two4d

I've been on this site a few times in the past to find answers to some tech questions concerning my 98 Cherokee- each time successfully. Unfortunately, my daily driver Cherokee finally failed me. The motor (4.0L) sounds to have spun a rod bearing.

I got a good deal on the Jeep, so I'm debating whether it's worth it to keep and try to swap in a working motor or if I should try to sell it on here as a good shell? (body's in good shape, a few minor dents) or even take it to a Pull-A-Part?

Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

x91j

swap another 4.0 in. i made that mistake my my lifted zj and i regret it so much. you can pick up an engine from 150$-500$ it all depends but i would swap another one in for sure

Barren Bastion

Please do the swap! It would be a sad day for all Jeepers to see it go to the waste land for a mere heart transplant! You can do it! You won't regret it! Worst case find a new home for 'er. You've got a good vehicle there. Best of luck! Don't forget you can always ask for help, there are people out here for you!

Jamie2

Wow, where are you located. Might be worth keeping it.

Barren Bastion

I'm in Las Vegas. There are people all over the world that will give you help/advice/extra hand. Also just in the last 5 minutes I've found people looking for Jeeps like crazy. So go with your gut instinct!

two4d

I'm in Columbia, SC. Thanks for the replies. I'm a little torn at the moment. Like I said, I really didn't pay much for the vehicle...Is the 4.0L a pretty easy motor? I work on Nissans mostly- my track car/weekend car I know inside and out, but this is unfamiliar territory for me.

two4d

Where are these people?? haha... Really, I mean, like I said it's a daily driver/parts vehicle for me. If I can sell it to someone who really wants a Jeep to modify, etc..I think it would be a better home.

Barren Bastion

The 4.0 I6 is a very basic, strong engine. There isn't a lot of b.s. It's all in what you want to do. If you want to keep it and fix it up( time, money, energy, cuts and scrapes, money....ohh I said that already.... then some more money) then go for it. You can find people if you really look that have information and or friends you can buy some beer for or find people on this forum who live close to you that will help you out. However if that doesn't sound like the way to go you can also have a shop put one in/ pay someone to do it. If that isn't where you want to go at all then dump it. It all comes down to do you want to wheel or not? And how much money/time do you want to devote.

two4d

You're right. I guess really the point of this is to gauge how difficult the swap would be. I suppose if I can find the 4.0 for cheap enough I will go ahead with it.

Barren Bastion

Cool. Sounds like things are coming together for you. I'll keep an eye out for you.

Barren Bastion

The other possibility is to have your engine rebuilt. It may or may not be cheaper than a swap, but could be a viable option if another 4.0 isn't readily available. Also you would know the integrity of a rebuilt motor vs. a random used 4.0. Just a thought.

Barren Bastion

Ok I just found this info on a rebuild.

http://www.rebuiltautoengines.com/je...2-engines.html

yooper

If I were in your shoes I'd either rebuild or drop a new engine in (or drop a new one in so you can drive it while you stroke the old one). But if you decide you wanna sell, sell it here, that way it goes to a good home rather than rotting in a junkyard.

two4d

Thanks for the info Barren. That's a bit of a price tag on those things. Rebuilding wouldn't be a terrible option I don't think, if the bearings were all I had to replace, but I changed the valve cover gasket a few weeks ago and found a horrrrrrrible amount of engine sludge from, I assume, the previous owner's carelessness with the vehicle.

OverlandZJ

My parents live in Lexington. I may be interested in your Jeep, can you email me pics? PMing you the address.