Out curiosity, I removed the freeze plugs on the blown engine to see what the backside looked like. I am contemplating replacing all of the freeze plugs on the replacement motor and wanted to see how bad the well water ones were. I was actually very surprised when I took the starter ring off the back and then the backing plate. I found a shiny metal freeze plug. I knocked them all out and was really surprised they were not all close to rusting through.
There was some crud buildup but I was able to scrape it off and they were all solid. I hit the backside with a flat blade screwdriver and hammer a few times to verify they were all solid and they were.
Now I am curious as to which one failed on my '99. We took it to the dealer to have the leaking freeze plug replaced and it was a bill for $3 for parts and $850 for labor. I'm guessing it was the one under the backing plate. but, after seeing two motors side by side and both having a pretty much pristine metal freeze plug, makes me wonder what causes the failure. I had kept up the coolant coolant changes on that '99 too. Guess I'll never know until I pull the motor on the 99 for a rebuild someday.
I am at the worst part of all projects like this, the cleaning. Just can't put all those nasty parts back on. Spent a good hour cleaning the timing cover, backing plate and flywheel inspection cover plate (that was nasty). decided to got with the blue/white checker pattern for Kentucky.
Timing chain and gears looked really good. When I took the timing chain cover off, the timing marker part was pretty clean so I'm guessing the timing chain was replaced already.
Pieced it all back together so I didn't forget how it all goes. Three different size nuts/bolts on the front.

 

I am officially at the best and worst part of a project like this. Getting the new transmission input seal tomorrow so that will take of the last piece needed before I can put the motor back in. the best and worst part of projects like these are when to stop cleaning and start putting things back together. Spent an hour cleaning the damn oil pan then primed it to get ready for blue paint. Also primed the timing chain cover. Painted the two brackets on the front of the motor. Then I start looking at the motor mounts, compressor/alternator brackets etc. Then I look at the motor mount points in the engine bay, then the rest of the engine bay.
Getting ready to start coaching spring AAU basketball so need to get this project done. Think I'll have to go with whatever I can get done by Saturday night so I can put it back in on Sunday. I think I can get the block done. started cleaning that. Just a PITA more than anything.

 

Getting through the painting. Got the timing cover done in checkerboard. Got a first coat on everything except the block. the block is my project for tomorrow. Will get a blue/white them on the valve cover and fan with most of the big brackets blue. Fun project and should look really cool when done. Ready to get this motor in and running.

 

That's just wrong.

 

You would have loved what I was going to do with a my little pony theme then. Lot's of pink and rainbows.

 

ROFL!


You could still do that on the valve cover....

 

I like it.

Great thread.

Thank you for all the great pictures.

 

Got all the materials for the My Little Pony valve cover theme. Will have a pony on the front of the valve cover with flowing rainbow on the top. Finishing touch will be cute mark on the back side of the valve cover. Too cold to paint today so just did prep work for paining the block. We keep alternating between 70+ degrees and 50 and below degrees. Killing me. Looks like it will warm up enough for me to get the rest of the painting done this week and get it all back in next weekend. Have a weekend off from basketball tournaments so really need it put back together next weekend. Hopefully I don't need to punch a hole in the hood to handle the my little pony figure. Then I can go and read threads about louvered hoods.....or not.

 

Finally got the block cleaned and painted. Pretty much done with paint except for the thermostat housing. Time to start reassembly and get this back together and running. Before anyone says they don't like my paint scheme: my jeep, my time, my paint scheme.

 

The horror!

 

That is why I posted my pics. Now that you have seen it, you cannot unsee it!

 

.... and kudos are due. Nice job!

 

I do like the blue, though....

 

Hah! That's awesome

 

I like the paint. Not sure why anybody would object to that.