ratherbcamping
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- South Texas
Okay Dr. Dyno and other stroker experts, you got me hooked. I have an 89 XJ, 4.0, BA-10 (no laughing, I have a spare), 231. The 4.0 has a cracked block. According to previous owner, it was still running when they tore it down to fix a bad freeze plug under the manifolds, but when they pulled the manifolds off they found the crack and stopped there. They never put it back together. The crack is horizontal right under the freeze plugs in the block. Since the engine was still running up until that time, I assuming everything except the block is still good, but won’t know until tear down time.
I bought a 4.0 out of an 88 XJ for $130 and I’m in the process of cleaning it up. It’s getting all new gaskets and seals, new oil pump, water pump, etc. The bearings and cylinders look clean, so I’m taking my chances and putting it back together as is. I did have the head done by a local shop. So, the plan is to drop this engine in and see how it goes. I’m in no hurry as this is a toy and not a daily driver.
My latest purchase was another 89 XJ with 4.0, AW4, 231. It runs and drives, but the plan is to part this one out. I only paid $500 for the whole thing, so…. My son already took the front drive shaft for his YJ over axle lift. Now I’m thinking of using the engine out of the 89 to build a stroker while I drive the one I working on now.
So to the question, can you build a descent stroker out of a non-HO 4.0? Should I look for a HO engine and convert everything over or should I just put one of my older heads on a HO block?
Thanks for the help!
Tom
I bought a 4.0 out of an 88 XJ for $130 and I’m in the process of cleaning it up. It’s getting all new gaskets and seals, new oil pump, water pump, etc. The bearings and cylinders look clean, so I’m taking my chances and putting it back together as is. I did have the head done by a local shop. So, the plan is to drop this engine in and see how it goes. I’m in no hurry as this is a toy and not a daily driver.
My latest purchase was another 89 XJ with 4.0, AW4, 231. It runs and drives, but the plan is to part this one out. I only paid $500 for the whole thing, so…. My son already took the front drive shaft for his YJ over axle lift. Now I’m thinking of using the engine out of the 89 to build a stroker while I drive the one I working on now.
So to the question, can you build a descent stroker out of a non-HO 4.0? Should I look for a HO engine and convert everything over or should I just put one of my older heads on a HO block?
Thanks for the help!
Tom