This is a build that will prob. take me a long time. I have had this 89 cherokee in my garage for almost a year. The jeep cought on fire under the hood after being stolen. We bought it from a friend for $200. The trans was supposed to have been rebuilt. Well, I got the head off and cleaned up a lot of the melted crap from the engine bay. Today I got some more time to mess with it. I removed the alt., starter, water pump and almost all the oil pan bolts. took the trac bar loose and the steering from the pitman arm. I am trying to decide if I want to rebuild the motor with it in its place or pull the block to rebuild and install the HO head.

Just the engine bay with a lot removed.


The nasty inside where the water pump goes.

 

 

I pulled the Crank Pulley, timing chain, Cam and Lifters. I had a video of the Chain to ask if it were worn out, but for some reason it will not play. Guess I'll just replace it. I pulled the motor to this point might as well replace it all. Almost just a bare block sitting there. Should I replace the Freeze Plugs?



Look as the rubber coming out of the Crank Pulley. Guess I need that new too.

 

 

You need to run a ridge reamer around each cylinder to get rid of the ridge. If you don't you risk breaking the new rings that your going to install. Doing as much work as you are it would be a crime not to replace the freeze plugs!

 

I do plan to do the freeze plugs too. Do you think I need to have it bored b/c of wear or is that normal and with the ridge gone the rings will seal fine.

 

The ridge in each cylinder is normal wear and tear, however if the ridge is much more than what will just catch your finger nail you will want to mic. the bores to ensure that they are within spec.---also when you order parts you need to make sure the diameter of your bores are still factory, and not oversize . You can measure them yourself or take your block to a machine shop and ask them to verify the bores for you.