Junder28 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Hey guys so I'm in a dilemma. I have put some serious money into my 1988 Comanche and the other day driving it home from work I blew the head gasket. After pricing out swapping in a remaned motor it is surprisingly more expensive than I anticipated. So my dilemma is to try and scrounge up the funds and swap a motor in or do I try and sell it as is and try and recover my money? It is a 1988 4.0 litre 4x4. I just put a full Rusty's suspension kit on it with adjustable control arms and brand new 33-12.5 15 tires and wheels on it. I currently have $6k in it and if I go to put a new motor in it ill have another 3ish k in it running it around 9k. If i do the swap my question is it worth 9k? If I don't what is it worth selling it in the current condition. Everything works well on it as far as AC/ heat manual trans, new 96 brake booster and master cylinder, new front brakes, braided steel brake lines ect. Also there is zero rust and the body is in fantastic shape. I just need some thoughts from you guys. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Well as far as everything, how mechanically inclined are you to do the head gasket? Much quicker and a cheaper job than swapping in a reman motor. That being said, when was the last time the head gasket did get changed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctxj93 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Wouldn't be anywhere near $3k to pull the head, send it out to get pressure tested/decked if you have the ability to do the work. If you wanted to get crazy, you could have them look the valves over while it was at the machine shop too. I got rid of an XJ when I was younger because it needed a headgasket and I've been kicking myself ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junder28 Posted February 15, 2021 Author Share Posted February 15, 2021 ive pulled the head off an 88 xj before and it wasn't terrible. I'm just way more limited on time now. I guess i could take my time and pull it and then send it off to be looked at. I have no idea if the head has been done before. I picked this thing up in October and have been tinkering with it ever since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglescout526 Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 Hmmm. Could easily be the original head gasket. Seems like a lot of the MJs and XJs that come back from the dead these days have the head gaskets failing from sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 I once pulled the head on a 96 4.0 and didn't even have to remove the intake/exhaust headers. mine wasn't just a blown gasket though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel Posted February 15, 2021 Share Posted February 15, 2021 I gave $5000 for mine a couple of years ago fixed a lot of little things, upgraded front control arms track bar etc. and drove it for awhile, never could get it to run quite right so finally did a compression check and found a couple of cylinders a little on the low side, decided to put in a reman engine, i figured I bought this thing to drive not as an investment. So I don't feel bad in the least about spending the money, with that being said I think yours is definitely worth at least putting in a head gasket. You won't be out that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 9 hours ago, Pete M said: I once pulled the head on a 96 4.0 and didn't even have to remove the intake/exhaust headers. mine wasn't just a blown gasket though. How did you do that??? Did you just lift it an inch or so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 9 hours ago, Junder28 said: ive pulled the head off an 88 xj before and it wasn't terrible. I'm just way more limited on time now. I guess i could take my time and pull it and then send it off to be looked at. I have no idea if the head has been done before. I picked this thing up in October and have been tinkering with it ever since. Would you keep it after you fix it or get rid of it? If your keeping it just take the head off and get it milled flat while it’s out. Maybe valve job and seals too if it’s original. Throw in a good MLS gasket like a Cometic or Mopar Performance gasket. If you just want to sell it then a gasket swap only I guess but no telling if you have any warpage that will blow it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 1 hour ago, ghetdjc320 said: How did you do that??? Did you just lift it an inch or so? disconnected the exhaust at the downpipe, undid all the fuel lines and wires, and picked the whole thing off the engine. just picking it up a couple inches showed me that the number 2 piston had disintegrated so I just yanked it the rest of the way off. but I've no doubt I could have swapped out a gasket assuming I didn't need to clean the steel much. where there's a will, there's a way. I do NOT like dealing with rusty header bolts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 51 minutes ago, Pete M said: disconnected the exhaust at the downpipe, undid all the fuel lines and wires, and picked the whole thing off the engine. just picking it up a couple inches showed me that the number 2 piston had disintegrated so I just yanked it the rest of the way off. but I've no doubt I could have swapped out a gasket assuming I didn't need to clean the steel much. where there's a will, there's a way. I do NOT like dealing with rusty header bolts! Gotcha. That makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 It is a 1988 4.0 litre 4x4. I just put a full Rusty's suspension kit on it with adjustable control arms and brand new 33-12.5 15 tires and wheels on it. I currently have $6k in it and if I go to put a new motor in it ill have another 3ish k in it running it around 9k. If i do the swap my question is it worth 9k? Probably not, but you never know. If I don't what is it worth selling it in the current condition. A 33-year old truck with a blown engine? IMHO it's worth maybe 2/3 of what you paid for the wheels and tires. To anyone who knows Jeeps, a Rusty's suspension kit doesn't add any value, and may reduce the value. Why don't you just put a head gasket in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junder28 Posted February 16, 2021 Author Share Posted February 16, 2021 Well I think now I will just attempt to put a new head gasket on it and go ahead and have the head reworked. I am surprised by the quality of Rustys parts after hearing people hate on them. One of the best riding lift kits I’ve had the chance to experience too. It was college most complete kit and it was a big step up from the stock parts for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse J Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 makes me want to get a new head gasket before mine goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89 MJ Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 5 minutes ago, Jesse J said: makes me want to get a new head gasket before mine goes Might as well get a rebuild kit and an AX-15 while you're at it--no sense in replacing the head gasket twice. I'd just wait and either swap it when you hit 400K with your rebuild or rebuild it when the head gasket goes out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse J Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Just now, 89 MJ said: Might as well get a rebuild kit and an AX-15 while you're at it--no sense in replacing the head gasket twice. I'd just wait and either swap it when you hit 400K with your rebuild or rebuild it when the head gasket goes out. smart. probably will do that. I have been meaning to get a valve cover gasket because it's pretty moist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Rustys suffered from quality issues early on (case in point I bought their 3" coils and track bar bracket in '05 and the coating was disintegrating within a couple months and gone within a year), but they have come a long way in recent years. back in the day they were outsourcing the springs (but the coatings were done in-house). not sure what they are doing now. I do like my spring rate. 1 hour ago, Junder28 said: I am surprised by the quality of Rustys parts after hearing people hate on them. One of the best riding lift kits I’ve had the chance to experience too. It was college most complete kit and it was a big step up from the stock parts for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87MJTIM Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 While the head is off, consider replacing the cam lifters. You can only replace them with the head off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75sv1 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 I've only had Rusty's trackbars. I have their OTK on an XJ. Decent stuff, but there is better. No rust, I'd try and keep it. MJs and XJ's with no rust are getting hard to find. I'd do as mentioned above and either try and replace the cyl head or have someone else do it. I'd also look at the pistons when you have the head off. Then evaluate the motor condition from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75sv1 Posted February 16, 2021 Share Posted February 16, 2021 Also, I don't know where you are pricing your motor. I would say $3K is about right for the box stores. I thought there was a Reman place that advertises on the net in SC, NC or GA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junder28 Posted February 17, 2021 Author Share Posted February 17, 2021 So i have 6 quotes on remanufactured motors and a couple installation quotes as well. No used motors but I was just as shocked. I figured I could get it done for 2-3k with install but nope. Cheapest remanufactured motor was ATK and Titan which was 2grand for motor with core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 they are super tough motors. I would try a new gasket before getting too crazy. after that, just about any year of 4.0 can work for you which should open up lots of used motors as an option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghetdjc320 Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 If you don’t have time to take the head to the machine shop and want a more turnkey install, just get a remanufactured head along with valve cover, thermostat housing and I take/exhaust gasket. Fairly straight forward driveway job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 2 hours ago, Pete M said: they are super tough motors. I would try a new gasket before getting too crazy. after that, just about any year of 4.0 can work for you which should open up lots of used motors as an option. Back around 1980, I was in a bind and I needed cheap transportation. I paid all of $50 for a clapped out 1968 AMC Javelin with a 232 c.i.d. 6-cylinder engine and a 3-speed manual shifter (on the steering column -- the proverbial "three on a tree"). It had been parked for a couple of years because the head gasket had blown. I pulled the head, gave it a quick check with a straightedge and it looked okay-ish, so I didn't even bother with a machine shop. I pulled the valves, cleaned them up a bit, and re-lapped them by hand with a suction cup and a small jar of lapping compound. The cylinders had had water/coolant sitting in them for two years, so they were nasty. I used a ridge reamer to cut out the carbon rings at the top of each cylinder, rotated the crank so I could clean out each bore with the piston at the bottom, then I used a cylinder hone to clean up the walls while each piston was at the bottom. I didn't even replace the rings. I slapped a new head gasket in it, torqued it down, and drove it for two years. I mention this because the AMC 232 is the same basic engine as the Jeep 4.0L. Pete said they are tough. He wasn't kidding. They are TOUGH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junder28 Posted February 18, 2021 Author Share Posted February 18, 2021 Wel I’m hoping this is the case that it’s just a blown head gasket from sitting and that there is no internal damage. It did not appear to overheat and I heard no abnormal engine noise other than the valves tapping when it was low on oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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