Would you swap or rebuild?
#1
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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.
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.
#2
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Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
Plus, you can stroke it since you have the engine out.
#3
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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.
#6
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Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
#7
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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.
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#9
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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.
#10
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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.
#11
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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
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
#12
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L "Power Tech HO"
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.
#14
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
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
#15
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Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
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
299K EH? I'm at 272
I normally remove the hood
Last edited by DFlintstone; 02-07-2013 at 09:33 PM.