After 360,000 or so miles on the bullet-proof-4.0L, had to swap it out for a reman. Third day introducing it back onto the road; about five miles out from the shop, got the first "bucking!" and CHECK ENGINE code; right back to the shop; onto the diagnostic; apparently a TPS P0121 code; mechanic (who's worked on my XJs through the years and did this heart transplant) checked the TPS connection, reset the computer, patted me on the head with a "sometimes it takes a little while for things to get settled in" and sent me on my way . . . as he headed out for his weekend. Within not too many miles, other buckings and CHECK ENGINE light back on.

Stopped by my local NAPA guy who had his own shop for 30-some years; discussed; I told him that my instinct was that it was a fuel-feed interruption issue and perhaps the system was working at cleaning out fuel residue resulting from the rig having been in storage for three years before the new engine insert; he suggested a shot of Techron (?) into the fuel as a first step. When I checked whether the fuel injector system had also been replaced with the new engine, it looks that it was not (not at all sure there was wisdom behind my trusted mechanic's decision to just remount the original set . . . ?!); thinking to get that replaced shortly.

Within the first 120 miles on the road, the bucking has repeated numerous times; stopped by O'Reilly Auto Parts and had the diagnostic hooked in; result: Code P0121, indicating Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor 'A' electrical circuit was out of range or had a performance problem for a predetermined period of time."

Yesterday: Now on a shops-are-closed Saturday in Anacortes, Washington; stopped by a NAPA store, and noticed a Current & Classics shop across the street with the shop door open; went over, met the owner, after a very brief description from me got his diagnostic, came out hooked it up, went back into his office/computer, and handed me a stickynote with the TPS part ## written on it (kindness beyond, on his part!); I walked back over to the NAPA shop and bought the part. All of the discussions along this journey were that replacing the small part was very simple; went back to the hotel, did a www.search and learned that the job is, indeed, something I could do..

Today: Went out to replace the TPS unit; the existing one looked new, which puzzled me -- wondering if my mechanic had already put a new one on . . . Tried to remove the two T20s holding it in place, but could not get the driver to "set into" a torx-head; now thinking there must be a different-head bold/screw in there . . . reconnected the line connector, started the engine, turned around and started to slowly drive; engine died; tried to restart, nothing, feeling like the starter had disappeared; gave it a 10-sec breather, turned the key, and the engine fired up again; started again to drive, and it died again.

Decided I am now at the get-a-tow-to-a-shop tomorrow (Monday) and go from there.

THE POINT OF THIS POSTING: Anyone know to recommend a good Jeep-experienced mechanic in Anacortes or Oak Harbor/northern Whidbey Island? Would be very much appreciated as I had planned to only be up here this week.