Buying a remmaned engine need your guys opinions - Page 2

JPH · 09-21-2009, 02:24 PM

Just offering an alternative here:

Many pick and pull junkyards have a separate section for vehicles with running engines. Usually you can have your pick and listen to the engine run before you buy. Cherokees make great donors, and they are plentiful. I wouldn't recommend this on some tempermental aluminum motor, but the 4.0L is pretty stout. (I have over 50K on mine from a junkyard and the Cherokee I acquired it from had over 100K).

Two advantages to this approach; Experience and cost savings. Pulling out a motor in a vehicle you don't care about is great experience for later when you are trying to do it right. Clip a wire, forget a cable, miss a bolt, no big deal. When you are ready to pull the engine out of your own rig, it will be the second time, not your first.

Second is the cost savings. Generally $300 for a complete assembly puts you way ahead for things like motor mounts, battery cables, antifreeze, and gas for about 1000 trips to the parts store for that "one friggen bolt".

Ifr you go this route, buy your self a compression tester, look at plug conditions, check for oil leaks, listen for banging, rattling, ticking and look for smoke. Pulling a valve cover usually lets you know how often the oil has been changed. If the inside of the vehicle is in good condtion, thats another sign that it was probably taken care of.

Merely my two cents. I know a warranty sounds tempting, but remember who gets to replace the motor if something goes wrong. Warranties do not necessarily mean quality. Not that an engine out of a junkyard would be in better shape than a rebuild, but don't assume that a rebuild is automatically better than a used motor. Wrong is worse than worn.

Cost was the motivating factor for me, and I've rebuilt my fair share of motors. Once I pulled my motor, I replaced the rear main, oil pan/intake/exhause/valve cover gaskets and dropped it in. I had some minor issues, but none of them were with the motor.

Of course, if you run into trouble along the way, you know where to go for help!

Goobersbro · 09-22-2009, 01:02 AM

another question what do I have to do legal wise once I swap this engine in.. Like do I have to take it to an inspection shop or have a smog test done or go to the dmv.... or can I just leave it alone

linemen339 · 09-22-2009, 07:56 AM

You drive it and have fun! Here in Ma you have to do nothing. In 27 yrs of repairing cars and heavy equipment I never had to have anything looked at. The only thing that needed a second look was a insurance job to make sure the work was done...

Goobersbro · 09-22-2009, 10:29 AM

Alright thanks

**timatoe** · 09-22-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goobersbro

another question what do I have to do legal wise once I swap this engine in.. Like do I have to take it to an inspection shop or have a smog test done or go to the dmv.... or can I just leave it alone

You're not doing an engine "swap" so to say. Drop the new one in and forget it. There's no smog inspection or anything, just go on about you way as if nothing ever changed.