Questions about a 2.5 engine swap

[luckycamper]

Hey comanche club, last year my 2.5 went kaput. After weighing my options, I've decided the most straight forward move is to swap in a remanned. So I have some questions for you 2.5 guys. 

 

First, this is the engine I'm planning on going with: https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/DA27/10002/-1?year=1986&make=JEEP&model=COMANCHE&submodel=CUSTOM&engine=L4+(+2.5L+%2F+150+)#

 

My questions are:

 

1) What other parts would yall suggest to replace when I do the swap?  

-I'm thinking oil/filter, belts, hoses, possibly aluminum valve cover if I can get my hands on one.

-Any gaskets?(https://www.quadratec.com/products/51100_04.htm) Sensors? Really just talk to me like a noob because I haven't done an engine swap before and I'm not sure what other parts should accompany the swap beyond what I mentioned (*I'll be helping my mechanic friend with the work).

 

2) Any tips or things to be aware of that might hang things up? 

-I have all the manuals and it seems straight forward, but of course there's always a few fun little surprises!   

 

3) Does anyone know the exact size of the ISA screw (the screw that plugs into the isa and controls the idle)? 

 

4) Is there anything else to consider? Does this seem like the best option?

 

 

 

 

[cruiser54]

13 hours ago, luckycamper said:

Hey comanche club, last year my 2.5 went kaput. After weighing my options, I've decided the most straight forward move is to swap in a remanned. So I have some questions for you 2.5 guys. 

 

First, this is the engine I'm planning on going with: https://www.jegs.com/i/ATK-Engines/059/DA27/10002/-1?year=1986&make=JEEP&model=COMANCHE&submodel=CUSTOM&engine=L4+(+2.5L+%2F+150+)#

 

My questions are:

 

1) What other parts would yall suggest to replace when I do the swap?  

-I'm thinking oil/filter, belts, hoses, possibly aluminum valve cover if I can get my hands on one.

-Any gaskets?(https://www.quadratec.com/products/51100_04.htm) Sensors? Really just talk to me like a noob because I haven't done an engine swap before and I'm not sure what other parts should accompany the swap beyond what I mentioned (*I'll be helping my mechanic friend with the work).

 

2) Any tips or things to be aware of that might hang things up? 

-I have all the manuals and it seems straight forward, but of course there's always a few fun little surprises!   

 

3) Does anyone know the exact size of the ISA screw (the screw that plugs into the isa and controls the idle)? 

 

4) Is there anything else to consider? Does this seem like the best option?

 

 

could you remove your existing engine and have it rebuilt at a local machine shop?

 

 

[luckycamper]

Hey @cruiser54

That was one of my initial ideas but I don’t have the space right now to necessarily take that on. I can get away with doing a little work over the wknd but nothing too big. If I had a garage it’d be a different story.

 

[acfortier]

Personally, I think that's a lot of money to drop on a 2.5L. I'd probably try looking for a junkyard engine, if you can find one, or move to a 4.0L which will require a little bit of work to fit in your '86.

[Minuit]

I would agree that that's a lot of money for a 2.5, and I would also add that I have not heard great things about ATK. I would honestly try to go for a used running engine as long as I was able to hear it run, and then do a light refresh on it (gaskets, maybe a new timing chain) before putting it in. 2.5L guys would have the info on what donor vehicles you could use.

[luckycamper]

Yes it definitely is more money then I’d prefer to spend but I don’t see another option besides outright selling my truck. I don’t have the space to do any major work so I’m quite limited in that capacity.

 

I’ve researched swapping in a 4.0, as that was my original plan, but there’s a lot more to it than banging away at the firewall. 

[cruiser54]

too bad you couldn't pick up a used 2.5 and have it rebuilt locally. 

[acfortier]

4 hours ago, luckycamper said:

Yes it definitely is more money then I’d prefer to spend but I don’t see another option besides outright selling my truck. I don’t have the space to do any major work so I’m quite limited in that capacity.

 

I’ve researched swapping in a 4.0, as that was my original plan, but there’s a lot more to it than banging away at the firewall. 

Have you called around to see if there are any junkyard 2.5s avail? car-part.com lists a 2.5 in Kalispell, not sure how far you want to drive.

[Pete M]

you can use any 2.5L block.  right up to the end of XJ production.  don't limit yourself to the older ones.  

[luckycamper]

7 hours ago, acfortier said:

Have you called around to see if there are any junkyard 2.5s avail? car-part.com lists a 2.5 in Kalispell, not sure how far you want to drive.

 

I'll give them a call though the issue is still that I don't have the space to do any big work myself. So unless I can confirm it is in good running order, it's too big of a risk.

 

I may still try to see if I can find another running engine with some life left in it... 

[luckycamper]

9 hours ago, cruiser54 said:

too bad you couldn't pick up a used 2.5 and have it rebuilt locally. 

 

Challenging but not impossible...if I lived in a city, I would've already done that. Over the past 8 months I've called around and haven't found a shop that was able or willing to do it. 

 

5 hours ago, Pete M said:

you can use any 2.5L block.  right up to the end of XJ production.  don't limit yourself to the older ones.  

 

Good idea. Hmm, I'll look into this and what all I'd need to replace, besides the engine, to make it happen. 

Would just have to find one locally that I could verify that it runs.  

[Pete M]

um, if I remember right for swapping just the block, nothing.  it's simpler than even doing the same thing with 4.0s. 

[gogmorgo]

It’s a little bit of a hike away from you but there’s also a place up the flathead valley called Montana Overland that specializes in older Jeep stuff. Their website makes it seem like they might not handle much that’s new enough to have a 2.5, but they were pretty highly recommended to me to go look for MJ parts once. I didn’t end up there though cause it was a weekend and whatnot so I can’t really speak for what it’s like.