Brand New To Me 1990 XJ (build and Question thread)

[wikun]

For my next installment

Ok, well it has been a while since I last posted anything of merit. I have weighed all of my options. And here is what I have come up with. I have actually lost sleep as to how I want to do this. Rebuilding and machining all cost lots of money. If you think about what you want out of the build then it starts to add up FAST. So after much searching and thinking. I have located a few long blocks with less than 75,000 miles on then. Yes they are old. Yes they were made in the same casting series as mine was. Yes they have not been machined. But this is my toy. That is what has been bothering me. Project Cheap Jeep should not be making me lose sleep. So I am going to buy a used engine this week.

Stay tuned for pictures of how this dice roll works out for me......:coffeedrink:

 

[timgr]

Ok, well it has been a while since I last posted anything of merit. I have weighed all of my options. And here is what I have come up with. I have actually lost sleep as to how I want to do this. Rebuilding and machining all cost lots of money. If you think about what you want out of the build then it starts to add up FAST. So after much searching and thinking. I have located a few long blocks with less than 75,000 miles on then. Yes they are old. Yes they were made in the same casting series as mine was. Yes they have not been machined. But this is my toy. That is what has been bothering me. Project Cheap Jeep should not be making me lose sleep. So I am going to buy a used engine this week.

Stay tuned for pictures of how this dice roll works out for me......:coffeedrink:

It's not used, it's seasoned.

A us... er, seasoned block from a running engine really is less risky than rebuilding the block you have. As I'm sure you understand, the used block will probably not last as long as a rebuilt block done right, but the 242/258 bottom end is both sturdy and durable. When well maintained, these engines often go 250K-300K miles before needing to be rebuilt.

Get a guarantee from the seller, and inspect the block as well as you can where you buy it, and even better when you get home. Look for cracks. Freshen it up as much as you feel comfortable with, put it together with new gaskets, core plugs, timing chain and gears, and run it. :smiley_drive:

 

[wikun]

Well, I made some progress on the Jeep. My job has been wishy washy so I am waiting to see what happens. Today I realized that I have a ton of small things to do while I am waiting to buy my engine. So after I spent darn near all morning mowing the lawn I started working on paint. I got the hood done. It isn't perfect but I am learning, so here it is...




Oh and by the way.....JIJI the Heep is going to be red.

 

[wikun]

Time to get back into the lime light. I have been saving and scrimping and now I finally have enough to begin the build. I put a deposit down with the engine builder today. I am pulling it on Saturday. I decided to go with Jacob's Engine Rebuilders here in National City, Ca. He has been in business for an amazingly long time with minimal changes to his setup. The youngest guy I saw working today was in his later 40's, not that there is anything wrong with that...(you older guys Anyway, before I sell his business anymore, onto what is happening..... :
1.) Complete long block rebuild
2.) Finish the suspension
3.) Replace the braking system with a "kit" from Hard Rock 4x4 here in San Diego
4.) Replace the rims and tires
5.) Cooling system upgrade

So....... Stay tuned and we will be updating with pictures...:wings:

 

[wikun]

Picturesssss

I have been on a lot of training trips recently and not to mention, when home I am internet lazy......

So the paint is rustoleum fire engine red. I am sanding the clear coat off with 300, washing then spraying coat one and then sanding with 800, then spraying on coat 2 and then letting off gas for 2 weeks and then washing and waxing. It is looking like glass. (Don't ming the front quarter panel, it is very dirty)

Notice something missing

Tranny picture one

Tranny picture two

And finally, I got that lift that I wanted, Unfortunately it won't last past the engine going back in...Oh well

The engine gets back from Jacob's Engine Rebuilding tomorrow. And Just a few hours ago, I purchased another 500 dollars in parts, so once they arrive, we are going to start assembling the engine. That I will be documenting, because I won't get dirty.

Stay Tuned....

 

[Socal4X4]

Looks like things are moving along...finally!!! Hope it all comes together as planned, keep us up to date.

 

[That One Guy]

Why won't the lift be staying?

 

[wikun]

With regards to the lift, I went with Up Country V8 GC coils. I netted only 1 3/4"s out of them, now with no engine, tranny, and transfer case, it gave me close to 3"s...almost.

James, ya things are moving along...I got almost a month of trips coming up real soon, so we'll see. I am trying to get as much as possible done before next week.

I am shooting for a mid summer shake down run. So we'll see what happens.

I got off of work to late to do anything. Tomorrow, tomorrow...

 

[wikun]

Here are some pictures of the engine. Today I got the 2 engine mounts, water pump, thermostat, and oil filter mount on. Turns out thought that the amount of bolts that went into the shop, is not the amount of bolts that came out of the shop. Damn it. Oh well, alot are getting replaced now and that isn't bad. The parts ferry showed up today with a 100 amp alternator, water pump, front and rear vacuum line replacement it. So we are making stuff happen.

Close up

My engine exploded in my yard!!!:Wow1:

 

[That One Guy]

Wow, that ain't much lift. Engine looks nice!:victory:

 

[wikun]

A little bit of new progress

So here is the new progress as of today. I got most of it back together. The intake mainfold and oil pump is at the mechanics today. The intake is getting hot tanked and cleaned out, and the oil pump is getting it's pickup tube pressed in. I am still on the hook for a new harmonic balancer, egr valve, o2 sensor cps sensor, and a few temp sensors. Other than those I should be good to go. Alright, without further adue...




I am going out of town on sunday, but should be back before July. So the engine will go back in then.

 

[wikun]

Finally

I finally have something to post. I tell you there aren't enough hours in the day for all this work. I admire the guys that have time to do it. But anyway, without a due'.....









It should be going back into the jeep this weekend I hope. :Mechanic:

 

[wikun]

Jeep's Heart Transplant successful!!!!!!!!

I will once again let the pictures do the talking...









The motor and tranny are in. Hardest part was getting the engine to sit perfect on it's motor mounts. I have lost the tranny crossmember bolts and nuts, so I am going to the junkyard to pull those along with tons of other stuff that I need to make this thing run. Good day today though.