i bought a 1984 jeep pioneer for 500 with a blown engine. has brand new tire , muffler, and bunch of other stuff. has the orig. owners manual and tire cover ... i didnt have much time to look it over but its manual and 4x4... so my question is what do i do about the motor. should i call it an engine or ,...it has the 2.8

 

That engine (the 2.8) was a gutless turd. Youre better off swapping it for a 3.4 from a 93-95 Camaro or Firebird. Google "cherokee 2.8 to 3.4 swap". Plenty of hits.

 

motors are electric, the jeep has an engine. i would v8 swap it.

 

Another alternative: my original xj was '86 with 2.8L. Swapped in a 4.3L chev with 700r4.
The engine was from a 1985 chev astro workman van. This is important due to it being carbed in that year. Came with high rise intake manifold for torque (presumably) and factory headers.
Worked well for me. May be an option worth exploring.....

 

2.8L not a gutless turd, and they can be worked fairly easily.

 

Gotta 2nd Willys55 input. My original XJ 2.8L had a nasty knock in it when purchased (read: Cheap!!) and it ran for 6 months before blowing up. Was not half bad for those 6 months.

Each their own eh? Some people gotta have the big v8, next person is happy with the 4 banger/auto combo.