Which is weird because it was working when I parked it to pull engine. Not worried about it as there is another lifetime warranty lol
Old 02-07-2013, 09:30 PM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
DFlintstone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nor-Cal Coast
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

I've gotten good stuff from a burnt jeep. The fire didn't hurt the head and block! (this one anyway). Looking at the plugs of the doner might make sense. Any chance of any compression test there? Might help plenty..There are indeed gems in junk yards...usually before it's impounded, burnt, or crashed, nobody checked the engine first!

299K EH? I'm at 272

I normally remove the hood

Last edited by DFlintstone; 02-07-2013 at 09:33 PM.


Quick Reply: Would you swap or rebuild?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:53 AM.