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Which Is The Best Amc Engine 4.0 L Rebuild Kit?


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Hi guys,I´m thinking to rebuild the engine of my Comanche.I would like to do it myself so I´m going to buy a rebuild kit .


Any idea about the best rebuild kit for the AMC 4.0 L engine?.I have found this in internet http://goo.gl/dkPU6  From my point of view looks ok,but I don´t know for sure is this good?

 

I´m not a expert mechanic but a friend of mine who is mechanical engineer will help me.I like challenges and give love to my Manche;)

 

Thanks for the advises

 

 

 

 

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The trick to a good kit is all in the brands of parts such as Melling and Felpro just to name a couple. Find out what brand gaskets they use, and then shop for price. Check out Summit Racing for decent prices and fast shipping. Also, i'm assuming you are going to use a machine shop???

 

Check with them on purchasing a kit. They usually only use the best if they care about their reputation.

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Like Jim said, you need to decide what (if any) you want to do on your own. If you don't have a good amount of experience, its best to let the shop do the work, and they may have thier own preference of kits. It is a "pay for what you get" situation...each seller of kits uses different components (usually depending on what kind of pricing deal they got). I buy all of my components individually, and the total kit cost comes up to about 900.00 - but they are MY preferences, and I have no doubt there will be disagreements. Add to that the one-time use stuff like sealers and cleaners, and then add the machine shop work (like magnafluxing, pressing out and installing wrist pins, planing the head, lapping valves, and (if necessary) boring the block - you can easily get to 1,200.00 per engine.

 

If you want to check prices in your area for my choices for the last rebuild I did (1999 4.0L):

 

Crankshaft Supply (Crank 39027)

Comp Cams (Cam part number varies)

Sealed Power (Federal Mogul) pistons (H825CP), moly rings (E234K), cam (1244M) and main bearings (7211M) , rod bearings (63310CPA) brass freeze plugs (3818084)

Fel Pro (Federal mogul) Permadry gaskets: head, oil pan, timing cover, front and rear main seals, valve cover, valve stem seals, thermostat; intake/exhaust

Melling oil pump

Clevite timing chain set

Permatex Ultra Slick 81950 (assembly lube)

Loctite 518 (rear main seal)

Loctite 565 (Head bolt #11, water pump inlet tube)

Loctite 598 Black RTV (timing cover and thermostat gasket)

 

NOTE: as Jim said - you MUST either have the diagnostic tools to measure and determine the condition and size of the cylinders and bearing surfaces or have someone who can BEFORE you order any kit or parts. Some of the parts listed above will depend on those measurements.

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Think about it this way. You just assembled your engine, and it is all painted up nice and new etc...

 

Then you start noticing a small drip under the engine at the bell housing. You soon realize you need to change out the RMS. So you have to purchase one along with a pan gasket. You just bought those seals twice...

 

Now the oil is leaking at the harmonic balancer and spraying the bottom of your engine. You purchase a new front cover seal and timing cover gasket, water pump gasket etc...

You just bought them all twice.

 

Ok, so now you are all set right? You are driving along, and the engine starts running crappy. You come to realize you have a bad head gasket. Guess what?

 

You get the idea? It's like buying tools. A lot cheaper to save up and do the job correctly the first time. Buy name brand gaskets, seals, rings and bearings.

Just my .02 

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Think about it this way. You just assembled your engine, and it is all painted up nice and new etc...

 

Then you start noticing a small drip under the engine at the bell housing. You soon realize you need to change out the RMS. So you have to purchase one along with a pan gasket. You just bought those seals twice...

 

Now the oil is leaking at the harmonic balancer and spraying the bottom of your engine. You purchase a new front cover seal and timing cover gasket, water pump gasket etc...

You just bought them all twice.

 

Ok, so now you are all set right? You are driving along, and the engine starts running crappy. You come to realize you have a bad head gasket. Guess what?

 

You get the idea? It's like buying tools. A lot cheaper to save up and do the job correctly the first time. Buy name brand gaskets, seals, rings and bearings.

Just my .02 

  :agree:   You definitely get what you pay for...

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Dan,

Choose your machine shop. Ask them how much for a rebuild kit. Ask them what brands they are going to use. Go online and shop those parts, and if the total is less than the machine shop, then ask them if they will price match. If it is just slightly less, then i'd leave it alone.

 

You are better off using the machine shop supplied parts. It is an act of spending your money locally. Always a good option.

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