So Im looking at getting a cheap beater xj and need some advice. Its a 91 with a 93 engine in it. Problem is dude says it needs a timing chain? but it runs drives ok to 45ish? Its a disco d30/d35,non abs, and will have an OME 2.5" lift after the 4.5" lift gets swapped out, so it has potential after some axle swaps. Could the timing chain issue be a noncompatible or bad sensor instead? He said he modified the harness to run the new engine but I havent heard it run yet so I dont know. Its my old engine that had 190k on it and ran when it was mine. Im getting the xj as a project regardless but could use some tips on the engine swap part. It comes with a spare block with a recent chain (will just need some gaskets to throw on the good engine?) If thats truely the issue I can swap the good timing chain parts from the 91 to the 93 motor right? Thanks

 

91 or 93 doesnt matter both are ho xj's
harness shouldn't of been modded.

90 was the last year of renix

 

Hmm, theres not one thing I can think of that you would need to modify in the harness to make a 93 xj engine go into a 91 xj. I put a 98 motor into my 91, only thing i changed was distributor, temp sensor, and oil sending unit.

Wait I take that back, I extended the cooling temp sensor wire from the back of the head up to the thermo stat housing. But in a 93, thats a non issue.

Sounds like you are walking into a rats nest, before messing with the timing chain (super rare for any problems to happen in there), check the distributor timing.

If it had a timing issue it wouldnt run ok to a certain speed and then mess up, it would be consistant. Maybe fuel pump? Check Pressure.

Keep us updated =D

 

How long has he ran it with no air filter?

 

Ok I was wrong he swapped sensor not spliced plug into harness. It hasnt been run without the air box its just torn apart from the swap. For $400 I dont really care as long as it drives lol. He says shop said the timing chain is "stretched" but it comes with a good condition used one.... I "found" a newer D30 and I have an extra 8.25 with it sooo I just need dude to swap out his lifts and I can drive the new money pit home and gut it.