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If I lived closer I would come by and help. Have fun and post a lot of pics. Do a video when you fire it up the first time.
Its just a nice little road trip over here haha. I am actually going to see if my other half will build it. I am trying to get her more mechanically inclined and I think an engine build would be a nice little project. Of course I would be walking her through the whole thing to make sure nothing goes wrong. But yes pictures and videos will happen.
Also, verified with the machine shop that my short block stuff is ready and that means I am sending my driver there tomorrow to go pick it up. The head will be ready next week and thats fine cause I still have to order some more parts before the head can go on. And that reminds me too, I need a rear main seal before I can even get started! Guess ill pick one up tomorrow.
We are getting closer to having an engine! The short block is pretty much built. One of the rods is a bit tighter then I like so im going to send it back to the machine shop tomorrow and have them "massage" it. I ordered all the last remain little parts and they should be trickling in next week. My new head should also be here next week and thats the last thing I am waiting on. So if all goes well, I might have it up and running next weekend. I sure hope so.
I really want to rebuild a motor one day just looks awesome! LoL just not my current one ha ha unless it blows up on me.
Do it! Its a very good thing to learn how to do and its honestly not that difficult.
I got a little more done last night on the engine. Oil pump and main girdle are in. I got my last piston and rod back and installed as well. Not as much as I would like but I am waiting on more parts to come in. I need the timing chain and timing chain guide before I can go any further. If I had those two pieces, I could pretty much finish up everything besides putting the head on. And of course, tracking numbers say most parts wont be here until Friday.
Since I am halfway through the rebuild, I figured it would be a good time to do a parts and price list. This is a budget build so I want to actually keep track of what I have in it and to show everyone what a true engine rebuild cost. Also, all these parts came from either Ebay or Rockauto. I did not go through my work so everyone should be able to get the same prices by doing a little searching around.
$20 - Pair of motor mounts DEA A2572
$25 - Lifters Engine Tech L2011
$12 - Intake/exhaust gasket Felpro MS93094
$15 - Timing chain Melling 385
$5 - Timing chain guide OMIX 1745370
$22 - Head bolts Ebay CPW1441
$68 - Crank and rod bearings Clevite CB960A and MS1947A (Do not cheap out on bearings!)
$29 - Lower gasket kit Felpro CS8169-3 (this is for 99 and earlier. Different rear main seal for 00 and up)
$128 - Pistons and rings Ebay CPW3758
$12 - Champion copper spark plugs
$10 - Piston ring compressor OEM 27039
$0 - Machine work (bore, balance, cam bearings, surface, turn crank and piston swap)
$??? - New head (price unknown ATM. Waiting for machine shop to tell me)
$346 - Grand total so far
Missing from list is the head gasket, thermostat gasket and valve cover gasket. I had all them leftover from other gasket kits. This would also be a good time to replace the thermostat and radiator hoses. Mine look to be pretty new so I am leaving them in.
I know this step should be incredibly easy for most, but for some reason I am 0 for 2 Jeep engines now getting the timing chain and gear sprockets lined up correctly on the first attempt. The FSM explanation, in my opinion, is garbage, and pictures on the net make it seem so straight forward and simple. Either I keep ordering aftermarket replacement parts that don't look the same, or I'm just an idiot, but take my sorrows and experience and please spend a full day properly aligning and degree-ing your camshaft. I've been gutted each 4.0L/4.7L engine rebuild I've attempted with being 1 tooth off in either retarded or advanced timing. I could blame it on the aftermarket parts, or the CompCams grind being a little different or off, but what it boiled down to was me just being excited and too lazy to degree the cam properly and double check valve events.
This would also be an excellent time to verify TDC for Cyl #1 on the compression stroke for installing your distributor.
While you're waiting for your Friday shipment of parts, perhaps now is a good time to chase all your oil pan bolt threads with a tap or thread chaser and clean them out really well, and do the same for your head valve cover holes, and the timing cover oil pan bolt holes.
I know this step should be incredibly easy for most, but for some reason I am 0 for 2 Jeep engines now getting the timing chain and gear sprockets lined up correctly on the first attempt. The FSM explanation, in my opinion, is garbage, and pictures on the net make it seem so straight forward and simple. Either I keep ordering aftermarket replacement parts that don't look the same, or I'm just an idiot, but take my sorrows and experience and please spend a full day properly aligning and degree-ing your camshaft. I've been gutted each 4.0L/4.7L engine rebuild I've attempted with being 1 tooth off in either retarded or advanced timing. I could blame it on the aftermarket parts, or the CompCams grind being a little different or off, but what it boiled down to was me just being excited and too lazy to degree the cam properly and double check valve events.
This would also be an excellent time to verify TDC for Cyl #1 on the compression stroke for installing your distributor.
While you're waiting for your Friday shipment of parts, perhaps now is a good time to chase all your oil pan bolt threads with a tap or thread chaser and clean them out really well, and do the same for your head valve cover holes, and the timing cover oil pan bolt holes.
Like you said the cam timing should be pretty straight forward. Line up the 2 dots and call it a day. Its just like a small block Chevy. I dont have my new timing chain yet, so I cant quite do it. I am also reusing my stock cam so there should be no reason I need to degree it. I have had issues with aftermarket timing sets (especially the adjustable style) but never with factory stuff.
Yes, the distributor is getting installed before the head goes on so I know that its at true TDC. For some reason, I always seem to drop those things in 180° off haha.
I think the machine shop chased all the threads but I will definitely double check it, especially the head bolts. I am pretty sure they media blasted the block so there is a good chance of some junk being in the threads.
I think the machine shop chased all the threads but I will definitely double check it, especially the head bolts. I am pretty sure they media blasted the block so there is a good chance of some junk being in the threads.
My machine shop on the last 7.3L diesel build media blasted everything, and I spent many hours cleaning out all the grit. Sucked.
Like you said the cam timing should be pretty straight forward. Line up the 2 dots and call it a day. Its just like a small block Chevy. I dont have my new timing chain yet, so I cant quite do it. I am also reusing my stock cam so there should be no reason I need to degree it. I have had issues with aftermarket timing sets (especially the adjustable style) but never with factory stuff.
Yes, the distributor is getting installed before the head goes on so I know that its at true TDC. For some reason, I always seem to drop those things in 180° off haha.
I think the machine shop chased all the threads but I will definitely double check it, especially the head bolts. I am pretty sure they media blasted the block so there is a good chance of some junk being in the threads.
I remember this issue came up a couple years ago and it was discovered that they are selling replacement chain applications that have two different link counts. This turned out to be the problem some, myself included, were having in trying to line them up correctly. The one with the more link count will let it look like the marks are lined up but when in reality they are off one tooth either way.
Do it! Its a very good thing to learn how to do and its honestly not that difficult.
I actually find engine rebuilds to be therapeutic. I usually do an engine job once a month at work, and I enjoy it. Just something about tearing everything down, then going back together and hearing it run for the time... it's very rewarding
My machine shop on the last 7.3L diesel build media blasted everything, and I spent many hours cleaning out all the grit. Sucked.
I took a look down a few of the holes and they all look clean! I will take a better look tonight but I think its ready to go. My machine shop cleaned the block out pretty good I must say.
Originally Posted by Bugout4x4
I remember this issue came up a couple years ago and it was discovered that they are selling replacement chain applications that have two different link counts. This turned out to be the problem some, myself included, were having in trying to line them up correctly. The one with the more link count will let it look like the marks are lined up but when in reality they are off one tooth either way.
Ahh yes. That would do it. I got my timing chain in today so I will post my results later tonight. You know it really doesnt help that the cam is off to the side in the 4.0L. In a SBC, its right above the crank so there are no optical illusions if its centered or not (and the 2 gears are a lot closer to each other). Running a straight edge from the cam bolt to the center of the crank has always helped me when lining them up.
Originally Posted by MSizemore
I actually find engine rebuilds to be therapeutic. I usually do an engine job once a month at work, and I enjoy it. Just something about tearing everything down, then going back together and hearing it run for the time... it's very rewarding
Yes I 100% agree with that. There is something about it that just relaxes me. I used to get scared every time I would fire off a fresh build, thinking something bad was going to happen, but I have had a pretty good streak and it no longer worries me. But yes, the end result is very rewarding.
Ahh yes. That would do it. I got my timing chain in today so I will post my results later tonight. You know it really doesn't help that the cam is off to the side in the 4.0L. In a SBC, its right above the crank so there are no optical illusions if its centered or not (and the 2 gears are a lot closer to each other). Running a straight edge from the cam bolt to the center of the crank has always helped me when lining them up.
You know... Off and on over the last few months I have been trying to locate a source for precision engineering measurements on these and other engines. There very well could be a possible application swap for a timing gear set that might fit these correctly.
Originally Posted by 5-Speed
Yes I 100% agree with that. There is something about it that just relaxes me. I used to get scared every time I would fire off a fresh build, thinking something bad was going to happen, but I have had a pretty good streak and it no longer worries me. But yes, the end result is very rewarding.
Firing off a new engine you just built never gets old, each time is as exciting as the first time you ever did it. Getting back on the internet after moving is the same way, "Cool... it worked! I'm back on again!" It's always just as exciting as the first time you ever accessed the internet. lol
The deed has been done. That meaning the engine is in and running! I still have a lot more things to hook up and tighten down but at least had to fire it off last night to make sure all was good. Somehow I lost my thermostat in the past month (and couldnt find the other 2 I have laying around) so I put it all together without one. No big deal since I am flushing out the system anyways. Anyways, I ran it up until about 200° (fluctuating the RPMs between 1500-2500) and shut it off. Dont have the electric fan hooked up either haha. I should finish buttoning it up tonight so I can take it for a spin around the block. Got about another 20 min of cam break in to do and then its good to go! No leaks so far. It has about 40 psi oil pressure when cranking over and about 60 at idle (cold). Best of all, the engine is super quiet! So far, all good! Down side of putting it in yesterday, there was ridiculous wind all day and I was hoping my hood wasnt going to slam down on me. You can see the trees in the 3rd picture flopping sideways.
01-18-2018, 06:21 PM
Getting back on the internet after moving is the same way, "Cool... it worked! I'm back on again!" It's always just as exciting as the first time you ever accessed the internet. lol
