Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

DougW wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>> myself,
>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>> debating whether to
>
> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.

Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

>> (a) get a rebuilt long-block and put it in and be done with it or
>> (b) get a junkyard engine, rebuild that, and put it in, or
>> (c) get a junkyard engine, put it in, rebuild the existing engine,
>> and swap it back.
>> (d) get a beater pickup truck and use it to haul the block to the
>> machine shop and back and once the job is done sell the beater.
>>
>> Before I spend money I figured I'd see what others thought of the
>> options.
>
> FWIW,
>
> SHORT BLOCK, All Models - 4.0L - 4.0L 97-98 $1,903.50
> Includes: Block With Pistons, Rings, Pins, Rods, Main Bearings,
> Crankshaft, Camshaft Bearings, Timing Gears And Timing Chain.
>
> SHORT BLOCK, 5.9L - 5.2L, 5.9L - 5.2L, 5.9L 97-98 $1,964.25
> Includes: Cylinder Block With Pistons & Rings, Crankshaft,
> Connecting Rods & Bearings.
>
> no core charges, and that's from chryslerpartsdirect.com, OEM.

Good to know. I'm a little hesitant about a short block--the engine
was run oil-starved for a while (don't ask) and I'm betting that the
valve guides aren't pretty. Could do the top overhaul but that would
mean more downtime.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

DougW wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>> myself,
>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>> debating whether to
>
> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.

Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

>> (a) get a rebuilt long-block and put it in and be done with it or
>> (b) get a junkyard engine, rebuild that, and put it in, or
>> (c) get a junkyard engine, put it in, rebuild the existing engine,
>> and swap it back.
>> (d) get a beater pickup truck and use it to haul the block to the
>> machine shop and back and once the job is done sell the beater.
>>
>> Before I spend money I figured I'd see what others thought of the
>> options.
>
> FWIW,
>
> SHORT BLOCK, All Models - 4.0L - 4.0L 97-98 $1,903.50
> Includes: Block With Pistons, Rings, Pins, Rods, Main Bearings,
> Crankshaft, Camshaft Bearings, Timing Gears And Timing Chain.
>
> SHORT BLOCK, 5.9L - 5.2L, 5.9L - 5.2L, 5.9L 97-98 $1,964.25
> Includes: Cylinder Block With Pistons & Rings, Crankshaft,
> Connecting Rods & Bearings.
>
> no core charges, and that's from chryslerpartsdirect.com, OEM.

Good to know. I'm a little hesitant about a short block--the engine
was run oil-starved for a while (don't ask) and I'm betting that the
valve guides aren't pretty. Could do the top overhaul but that would
mean more downtime.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

DougW wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>> myself,
>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>> debating whether to
>
> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.

Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

>> (a) get a rebuilt long-block and put it in and be done with it or
>> (b) get a junkyard engine, rebuild that, and put it in, or
>> (c) get a junkyard engine, put it in, rebuild the existing engine,
>> and swap it back.
>> (d) get a beater pickup truck and use it to haul the block to the
>> machine shop and back and once the job is done sell the beater.
>>
>> Before I spend money I figured I'd see what others thought of the
>> options.
>
> FWIW,
>
> SHORT BLOCK, All Models - 4.0L - 4.0L 97-98 $1,903.50
> Includes: Block With Pistons, Rings, Pins, Rods, Main Bearings,
> Crankshaft, Camshaft Bearings, Timing Gears And Timing Chain.
>
> SHORT BLOCK, 5.9L - 5.2L, 5.9L - 5.2L, 5.9L 97-98 $1,964.25
> Includes: Cylinder Block With Pistons & Rings, Crankshaft,
> Connecting Rods & Bearings.
>
> no core charges, and that's from chryslerpartsdirect.com, OEM.

Good to know. I'm a little hesitant about a short block--the engine
was run oil-starved for a while (don't ask) and I'm betting that the
valve guides aren't pretty. Could do the top overhaul but that would
mean more downtime.

--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

J. Clarke wrote:
> DougW wrote:
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>> myself,
>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>> debating whether to
>>
>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>
> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
in from above.

Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.

Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

J. Clarke wrote:
> DougW wrote:
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>> myself,
>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>> debating whether to
>>
>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>
> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
in from above.

Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.

Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

J. Clarke wrote:
> DougW wrote:
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>> myself,
>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>> debating whether to
>>
>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>
> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
in from above.

Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.

Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

J. Clarke wrote:
> DougW wrote:
>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>> myself,
>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>> debating whether to
>>
>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>
> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.

To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
in from above.

Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.

Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm


--
-- DougW -- 93 ZJ 4.0 http://revbeergoggles.com
HESCO Supercharger - 300W IASCA Stereo - Edelbrock IAS Shocks
Gibson Exhaust - rear DCpower - custom gauge install - Stillen Rotors
Banks Header - and BEER, in the fridge!

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

DougW wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> DougW wrote:
>>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>>> myself,
>>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>>> debating whether to
>>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
>> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
>> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.
>
> To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
> in from above.
>
> Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
> If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
> stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
> it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.
>
> Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
> shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm
>
>
BUT is he has a busted oil ring but the compression ring is OK that test
won't show it... although if it's lost compression because of a busted
compression ring scoring the cylinder the test would show that.

How about a cylinder leak down test? Then you can hear if the air is
escaping into the crankcase or into the intake or exhaust.

Jeff DeWitt

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

DougW wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> DougW wrote:
>>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>>> myself,
>>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>>> debating whether to
>>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
>> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
>> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.
>
> To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
> in from above.
>
> Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
> If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
> stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
> it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.
>
> Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
> shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm
>
>
BUT is he has a busted oil ring but the compression ring is OK that test
won't show it... although if it's lost compression because of a busted
compression ring scoring the cylinder the test would show that.

How about a cylinder leak down test? Then you can hear if the air is
escaping into the crankcase or into the intake or exhaust.

Jeff DeWitt

Re: ZJ Engine overhaul questions
 

DougW wrote:
> J. Clarke wrote:
>> DougW wrote:
>>> J. Clarke wrote:
>>>> My 97 ZJ needs an engine overhaul--has a cracked ring (or worse).
>>>> I'm debating my options. Pulling the engine, overhauling it
>>>> myself,
>>>> and putting it back is out--with the engine out of the Jeep I
>>>> wouldn't have any way to get the block to the machine shop. So I'm
>>>> debating whether to
>>> what makes you think it has a cracked ring? Just wondering because
>>> the valve springs on that year had some failure issues.
>> Symptoms are (1) one and only one plug is getting oil-fouled
>> regularly, (2) low compression on that cylinder, (3) engine is using a
>> lot of oil, (4) blows small amount of blue smoke.
>
> To me that sounds like a worn valve guide allowing oil to get sucked down
> in from above.
>
> Have you tried a squirt(teaspoon) of 30W oil into the low one?
> If the compression goes up, it's rings. If the compression
> stayes the same, it's valve or possibly head gasket. But if
> it was the gasket you would have other symptoms.
>
> Also if you have a vac gauge, see if it matches any of the problems
> shown here: http://www.iwemalpg.com/Vacuum_gauge.htm
>
>
BUT is he has a busted oil ring but the compression ring is OK that test
won't show it... although if it's lost compression because of a busted
compression ring scoring the cylinder the test would show that.

How about a cylinder leak down test? Then you can hear if the air is
escaping into the crankcase or into the intake or exhaust.

Jeff DeWitt