Had To... Engine Rebuild Time.

So, after adjusting everything known to man or beast, compression testing all cylinders, running more cleaners than Walmart sells through the engine. Even made an oil catch can out of a piece of garden hose, duct tape and an empty lucas oil bottle..... I decided to pull the trigger on an engine rebuild. The blow by, dead miss at idle, bad distributor, low compression, oil leaks front and rear mains, intake and blowing out the dipstick settled it. Hated not doing it myself, but sold all of my engine pulling/rebuilding tools years ago. So Roscoe is at the local jeep shop getting his heart rebuilt. Now I'm stuck having to drive my 64 baja for some nostalgic driving till he returns.

 

I've been going through a lot of this stuff you dump into a worn out engine to make it run like new...

 

Yep. Hopefully this rebuild will cut the cash flow under the hood a bit so I can open the cash flow on the suspension!

 

I keep looking at the price written on windshield of a 2015 JK 4-door at local used lot so I can feel good about the recent spending frenzy.

 

I had a 2013 JKU and couldn't stand it. Just seemed like no torque, underpowered and for the cost, no true amenities. 30k dollars should at least land a stereo system that sounds better than an am radio in a 56 chevy!

 

Can I ask what a rebuild costs these days? Are we talking a F head?

 

Right now we are looking at 2500.00. It's a 3.7l dauntless. The price covers reworking the heads, new valves, springs, lifters, cam, turning the crank, new pistons, all the rings and gaskets, water pump, oil pump and distributor.

 

Yep under-powered for sure, especially for the unlimited. But it is the 3.6's next to nothing torque below 1500 rpms that is really the problem off road, 76:1 crawl ratio not withstanding. The 3.6 will power you down the highway well at 80 mph. Several people I know installed 5.13 gears and that really helps off road but does nothing for the already pretty abysmal mileage on road. All that said, our 12 JKUR has done ok for a daily driver that still gets thrashed off road. At least ok after adding a lot of armor. The stock fuel tank protection is a joke.

 

Actually pretty close to that for my 304, too. Didnt need to grind a crank, but did upgrade to studded roller rockers.

 

That's about right. I had an even fire 231 done last year, it came in a little closer to 3k but I had to have some non stock stuff .
Take the flywheel and spend the couple hundred dollars to have the rotating assembly balanced.

 

My stuff is at balance right now, even though I'm figuring on rapture inside of five years. I'll leave behind a nice Jeep for you guys.

 

Waiting as patiently as possible. The fam and I are on vacation while the rebuild is going on back home. Everywhere I look I'm like....wish we brought Roscoe!

 

You mean a 225.

 

Ok, been busy so haven't had a chance to throw any updates out there. Finally got Roscoe back with the rebuilt engine. Oddfire engines seem to really throw people for a loop. When I got the jeep back, it would pop and misfire at about 3500 rpm. Smoked like an old train when you got on it (as much as one can get on a 49yr old jeep) and was over heating something fierce. Checked the gap on the points and all was well...then I checked the dwell. Way off. So re adjusted the dwell and leaned the carb out a bit. As of yesterday was still having problems with overheating (230-240 degrees pulling mountain pass at 55mph) burped the coolant system a few times and last night ran no more than about 210 at 75 and 80 on flat highway. Final price of entire deal...$4000.00. Engine rebuild, new distributor, new Speedo and matching up correct bolts to replace the 500 mismatched bolts the PO had used to keep Roscoe together. Makes me wish I had never gotten rid of all my engine rebuilding tools! On a side note, temps here are around 102 during the day so figuring that has alot to do with the higher engine temps.

 

I picked up a 225 ,all built new pistons, rods, valve train ,hardends seats,and it was balanced for $2k. broke the engine in last week, today is throw a tune on it

 

A friend here in Ca. recently had his V6 redone for $2200 including crank.

 

Ok. Finished up some minor adjustments and took Roscoe on a 70 road test. One of the places that was making him get way to hot was a miuntain pass with 9% grade at 55mph. Highest temp was 220 while maintaining 55mph. On level ground, 80mph caused about 215. Cruising at 65 or 70 the temps stayed around 200. This is doable...Now to tackle the wiper motor.