Short Block Source

[AZJeff]

So after I changed the head on my engine (due to the famous "0331" head crack issue on my 2000 XJ engine), my engine has shown piston slap issues.   And my oil analysis reports from Blackstone Oil Labs confirm that, in spite of my decent oil pressure and decent compression, shows an abnormal amount of aluminum in the oil.  

 

I think one or more pistons are cocking in the bores and making racket.  (it's noticeable on hot restarts, or during the warm up period.)

 

My original plan was to build a stroker, but finding a decent crank and rods from a 258 is proving challenging, to say the least.

 

So "plan B' is to pursue getting a reman. short block for a 2000 4.0L.  (I have a NEW cylinder head from Clearwater, along with all new valve train, except the cam, on the engine, so I don't need a total reman. engine.)

 

I saw where "MABBCO Motors" out of Texas offers reman'd short blocks.  My question is...are they any good?   Can anyone recommend any OTHER sources for a competently built reman.?

[ghetdjc320]

Why not a junkyard short block and take it to the machine shop yourself? 

[cruiser54]

I like ^^^ that idea. 

[AZJeff]

My biggest issue is finding a suitable machine shop that isn't 50+ miles away.   They seem to be really few and far between here in the part of the Phoenix metro area in which I reside.

 

I DO like the idea of being in control of what goes into the block during rebuild, though.

[eaglescout526]

18 minutes ago, AZJeff said:

They seem to be really few and far between here in the part of the Phoenix metro area in which I reside.

That far from the engine rebuilders at 67th and belmont? Course I have heard they are backed up with engines to rebuild. 

[AZJeff]

On 6/2/2022 at 8:04 AM, eaglescout526 said:

That far from the engine rebuilders at 67th and belmont? Course I have heard they are backed up with engines to rebuild. 

That's 52 miles from where I live in Queen Creek.  

 

I am going to see what Stamps Automotive can do in Gilbert.   That's about 10 miles away

[eaglescout526]

1 hour ago, AZJeff said:

Queen Creek.

Ah. Yeah ain’t much out there sadly. At least you aren’t in AJ. 

[AZJeff]

So I found out my neighbor is buddies with a guy who has a race car machine shop, and might be able to do trustworthy work.

 

Now I am trying to find a rebuildable short block.  The search engines I found are TERRIBLE at showing what sort of inventory various junk yards have.

 

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good searchable database for a auto salvage yards?

[cruiser54]

There oughta be heaps of 2000 and 2001 Cherokee core motors around. 

[PIKE]

32 minutes ago, AZJeff said:

So I found out my neighbor is buddies with a guy who has a race car machine shop, and might be able to do trustworthy work.

 

Now I am trying to find a rebuildable short block.  The search engines I found are TERRIBLE at showing what sort of inventory various junk yards have.

 

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good searchable database for a auto salvage yards?

 

 

https://www.car-part.com/

[cruiser54]

I put some feelers out up here in Prescott. 

[AZJeff]

So far, my search using the recommended "car-part.com" shows the nearest short block that is suitable for build to be over in TEXAS

 

There are places closer that have a complete engine, but they are all suitable to drop in as is for a replacement, and they are $1000+

 

I certainly don't need a working engine to use as a basis for a rebuild of a short block, so I am really frustrated.

 

Given how ubiquitous the 4.0 was for so many years, I am having a REAL hard time believing there are not worn out engines in junkyards somewhere here in AZ.

[cruiser54]

Do a craigslist WANTED ad.