88Xj
Banned
Do you think the knock could be the torque converter bolts being slightly loose? Very very common & it sounds like a rod knock
Rebuilding an XJ 4.0--in Hemi Orange!
- Thread starter BuckeyeBullet
- Start date
Do you think the knock could be the torque converter bolts being slightly loose? Very very common & it sounds like a rod knock
BuckeyeBullet
Observer
Interesting idea, I never could find the torque spec for those bolts in the factory manual. Frustrated the heck out of me, and I don't remember what I tightened them to now. I did torque them but maybe only to 35-40lbs. Do you know what they're supposed to be?
88Xj
Banned
I'm not sure but I'll search. I would do a small tap of blue loctite as well..to keep em from backing out..but if you google it, its been a common occurance! Wish you have a video..would of saved you pull it all apart! Lets hope its those pesky *** bolts.
BuckeyeBullet
Observer
Well, it wasn't the torque converter bolts. I replaced the one rod bearing that had some babbitt issues even though it was still in spec (.002" clearance--what the fsm recommends). I also replaced the oil filter and the remote filter lines using AN hose. Don't have pics of that yet. I had some vintage aircraft hydraulic fittings that a friend had given me, and so far they are leak-free. I also made extra sure the block-to-firewall ground was clean and tight. When I started the Jeep again, no knock! The dash gauges were also happy and not doing crazy things, engine did not have a hesitation, and it ran really well. I think I had two things going on, a poor ground to the block, and that first oil filter I put on may have been damaged from the initial no-oil running. I would have liked a definite answer of what was causing the knock, but hey it's gone now. I put about 11mi on it since Monday night and I'm taking it to work tomorrow (60mi round trip).
I also started in earnest on the bumpers. I didn't get the front one done yet so I have the ugly stock one on there just to make it street legal for now. The rear is coming along nicely and is functional but not finished. Need to finish the ends, add some bracing, and add the hitch receiver and back-up light cut-outs. Yes it's rusty, it's a piece I found in the scrapyard for about 3 bucks. I built the mounts with gussets so they do not deflect, and welded them to the channel. Much easier to access the bolts than with the factory bumper brackets. The tapered ends I made by cutting some pie-slices out of the channel, bending it how I wanted, and welding the cuts back up. I can stand on it and bounce up and down and it's stable. I have a pair of Jeep front tow hooks and I'll probably bolt those to the bottoms of the bumper mounts. Cleaner and quieter than having D-rings dangling from the bumper, but probably not quite as strong. Whatever, it's a Jeep it won't get stuck right? ;-)
I also started in earnest on the bumpers. I didn't get the front one done yet so I have the ugly stock one on there just to make it street legal for now. The rear is coming along nicely and is functional but not finished. Need to finish the ends, add some bracing, and add the hitch receiver and back-up light cut-outs. Yes it's rusty, it's a piece I found in the scrapyard for about 3 bucks. I built the mounts with gussets so they do not deflect, and welded them to the channel. Much easier to access the bolts than with the factory bumper brackets. The tapered ends I made by cutting some pie-slices out of the channel, bending it how I wanted, and welding the cuts back up. I can stand on it and bounce up and down and it's stable. I have a pair of Jeep front tow hooks and I'll probably bolt those to the bottoms of the bumper mounts. Cleaner and quieter than having D-rings dangling from the bumper, but probably not quite as strong. Whatever, it's a Jeep it won't get stuck right? ;-)
97tjguzzy
Explorer
one word of advice if you plan to use that as a recovery point or towing point you will want to tie into the same nutserts you used for the skid plate as well. The 4 bolts on each side mount are just nuts welded to the thin sheetmetal. They will rip and crack the the metal over time.
BuckeyeBullet
Observer
Good advice. I saved the trailer hitch (aftermarket) that came with this Jeep in case I wanted to use the steel to make frame tie-ins for that bumper I'm building. I do want to use it for recovery. I'm putting a trailer hitch into the bumper itself although I don't intend to tow with it (for bicycle rack, receiver winch mount, etc). Good to see hard evidence of what happens. At the very least I'll find some way to install the recovery hooks to the frame rather than to the bumper. The hitch receiver will have a plate on the back of it that I will bolt through that rear crossmember and the crossmember will be strengthened with a plate where the hitch will bolt through. The crossmember isn't very strong I know but every little bit helps. I was also planning to extend the skid up to the bumper. Weld to the existing skid and bolt to the underside of the bumper. That makes the skid and its frame mounts part of the assembly, and helps keep the hitch out of the gas tank in a collision.
BuckeyeBullet
Observer
Welcome Cool Joe! For really detailed tech advice on the engines, I'd look at the NAXJA forums. Those guys are gurus on the old 4.0 motors. I made some mistakes with my build since I was new to Jeeps in general--don't want that happening to you! These engines are tough and pretty forgiving as I'm learning too which is good. Best advice I can give is buy the factory service manual for your year Jeep. The '01s like mine have a 5-volume set--the "big book" and some supplemental diagnostic stuff. The big book is the important one! Study it before you even tear your engine down, you'll appreciate that you did. They aren't cheap but very worth the money (I got mine on ebay). Have fun with it!
