'86 short engine bay? 2.8

[gr8tires]

I've been following site off/on for years. With and without a MJ. But may buy an 86 w/auto, 4x4, and 2.8. I see recent threads that the engine bay is shorter than other years. Is that because of using the GM 2.8? Maybe I should just look for a 4 cyl or 4.0.......

anybody have one near Charlotte and want to receive some new tires as part of price??

 

[cruiser54]

I've been following site off/on for years. With and without a MJ. But may buy an 86 w/auto, 4x4, and 2.8. I see recent threads that the engine bay is shorter than other years. Is that because of using the GM 2.8? Maybe I should just look for a 4 cyl or 4.0.......

anybody have one near Charlotte and want to receive some new tires as part of price??

I've never seen this verified. 

 

And, my buddy put a 4.0 in his dad's 85 or 86 without massaging the firewall.......

[terrawombat]

I've got an 86 and 89 sitting side by side so I could verify this.  Although my 86 has the 2.1L diesel, not the 2.8L.

[cruiser54]

I've got an 86 and 89 sitting side by side so I could verify this.  Although my 86 has the 2.1L diesel, not the 2.8L.

Please do. 

[terrawombat]

Can do when I return home from the holiday. Post a reply to this thread to remind me if you don't hear anything by next week.

[Pete M]

the rumor is that the late 86 models had the 4.0 dent in preparation for the next year's engine.

[cruiser54]

the rumor is that the late 86 models had the 4.0 dent in preparation for the next year's engine.

Perhaps we'll get a production date and some measurements from someone.....

[shelbyluvv]

My 86 has no dent. It was made in 85.

[cruiser54]

My 86 has no dent. It was made in 85.

What month? 

[terrawombat]

What is this 4.0L dent that you speak of?  The off-center indent on the firewall? 

[cruiser54]

What is this 4.0L dent that you speak of?  The off-center indent on the firewall? 

I don't know. Not sure there is a firewall difference. 

[terrawombat]

I don't believe there is either.

[cruiser54]

Perhaps all the mods were done in the radiator support area.....

[terrawombat]

Perhaps. There are a ton of differences there. I can snap some pictures of my 86 but I think there are even more differences due to the diesel.

[cruiser54]

All my parted out XJs of early vintage are now cubes of steel somewhere. 

[shelbyluvv]

 

 

My 86 has no dent. It was made in 85.

What month?

August 85

 

The bump that is missing is about 3"x2" and will be right behind the valve cover.

[cruiser54]

Here's an 87 4.0 firewall pic:

 

Image Not Found

[shelbyluvv]

http://www.jeepkings.ca/forums/showthread.php?134666-Comanche-build

 

Read and see for yourselves. The early MJs have a different firewall. Any more information needed?

[terrawombat]

Got it - I see it now.

[cruiser54]

That's what I wanted to see. 

[MJ_Milam]

A customer at my shop has an 86 with a 2.8 and it had the fire wall indent. I checked to see because I heard there was a difference so I remembered to check but it looks the same as my 89.

[shelbyluvv]

A customer at my shop has an 86 with a 2.8 and it had the fire wall indent. I checked to see because I heard there was a difference so I remembered to check but it looks the same as my 89.

 

Unless you know what you are looking for you will not be able to see it with the engine in the truck. The bump is halfway down the firewall just above the bell housing. See the link in my previous post for pictures. (at the bottom of page 1)