Engine "swarmed" today.

[Firemanray]

I haven't been around here for a while due to being really busy. (life, business, etc, etc). Those of you that know me, know I did a make over on the Xj last winter and gave it to my son when he got his license. Well he drove it to summer camp this week ( about 70 miles away) and on the way home this morning the engine let go. Not sure how bad it is yet but the crankcase is full of water, there's fresh oil in the exhaust and what little bit I can get it to run it sounds like a thrashing machine. Oh well, so it goes, we've never cut this poor thing any slack and it doesn't owe us a thing. Updates coming!

[4.3LXJ]

Good to hear from you Ray, but too bad about the engine. I just had thoughts going through my head about my own son trashing a motor. He actually managed to break the back of the block off once on a Ford 302.

[Mountain Goat]

Sounds like a good Father/Son project in your near future:thumbsup:

[Mudderoy]

I haven't been around here for a while due to being really busy. (life, business, etc, etc). Those of you that know me, know I did a make over on the Xj last winter and gave it to my son when he got his license. Well he drove it to summer camp this week ( about 70 miles away) and on the way home this morning the engine let go. Not sure how bad it is yet but the crankcase is full of water, there's fresh oil in the exhaust and what little bit I can get it to run it sounds like a thrashing machine. Oh well, so it goes, we've never cut this poor thing any slack and it doesn't owe us a thing. Updates coming!

WOW! This is worse than that "You got chocolate in my peanut butter!" thing!

[msmoorenburg]

if ya need parts i have a few laying around :)

[Firemanray]

if ya need parts i have a few laying around :)

Matt, will the engine out of the 88 I got from you fit the 98?

[msmoorenburg]

Matt, will the engine out of the 88 I got from you fit the 98?

its not a HO motor and the intake will need to be moved but yes it will. I have a solid short block call i'll explain more if ya like

[Firemanray]

All ears!!!

[Firemanray]

Woohoo, heading to Matt's shop to check out a power plant for the beast. I always like going there, he always has some kind of interesting, off the leash, project going on.

[bluedragon436]

I hope you guys are able to work something out to get the beast back up and under her own power!! I'm sure your son would like to have it back up and going as well... The summer is the best time to enjoy em out on the trails, especially when you are still in school during the rest of the year...

[Firemanray]

I finally had time to tear into the engine. We pulled the head and found a small issue with #6 cylinder:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/0709132030_zpsf72af7ce.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/0709132030_zpsf72af7ce.jpg.html)

Here's the head:
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd11/firemanray21/0709132031_zpsdec3e70f.jpg (http://s223.photobucket.com/user/firemanray21/media/0709132031_zpsdec3e70f.jpg.html)

NOTHING left to rebuild, ventilated the block and the head!! Thanks to Matt we've got something we can put together and get it back running again.

[Firemanray]

We're talking about getting a reman engine for the Xj. Does anyone have experience or recomendations as to what builder to use. Due to my very limited spare time I may have to go this route as opposed to rebuilding one myself. Opinions???

[Mudderoy]

We're talking about getting a reman engine for the Xj. Does anyone have experience or recomendations as to what builder to use. Due to my very limited spare time I may have to go this route as opposed to rebuilding one myself. Opinions???

I think OrangeXJ did that for his TJ, was it Thunderbolt Greg?

[OrangeXJ]

I think OrangeXJ did that for his TJ, was it Thunderbolt Greg?

yep it was Thunderbolt I got one for my son's xj and one for my tj. No problems with either one. 3 year 30,000 mile warrenty for about a grand. It's just a long block. You will need a rebuild able core for exchange. With out one I think it's around 1400

[Firemanray]

Today I finally had a chance to run the donated engine (Thanks again Matt!) to Thunderbolt Motors. We had a great time getting educated on the block and head casting numbers. These people seem very knowledgeable and friendly. He asked when I wanted it, I told him Saturday, he says come get it Saturday. I'll post the results as they come.