Jim Smith

I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the
135,000 the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt.
Now my question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb
engine, it has issues in the bottom half of the engine.

So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
computer into the 90 YJ?

Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?

What do you think?


Thanks!
Jim Smith

Bret Ludwig

Jim Smith wrote:
> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
> cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the
> 135,000 the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt.
> Now my question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb
> engine, it has issues in the bottom half of the engine.
>
> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
> computer into the 90 YJ?
>
> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
> tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?

In most states that have I/M or testing programs there is a rule that
gasoline burning engines must be of the same year or newer as the
chassis. So technically you would have a problem.

Perhaps the Wagoneer engine has been rebuilt or replaced, but I doubt
it. If it has, it may have a Service Replacement Block with no VIN. In
which case the engine has no model year technically as it has no number
on its block, and the VIN of the block determines the legal age of the
year.

However...If you were to put your 4.0 liter head on the 4.2 block and
keep all the stock plumbing, et al, so it looked stone stock, and did
pass emissions, probably you would get away with it because they don't
look that closely as long as all the stuff is there and it passes.

But....you would be better off to get a junkyard core engine and
rebuild it or buy a decent running engine from the junkyard than buy a
whole vehicle just for a lower end. Or rebuild yours if you don't mind
the downtime.

You must read your state laws carefully for yourself and not rely on
others' advice before you do it. Especially ------, he'll tell you to
put a Chevy in there with a piece of ---- Advance Adapter. But he won't
help you when the state will not license your Heep, since obvious swaps
always get the gimlet eye.

Bret Ludwig

Jim Smith wrote:
> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
> cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the
> 135,000 the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt.
> Now my question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb
> engine, it has issues in the bottom half of the engine.
>
> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
> computer into the 90 YJ?
>
> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
> tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?

In most states that have I/M or testing programs there is a rule that
gasoline burning engines must be of the same year or newer as the
chassis. So technically you would have a problem.

Perhaps the Wagoneer engine has been rebuilt or replaced, but I doubt
it. If it has, it may have a Service Replacement Block with no VIN. In
which case the engine has no model year technically as it has no number
on its block, and the VIN of the block determines the legal age of the
year.

However...If you were to put your 4.0 liter head on the 4.2 block and
keep all the stock plumbing, et al, so it looked stone stock, and did
pass emissions, probably you would get away with it because they don't
look that closely as long as all the stuff is there and it passes.

But....you would be better off to get a junkyard core engine and
rebuild it or buy a decent running engine from the junkyard than buy a
whole vehicle just for a lower end. Or rebuild yours if you don't mind
the downtime.

You must read your state laws carefully for yourself and not rely on
others' advice before you do it. Especially ------, he'll tell you to
put a Chevy in there with a piece of ---- Advance Adapter. But he won't
help you when the state will not license your Heep, since obvious swaps
always get the gimlet eye.

Bret Ludwig

Jim Smith wrote:
> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
> cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the
> 135,000 the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt.
> Now my question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb
> engine, it has issues in the bottom half of the engine.
>
> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
> computer into the 90 YJ?
>
> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
> tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?

In most states that have I/M or testing programs there is a rule that
gasoline burning engines must be of the same year or newer as the
chassis. So technically you would have a problem.

Perhaps the Wagoneer engine has been rebuilt or replaced, but I doubt
it. If it has, it may have a Service Replacement Block with no VIN. In
which case the engine has no model year technically as it has no number
on its block, and the VIN of the block determines the legal age of the
year.

However...If you were to put your 4.0 liter head on the 4.2 block and
keep all the stock plumbing, et al, so it looked stone stock, and did
pass emissions, probably you would get away with it because they don't
look that closely as long as all the stuff is there and it passes.

But....you would be better off to get a junkyard core engine and
rebuild it or buy a decent running engine from the junkyard than buy a
whole vehicle just for a lower end. Or rebuild yours if you don't mind
the downtime.

You must read your state laws carefully for yourself and not rely on
others' advice before you do it. Especially ------, he'll tell you to
put a Chevy in there with a piece of ---- Advance Adapter. But he won't
help you when the state will not license your Heep, since obvious swaps
always get the gimlet eye.

jeff

Put the two of them together. 4.2 crank & rods in a 4.0 = 4.7. The older
renix efi of the '88 had a knock sensor which helps in this type of mod.

--
jeff



Jim Smith wrote:
> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
> cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the 135,000
> the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt. Now my
> question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb engine, it has
> issues in the bottom half of the engine.
>
> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
> computer into the 90 YJ?
>
> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
> tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?
>
> What do you think?
>
>
> Thanks!
> Jim Smith
>

jeff

Put the two of them together. 4.2 crank & rods in a 4.0 = 4.7. The older
renix efi of the '88 had a knock sensor which helps in this type of mod.

--
jeff



Jim Smith wrote:
> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
> cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the 135,000
> the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt. Now my
> question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb engine, it has
> issues in the bottom half of the engine.
>
> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
> computer into the 90 YJ?
>
> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
> tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?
>
> What do you think?
>
>
> Thanks!
> Jim Smith
>

jeff

Put the two of them together. 4.2 crank & rods in a 4.0 = 4.7. The older
renix efi of the '88 had a knock sensor which helps in this type of mod.

--
jeff



Jim Smith wrote:
> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt
> cheap. Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the 135,000
> the odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt. Now my
> question. I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb engine, it has
> issues in the bottom half of the engine.
>
> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
> computer into the 90 YJ?
>
> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a
> tough time passing emissions testing in Maryland?
>
> What do you think?
>
>
> Thanks!
> Jim Smith
>

Billy Ray

Is there a write up on this modification available?

--
Billy_Ray@SPAM.fuse.net (remove SPAM)
2002 Jeep WJ 4 Liter Automatic
Sharing is why we are all here....... or should be.
..
"jeff" <jalowe44INVALID@hotmail.com.INVALID> wrote in message
news:_fa%e.29226$y64.719@trnddc06...
> Put the two of them together. 4.2 crank & rods in a 4.0 = 4.7. The older
> renix efi of the '88 had a knock sensor which helps in this type of mod.
>
> --
> jeff
>
>
>
> Jim Smith wrote:
>> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt cheap.
>> Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the 135,000 the
>> odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt. Now my question.
>> I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb engine, it has issues in the
>> bottom half of the engine.
>>
>> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
>> computer into the 90 YJ?
>>
>> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a tough
>> time passing emissions testing in Maryland?
>>
>> What do you think?
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Jim Smith
>>

Billy Ray

Is there a write up on this modification available?

--
Billy_Ray@SPAM.fuse.net (remove SPAM)
2002 Jeep WJ 4 Liter Automatic
Sharing is why we are all here....... or should be.
..
"jeff" <jalowe44INVALID@hotmail.com.INVALID> wrote in message
news:_fa%e.29226$y64.719@trnddc06...
> Put the two of them together. 4.2 crank & rods in a 4.0 = 4.7. The older
> renix efi of the '88 had a knock sensor which helps in this type of mod.
>
> --
> jeff
>
>
>
> Jim Smith wrote:
>> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt cheap.
>> Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the 135,000 the
>> odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt. Now my question.
>> I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb engine, it has issues in the
>> bottom half of the engine.
>>
>> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
>> computer into the 90 YJ?
>>
>> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a tough
>> time passing emissions testing in Maryland?
>>
>> What do you think?
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Jim Smith
>>

Billy Ray

Is there a write up on this modification available?

--
Billy_Ray@SPAM.fuse.net (remove SPAM)
2002 Jeep WJ 4 Liter Automatic
Sharing is why we are all here....... or should be.
..
"jeff" <jalowe44INVALID@hotmail.com.INVALID> wrote in message
news:_fa%e.29226$y64.719@trnddc06...
> Put the two of them together. 4.2 crank & rods in a 4.0 = 4.7. The older
> renix efi of the '88 had a knock sensor which helps in this type of mod.
>
> --
> jeff
>
>
>
> Jim Smith wrote:
>> I've got a chance to buy a 1988 Wagoneer with a 4.0 FI engine dirt cheap.
>> Engine runs really well and seems too clean to have the 135,000 the
>> odometer say it does. So, I'm hoping its been rebuilt. Now my question.
>> I have a 1990 YJ Wrangler with the 4.2 carb engine, it has issues in the
>> bottom half of the engine.
>>
>> So, what do you think of swapping the 88 engine, wiring harness and
>> computer into the 90 YJ?
>>
>> Too much work for too little improvement? Do you think I'll have a tough
>> time passing emissions testing in Maryland?
>>
>> What do you think?
>>
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Jim Smith
>>