My 1990 (and some pics of the old '87)

[1987Comanche]

This engine was horribly neglected for most of it's life. Based on the rust in the cylinder walls I think she was parked for an extended period of time before being resurrected (I bought her with electrical problems). It's amazing that I got 20K out of this engine.

 

I didn't see anything in the cylinder walls that explains piston #1:

 

Check out the rust:

 

The ridge was pretty bad as well:

 

Good and bad rod end caps side by side:

 

My old 4.0 off to it's new life as a coffee table!

[1987Comanche]

I stripped the cylinder head this week and scrapped it. It was rebuildable but would have needed a lot of work:

 

 

 

Also picked up a cool piece from a friend. It's a NOS Mopar MJ/XJ front end cover. I'll put the hood protector on after I find a nice hood at the jy:

[1987Comanche]

It looks like my MJ is turning into the never ending project. Reman engine #1 is defective. At 282 miles the cam bearings started to self-destruct.

 

 

I pulled reman engine #1 back out and swapped it for reman engine #2. I did, however, get the store to deliver the new engine to my house (no MJ, no way to pick it up)....

[1987Comanche]

Pulled reman motor #1 yesterday:

 

 

Maura waiting on reman engine #2

 

[92tanMJ]

I think Maura just wants a 98+ swap done in her! :yes:

[flint54]

Please warn us - who's reman engine was it? Something like that

at 282 miles would likely tempt me to request a refund, and shop

somewhere else.

[1987Comanche]

I think Maura just wants a 98+ swap done in her! :yes:

 

She probably does. I thought she'd be happy with a new engine, trans conversion to external slave, and perhaps a new hood...

 

 

 

It was an ATK engine. They supply reman engines to all the chains (I confirmed Advance, Auto Zone, O'Reilly, Pep Boys, Carquest, & NAPA) so the only way around them is Jasper or to rebuild a core locally. The parts store is working with me thus far...they agreed to pick up 1/2 the cost of the gaskets, etc that I need to do this project again. After engine #2 is in and runs I'll have to go after ATK for labor.

[1987Comanche]

Finished building up reman engine #2 and put her in yesterday.

 

 

 

 

I ended up having to pull the balancer so the clutch would clear the input shaft. It's in and I have a fair amount of the accessories bolted back on. Hopefully they did a better job this engine than the last POS...

[1987Comanche]

Started engine #2 first thing this morning and broke in the cam. Seems to run ok other than the rear main leaking like a sieve. Guess that will be my after Xmas project...

 

[collkid]

Wow. So replacing engines not always simple...

[1987Comanche]

Unfortunately no.  Even a year later the scab that was that POS ATK engine still hurts.  If I had to do it again I'd find a good jy motor or have it rebuilt locally.  Hopefully engine #2 held up better.  Biotex owns Maura now so perhaps he can chime in with a health/mileage update.