Tried to start my truck one morning and it clanked and went dead. As I kept trying to crank it, the jeep finally tried to turn over but there was a really bad misfire and clanked dead again. I looked at the oil sump and found two dents from the inside, seems that the rods punched its way thru, coolant was also found dripping.
The motor is dead, i will be looking for a newer one later. It was gonna be replaced anyways with a stroker engine.
However i did find a transfer case to match the AX-15, its a 249 from a '94 ZJ and will serve me well in the future. Not many use full-time 4x4 with a stick!
The swap will be even easier now, i only have to do the engine, transmission, and transfer case at once. Only downside is having to get it towed to my work and finding time to do the swap.