ThreeComanches

Ladies and gentlemen... the Alabama Turbo Diesel runs... kinda. On October 10th, I finally got everything buttoned up enough to crank it and it ran. However, it had a strange issue. The idle was abnormal and it wouldn't respond to the throttle. At all. With that, I thought it might be vacuum or fuel related. After looking through my 2.1 literature and doing some research online, I found my issue. Since the engine and pump were NOS, that meant the 30 year old fuel in the pump had gummed everything up and the metering sleeve was stuck over the relief valve. To get the metering sleeve to budge, I had to soak it in diesel fuel and some ATF. Upon getting it free and putting ATF on the plunger and sleeve, I put it all back together thinking that solved my issue. To my dismay, the problem still persisted. I finally found a shop an hour from me that specialized in the Bosch injector pumps. I took it there and they told me it needed a complete rebuild. It was not cheap either.

1986 Jeep Comanche Turbo Diesel 2.1 Renault J8S TD / AX5 5 Spd / 4X4, ratio unknown Build date: (unknown) Current location: Last I know, it was in Manitoba, Canada Status: Rusted in half but ran. I tried to buy it but someone beat me to it.

First order of business was to remove the old trashed 2.1 engine. With it being opened and exposed to the elements, it was seized up. Only hard part was getting the engine out with the aftermarket air shocks making the front of the truck raise up real high. I ended up pulling the header panel off so the oil pan wouldn't damage it. The engine i plan to put back in will be a 2.1. I have one out of a Cherokee TD but I'm unsure of the condition.

Hi all. With this truck being as rare as it is, I figured I'd share this unicorn with y'all. It isn't my main priority right now so updates might be far in between. She's a 1987 Base model Turbo Diesel. Yes, you read that right. From what I can gather, only about 3 factory 1987 diesels are know to exist (two are in the registry including this one). This one has been in MS it's whole life was was parked in 1995. I'm betting it ran hot. The guy tried to put a head gasket on, but gave up and left it in a carport. It would sit there until 2023 when the gentleman I bought it from rescued it. He had planned on 4.0 swapping it but never got to it. In February, I found it on Facebook marketplace. I made him an offer that he took. With that, I drove to MS and picked it up on February 17th. Once I got the truck, it ended up sitting for a bit because personal life had me occupied for most of the year. Just recently, I've finally got around to working on it. My end goal is to put it back as original as possible and preserve it.

Are you still looking for a starter motor? if so, I might have a spare I could part with.

Ladies and gentlemen... The new engine is in! I repeat, the new engine is in!

@eaglescout526I sure do appreciate that!

In the process of getting the new engine ready to install. The hardest parts to find were the intake & exhaust manifold gaskets. I ended up having to order them on eBay from the UK. I got ahold of a shop manual for the diesels so that should make this job easier. I salvaged many parts from another J8S I got ahold of back in May. Regarding the engine that was in it: turns out the block is the original. That's about the only original part about it. Everything else was salvaged from a LeSharo engine. I'm hoping I can have the truck running and driving before the end of October.

Ladies and gentlemen... the engine is out! Only took me about 10 days of work! Come next week, I'm going to start getting the new engine ready to install.

Now that you mention it, that's not a bad idea

I finally got a bay in the shop... With that being said, I got the transmission out in the first week. The top bellhousing bolt was a royal pain. With any luck, I should have the engine out within the week.

@SalvagedcircuitI know you said this a while back, but I can confirm this now. I bought around 100 original iMac computers in Franconia back in March!

About time for an update eh? Not a whole lot to say other than I finally towed the diesel to the automotive shop at the tech school I'm at. Let the engine swap commence!

1986 Jeep Comanche 2.8 V6 / Auto trans / 2WD / Dana 35 rear / LWB Build date: 11/85 Current location: North AL Status: Not running after sitting for years, will be a parts truck Current owner: myself Notes: A gentleman bought it new from Huntsville Dodge and drove it until around 10 years ago when he got a new truck. It sat since then. He recently sold it to a shop where i bought it. I'm going to use it for parts as the inside has been flooded many times from a busted windshield.

@devotee Gonna start on the engine swap soon. My tach does work either. I think they're connected to the alternator.

That someone would be me

@eaglescout526 Ahhh I see, no worries

@AMCyaLater It came from some place in Jackson MS. The place that sold the shell seems to have closed up. @eaglescout526 Build sheet, please?

1987 Jeep Comanche Turbo Diesel 2.1 Turbo Diesel / 5 Spd manual / Dana 35 rear axle / 2WD Build date: unknown (sticker was too faded to tell) Location: North AL Current owner: myself Notes: I bought this truck from Mississippi where it has been since 1991. I originally bought it to use for parts for the diesel I'm restoring. Motor is taken apart but I think I'm going to try to save it.

1992 Jeep Comanche Base 4.0L High Output / AW4 Automatic / 2WD / Dana 35 (3.55) / SWB Build Date: 9/91 Current Location: North AL Status: Running but undergoing some minor repairs. Current owner: myself

It is indeed an original TD. The motor in the truck just has a LeSharo top end.

After a 2,500 mile road trip to NH and back... I've got my hands on a BRAND NEW 2.1L Renault J8S-890 engine!

What kind of wheels are those? I have em but don't know much about them.

@acfortier I see, I'll definitely look into that. Thanks very much!

Shortly after that, one relay got real hot and started to smoke. Not sure what it's for but I removed it so it wouldn't damage anything else.