4.2 liter engine questions, and suggestions needed...

[Po' riggity]

Ok guys, as you probably deduced from my sig, Ive got an 89 yj, with the carbed 4.2... The carb hasn't given me much of an issue, thank God... Well... now the motor is giving me problems.. It won't stay cool anymore, and Ive replaced everything in the cooling system. I have a feeling that the head gasket is slowly deteriorating. I also have an exhaust manifold leak, and my valve cover gasket leaks.... Here is my dilemma... Im short on cash... But I could probably afford to stick a new head gasket on, machine the head, replace the valve cover gasket, and replace the exhaust manifold. OR... my only other option at this point is to swap in a reman 4.2, and keep my carb crap for now, which I planned either way, because I can't afford EFI at this point.. The jeep has almost 220,000 miles on it... What would you do? replace just the broken parts, or just go full bore and forget about it? As of now, the engine still produces good oil pressure, so Im not that worried about it.. On the other hand, it would be nice to drop a fresh motor in it... but thats big $$... So... let me have it....
Thanks!
Scott

[thewoodscrew]

why not drop in a 4.0 head and run it untill you need to get the bottom end rebuilt.

[HybridPOS]

did you try to replace the fan clutch?

You could probably find a good used/junkyard 4.0 for a decent price. You would have to get the puter and harness too though.
Then again, if you aren't having any problems with your carb, just get the head resurfaced, replace your lifters and push rods and slap it back together. (don't go cheap on gaskets)
You can do a Junk yard EFI later on down the road.

[Robert]

At 220,000miles, I would be concerned about the rest of the engine being worn as well. This is around the point where most 4.2Ls give up the ghost.
I would go the reman route just for speed of getting the job done.
But a reman engine is not likely to have the exhaust manifold on it
so add that into the budget.
Go for a 4.0L HO engine if it is available to you. But with out the fuel injection side of things, I would rather have the 4.2L.

[Po' riggity]

Originally posted by Robert
At 220,000miles, I would be concerned about the rest of the engine being worn as well. This is around the point where most 4.2Ls give up the ghost.
I would go the reman route just for speed of getting the job done.
But a reman engine is not likely to have the exhaust manifold on it
so add that into the budget.
Go for a 4.0L HO engine if it is available to you. But with out the fuel injection side of things, I would rather have the 4.2L.

I'm thinking thats what I might do. I'll have to see why exactly its overheating, but its probably a head gasket. As far as the exhaust manifold, I've got one sitting at the shop thats new, in box, so that part is covered... Now, to figure out why my pile is overheating.
Scott

[SanDiegoCJ]

Scott, the last reman. long block I got cost me $1600. At 220,000 miles that's the way I'd go.

[Po' riggity]

Well, I can get a reman long block for 1200.. thats fairly cheap.. guess its time to start saving my pennies... and now.. There goes the tow rig fund... damn. Maybe I can get a loan?
Scott

[90wrangler]

i would save up the money and just run this motor tell it quits. when you have enough money go and buy a better motor and put it in.

[mellocj]

jeeps aren't cheap. buy a little car to drive.

[Taso Stambolis]

get a low mile 4.0L H.O. and keep the carb stuff? would be the easiest way I think

[Po' riggity]

Originally posted by 90wrangler
i would save up the money and just run this motor tell it quits. when you have enough money go and buy a better motor and put it in.

Better motor aint happening, unless I decide to green sticker it, and never drive it on the street again, then I'll just slap a crate 350 in it and be done, but Id like it to still be somewhat streetable, and CA smog laws suck ballz.... So, if I do anything, I'll run this motor till it quits, and put in another 4.2 longblock.

jeeps aren't cheap. buy a little car to drive.

I don't drive little cars If anything, Im going to buy an F350 PSD to tow my junk with, but that will still get alot better gas mileage than my jeep is currently getting.
Scott

[Taso Stambolis]

Originally posted by Po' riggity


Better motor aint happening, unless I decide to green sticker it, and never drive it on the street again, then I'll just slap a crate 350 in it and be done, but Id like it to still be somewhat streetable, and CA smog laws suck ballz.... So, if I do anything, I'll run this motor till it quits, and put in another 4.2 longblock.



I don't drive little cars If anything, Im going to buy an F350 PSD to tow my junk with, but that will still get alot better gas mileage than my jeep is currently getting.
Scott

If you put a 4.0 and keep the carb NO ONE will be able to tell the difference. Also I know 2 smog shops. Don't worry about it

[Po' riggity]

No thanks.. I try and stay honest.. who knows when its gonna bite you in the butt.
Scott

[Robert]

$1200 for a reman is not bad. It cost me more than that to do a full rebuild, and that was pulling strings for a couple major discounts. And it was months of downtime, borrowing vehicles to get to work.
I could have swung in a reman in a weekend. Damn, wish I had known better.

[GoatASS]

save your money and buy a junkyard chebby 4.6L. I wish I'd never spent the $3000 for mpi and reman 4.2L.

[dgcooper]

go try to find a 99 and later 4.0 block. you can put all your carb crap back on it, and when you are ready you can do the MPI conversion.
The 99 block was the first year with the crank girtel, it keeps the rattles down. You'll have to convert to a cheap electric fuel pump, so buy 2.

I have a 99 block with all the 94 mpi Carb stickers. It passes smog with no problems, no questions asked. and almost 0 emmitions.