too rebuild 2.5 or not to? Swap engine?? HELP!

jbhashem · 05-02-2007, 08:44 PM

Hi All,

I've been a faithful member of the past with my TJs, but got the fever a few months ago and bought a 91 YJ. However, I bought her on ebay sight unseen. While it is still a great deal for what I have, looks like the little tick in the engine that is now a larger tick and clunk and whatever, is the engine telling me (and a mechanic-I am engine dumb) to either rebuild or put to pasture.

The little 2.5 (only 56k miles on it) is dragging around 33"s and about 6" of lift. Since i cannot rebuild myself, I found a mechanic who will do the labor for $1k and I buy the parts. I do not know what all the parts amount to, but am considering if I should do a swap. I would want to make the swap as less painful as possible in the pocketbook and in labor time.

If I keep the 2.5, I know I will need to go 4.88 to get her back to just normal...

This is my dilemma...any opinions/advice?
Thanks

bayvilleYJ · 05-02-2007, 08:54 PM

It depends what you want to do with it. I ran 35's with the 4 banger and 4:88's. Went amazing offroad , crawled up anything , had a low COG , and weighed nothing. Don't think you'll be taking her to the track though , with the low gears you'll maybe hit 60 or 65. I would go with a swap. Small block or 4.3. Just know that just about whatever you swap in is gonna eat up your stock axles , so it's not as simple as just swapping engines ,there is a lot of other stuff there. Wiring , trans , transfercase , axles. Big money.

ovrlnd · 05-02-2007, 08:57 PM

this question depends on your budget. on two occasions years ago I rebuilt my 2.5 twice becuase of finances just weren't there for any type of swap. if you have the cash swap a 4.0, 4.3 chev, or a v8. yes these options are more expensive when you mash the skinny pedal you'll know where the money went.

**mean90yj** · 05-02-2007, 08:57 PM

i would swap it in for a 4.0 High output, get rid of that 4 banger. If you wanted and had the knowledge i'd go fo a v8

mighty4banger · 05-02-2007, 09:02 PM

I am MORE than pleased with my 2.5L and 4.88's...

bayvilleYJ · 05-02-2007, 09:05 PM

What about just swapping in a different 2.5? You can keep everything you have now , just get a 2.5 that still runs from the junk yard or something. And when you re-gear , dont bother with the d35 , go atleast 8.8.

mighty4banger · 05-02-2007, 09:11 PM

There is a 2.5 on Craigslist in my area for $100.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/pts/311748663.html

bayvilleYJ · 05-02-2007, 09:26 PM

^exactly my point....

jbhashem · 05-03-2007, 07:13 AM

Thanks All, great advice. I am leaning towards the rebuild (at least I know where I stand than another engine with the same problem) and 8.8s as suggested...I think...

john2u · 05-03-2007, 08:47 AM

have you checked on trading your engine in on one already rebuilt if i was you i would check into it

accord387 · 05-03-2007, 11:02 PM

1k for labor is a lot of money. if i were you i'd atleast pull the motor and put it back in yourself to save on some of the costs. I'd just get a used one and compression test it. 100 bucks and your time to swap motors sounds a lot better to me.

jbhashem · 05-06-2007, 07:06 PM

You've never seen my handy mechanic skills before...I can't take an engine out...I am dumb

**leftlanetruckin** · 05-06-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbhashem

You've never seen my handy mechanic skills before...I can't take an engine out...I am dumb

10 out of 10 for upfront honesty my friend!

at least you admit it, before making a cluster out of a motor.....
i just rebuilt daves 4.3 in a day, after all machining work and cleaning was done, its not a bad thing to do....
if you wanna stick with the 2.5, try rebuilding it with a new cam and bored over, i wouldnt waste the $$$ myself, but to each their own...
get it mid mo, and i'll have it rebuilt for ye in a day......

martin

Sahara88 · 05-06-2007, 07:52 PM

you shouldn't call yourself dumb. You should have faith in yourself

but yeah, if it's going to cost you $1000++ to get it rebuilt you might as well spend the extra to get a new engine all together, i think you'd be alot happier with a bigger engine

accord387 · 05-06-2007, 09:45 PM

If you're to scared to remove a motor and reinstall it then definately do not try a motor swap. Removing and reinstalling a motor is very easy, maybe someone local can help you out.. where are you located?

05-02-2007, 08:57 PM	#3
ovrlnd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 677 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	this question depends on your budget. on two occasions years ago I rebuilt my 2.5 twice becuase of finances just weren't there for any type of swap. if you have the cash swap a 4.0, 4.3 chev, or a v8. yes these options are more expensive when you mash the skinny pedal you'll know where the money went. __________________ "We'll get out of this disaster in time for the next one" "I'm done recomboobulating the energy-mo-tron" 88 YJ, 350/350 Chevy, Twin Stick Dana 300 with JB 32 spline rear output, 6.5" lift, Front Scout II Dana 44 w/Yukon 4340 shafts, trac loc, 4.27's, Warn Premium Hubs, flipped YJ Tie Rod, Ford F150 front calipers, Rear Scout II Dana 44 w/Alloy 4340 shafts, HD RPT retainer plates, 4.27's True trac, Steeltech Disc brakes, Cage upgrade, B&M Prostick Shifter, Custom Fabbed tire, gas, jack carrier, 3/8 angle rear bumper, clevis's all around, old & reliable rep8000 winch. Flood lights. loud stereo. 35x12.50 swampers and a bunch of other stuff

05-03-2007, 07:13 AM	#9
jbhashem Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	engine Thanks All, great advice. I am leaning towards the rebuild (at least I know where I stand than another engine with the same problem) and 8.8s as suggested...I think...

05-03-2007, 08:47 AM	#10
john2u Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: sweetwater tn Posts: 29 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	rebuilt eng have you checked on trading your engine in on one already rebuilt if i was you i would check into it __________________ 04 lj wrangler may the good lord take a liking to you and yours

05-02-2007, 08:54 PM	#2
bayvilleYJ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: new jersey Posts: 399 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It depends what you want to do with it. I ran 35's with the 4 banger and 4:88's. Went amazing offroad , crawled up anything , had a low COG , and weighed nothing. Don't think you'll be taking her to the track though , with the low gears you'll maybe hit 60 or 65. I would go with a swap. Small block or 4.3. Just know that just about whatever you swap in is gonna eat up your stock axles , so it's not as simple as just swapping engines ,there is a lot of other stuff there. Wiring , trans , transfercase , axles. Big money.

05-02-2007, 09:05 PM	#6
bayvilleYJ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: new jersey Posts: 399 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	What about just swapping in a different 2.5? You can keep everything you have now , just get a 2.5 that still runs from the junk yard or something. And when you re-gear , dont bother with the d35 , go atleast 8.8.

05-02-2007, 09:26 PM	#8
bayvilleYJ Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: new jersey Posts: 399 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	^exactly my point....

05-03-2007, 11:02 PM	#11
accord387 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 247 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	1k for labor is a lot of money. if i were you i'd atleast pull the motor and put it back in yourself to save on some of the costs. I'd just get a used one and compression test it. 100 bucks and your time to swap motors sounds a lot better to me.

05-06-2007, 07:06 PM	#12
jbhashem Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	You've never seen my handy mechanic skills before...I can't take an engine out...I am dumb

05-06-2007, 09:45 PM	#15
accord387 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 247 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	If you're to scared to remove a motor and reinstall it then definately do not try a motor swap. Removing and reinstalling a motor is very easy, maybe someone local can help you out.. where are you located?