Rod tossin machine!

[Tiggers_YJ]

On my way to work this morning, my engine threw a rod. UGH! :sp_ahhh: I had it towed into my mechanic's shop over in Oak Cliff, and he handed me the bad news a lil bit ago. We are having a helluva time finding a good motor without a lot of miles on it. It's a little 2.5l. The closest used one that is under 100K miles is out of state.

Been doing some thinking and Googling, and came across the notion of swapping to a 4.0 engine. Some people say that besides welding new motor mounts, getting a radiator replacement, hoses, etc that it is pretty cut and dry. Thing is I thought that I read somewhere that the tranny and transfer case have to be swapped out as well; is that true? I'd love to go to a 4.0, but this is gonna cost me enough as is to get done with a 2.5. I did find a rebuilt 2.5 l long block for $900 with a 12 month/ 12K mile warranty.

Anyway some words of wisdom on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

[bug slayer]

i have heard the exact opposite.....never done it and have no idea but from what i have read most say that it just makes more sense to sell the 2.5 jeep and buy a 4.0. good luck. let us know how it goes.

[Dudeadam]

I have heard that you have to change a shaft in the tranny to make it work with the 4.0. I am in a similar spot. My 2.5 is shooting oil out of the dripstick. I have not done a compression test yet, but pretty sure a ring job, at least, is in my future.
So, now it is what do I do, like you. Been thinking about putting a 4.3 chevy in there or something else. I don't have the time or the cash, right now, to do much.

[Freak]

you will probably have to change the computer stuff too

[GoneOffTheDeepEnd]

The tranny is a 19 spline shaft and the 4.0 is a 21 spline input shaft

[Tiggers_YJ]

@GoneOffTheDeepEnd & Dudeadam - Yeah that is what I read. I just wanted to confirm this before dreaming of a simple swap.

@Dudeadam - yeah that part too.

Just heard back from my mechanic. This is GONNA cost me a fortune. :( He said I would be looking at upwards of $3500 to $4000 for parts and labor to put in a good remanufactured motor. He only deals with certain engine houses that he trusts for quality rebuilds. I asked him about City Motor, and he stopped doing business with them years ago, because they sold him a couple of bad motors, and tried to screw him out of the warranties. He sued them, and they paid him out right. So now I gotta look around more.

CRAP!:sp_ahhh:

[Muddin Dude]

maybe buy the one for 900 and find someone who will put it in for less than $3000. i have had good luck with citymotor but i have also heard a lot of bad stories about them too. really i would upgrade to a v6 or v8 if your talking a lot of money to spend

[muddyj]

$3500-$4000 for an engine swap with a rebuild on a 4 cylinder!?

That better come with a lot of KY Jelly cause his whole shop would be bending you over the counter on that one.

Check with some of our sponsors.

I know A/T Fabrication could get a new motor and swap it in for you

[75cj5]

$3500-$4000 for an engine swap with a rebuild on a 4 cylinder!?

That better come with a lot of KY Jelly cause his whole shop would be bending you over the counter on that one.

Check with some of our sponsors.

I know A/T Fabrication could get a new motor and swap it in for you

2nd that! WoW 4k for a motor install!! WoW :sp_ahhh:


Go with one of the sponsors.

I have bought 3 motors from city, installed all myself and all three are still going today. Just make sure you CLEAN and inspect everything (torques on cap and rods) on the motors before installation. Most of the troubles (from any motor rebuilder) comes from the installers not cleaning and doing a proper break in run. Both are critical to engine life. Installers just want to unwrapped the plastic and install and roll the car out as fast as possible and get the next one in.

Depending on your skill and time frame, you can get a used junkyard 2.5l and rebuild it yourself and install it as well. They are not hard motors to work on and parts are readily available.

Good luck to you.

[GoneOffTheDeepEnd]

4k for a V8 motor r&r is a little high. I think you need a new mechanic. I'll shoot you a pm with a price in the morning

[Ben E]

X2 on City, I have had them do the machining on two engines and bought two short blocks from them and never had any trouble.