kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Current project is an 89 MJ re-power due to a long list of head problems. GF bought "Ghostie" about ten years back for $800. Since then, it has had several head repairs, three head gaskets, too many oil leaks to manage... GF gave up, gave the jeep to my son. We found a '91 HO 4.0 engine cheap, and are currently in the process of rebuilding the swap engine. (most of it is at the machine shop right now) Master rebuild kit. Milling the head .020, boring .020 over. New pistons, rings, cam, lifters, rockers, timing,... the whole nine yards... Once the machine shop is done, We will build it at home. We could have gone cheaper, but we want's this engine to be "ours" ya know. While it's apart, we'll rebuild the 5 spd, and go with a performance clutch etc. New brakes all 'round, lots of wiring/electrical repair... Not really going for the full restore yet, but the drive train will be mostly new front to back. I'd post images, but I guess I need to make a photobucket page or something. Would be nice of the forum could just grab images from my PC...
HOrnbrod Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Welcome. Yes, you have to use an external host like Photobucket to post pictures here. Since you're transplanting a 91 HO engine into a Renix 89, which system are you going to use?
johnj92131 Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Current project is an 89 MJ re-power due to a long list of head problems. GF bought "Ghostie" about ten years back for $800. Since then, it has had several head repairs, three head gaskets, too many oil leaks to manage... GF gave up, gave the jeep to my son. We found a '91 HO 4.0 engine cheap, and are currently in the process of rebuilding the swap engine. (most of it is at the machine shop right now) Master rebuild kit. Milling the head .020, boring .020 over. New pistons, rings, cam, lifters, rockers, timing,... the whole nine yards... Once the machine shop is done, We will build it at home. We could have gone cheaper, but we want's this engine to be "ours" ya know. While it's apart, we'll rebuild the 5 spd, and go with a performance clutch etc. New brakes all 'round, lots of wiring/electrical repair... Not really going for the full restore yet, but the drive train will be mostly new front to back. I'd post images, but I guess I need to make a photobucket page or something. Would be nice of the forum could just grab images from my PC... Welcome! That will be a great learning project for both father and son. Taking the time to let your son do some of the work (and make mistakes) is really priceless. Please let me pass along some good advice I got not too long ago: Use www.imgur.com to host your pictures. Photobucket is a pain in the backside! imgur made it quite easy for me to post pictures.
kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 System? If I get what your asking, the dead engine was a 93, so we will be using the existing harness etc. Along with blowing head gaskets, it had developed a rod knock on #5, the cam/dist gear had a lot of wear... I'll know if the block is good once I can tear it down. if the block is good, I might build a stroker, but over all, I'm thinking it's probably pretty much toast. Not sure when the engine was swapped since that was done before my GF got the truck in 2006. Funny thing, I thought it was a Renix until the first head gasket went. Never seen an HO leak so bad. whoever did the swap did not do a good job of cleaning the gasket mating surfaces I guess. We're still in process of getting that greasy brick out of the truck so we can get the engine bay cleaned up and tuck some wiring for a better looking final install.
HOrnbrod Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Cool. Didn't know the dead engine was a 93 HO. Assumed it was the original 89 Renix engine.
kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 Found my old bucket account. Here are a few images... This is the one we are rebuilding as it was when we got it...
kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 "new" engine under belly during tear down.
kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 Head and crank, ready for machine shop... The head is getting a full rebuild, hard seats, guides, springs, grind, etc. As well as being milled .020 and surfaced to match the decked block. As the engine came apart, we inspected everything very closely under bright light with a magnifying glass. The block will be cleaned at the machine shop, magnafluxed, and bored .020 (very mild) All mating surfaces will be cleaned and milled as needed for perfect seal. When we build it, I will be cleaning up the intake and exhaust passages with the dremmel. (no one freak out, I have the skill and experience to do it right)
kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 Ghostie is the current project. Have owned a 67 Kaiser J3000, 89 XJ, 84 CJ-8 Scrambler, '05 TJ (built), 88 MJ, a Waggie or two... Right now we have the Ghostie MJ, and a 98 ZJ 5.9 At one time a few years ago we had seven on property in running driving condition with clear titles.. Had to scale back due to a move... Sadly...
kemaneseandra Posted March 21, 2017 Author Posted March 21, 2017 My son, in "think" mode, (old engine almost ready to yank) Can't really see it much, but all of the harness is disconnected, the grill and core support frame is all pulled and out of the way.
Roper Posted March 21, 2017 Posted March 21, 2017 Ghostie looks like a good base to start with and clearly your mechanical skills aren't lacking. Looking forward to what you do to the old girl.
kemaneseandra Posted March 22, 2017 Author Posted March 22, 2017 Paint is rough, there are a few dings and dents. That will all be fixed up next year, The engine and trans work are all we can do for now. Interior work is an ongoing project. Really need new bucket seats...
kemaneseandra Posted March 26, 2017 Author Posted March 26, 2017 Got the old engine and trans out today, Finally... Actual extraction was not to bad. Messy, but not too complicated. All in all, today it only took us about two hours to finish pulling it out, sorting the hardware and cleaning up the mess. Next will be engine bay cleaning and such, rebuilding the transmission, and getting alll the extra parts bits ready for when the new engine comes back from the machine shop.
kemaneseandra Posted March 28, 2017 Author Posted March 28, 2017 We will be getting rid of the old trans in favor of an AX15, replacing the exhaust manifold with headers, and updating the intake to the proper setup for the new engine. Seems the old owner re-used the renix stuff on an HO. No wonder it was so weak in the top end, A Renix TB on an engine designed for one 60mm and up. Go figure.
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