I meant a 4.7 power tech V8 out of a dodge Dakota.
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The perfect Jeep engine
- Thread starter AndyG
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I meant a 4.7 power tech V8 out of a dodge Dakota.
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Nope. Old, not much as far as aftermarket support. Iron block? No thanks, not if Im swapping.
This is just my opinion. Although it does have some significant torque down low which is admittedly impressive.
It is, but just imagine if it was a Jeep 4.0 billet block!!
And not that it would need to be billet, but an aluminum block would shave some major weight off the nose. The iron straight six that comes in our Wranglers is grossly obese
I suspect that big chunk of iron is part of the reason the 4.0 is so reliable though. Filled the motor full of muddy water? Blow it out the plug holes, drive home and change the oil, no worse for it. Try doing that with an aluminum motor, bet the sand eats more parts.It is, but just imagine if it was a Jeep 4.0 billet block!!
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There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
I would take an iron/steel block anyday over an aluminum block. The weight savings are not worth the durability.It is, but just imagine if it was a Jeep 4.0 billet block!!
Call me old. But something that is designed to contain explosions should be iron/steel
Being young or old, you can still learn and appreciate some new technology that betters so many aspects of driving and engineering. I would say that you get much more than weight savings. You also get better thermal efficiency which both add up to equal more power (power vs weight ratio) as well as more miles per gallon, which we all know, our TJ’s/LJ’s could use some more of.
And be aware aluminum blocks are sleeved using iron sleeves (strong as an iron block (hence the sleeve being made of iron) and replaceable by pressing the old one out and the new one in) which makes it basically an aluminum block that shaves weight yet iron block internal strengths. It also goes to mention another benefit of not having to bore to repair worn/blown up cylinders, you just slide a new “cylinder” in.
And most all engines from GM’s V8 line today utilize aluminum heads which is where the explosions happen..yet I see plenty driving down the road with loads of miles racked up on the odometer.
Aluminum blocks are just as strong as their iron peers they just look different because the aluminum blocks may use more external block webbing and casting to gain the same iron block strength. But dont be fooled, they are both equal in strength and durability. OEM are using them more and more.
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An engine engineer’s thoughts on Iron vs Aluminum blocks makes for a good short read.
Jim Walker, chief engineer for General Motor's base engine technology explains:
http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-18/news/vw-3712_1_aluminum-engines
Jim Walker, chief engineer for General Motor's base engine technology explains:
http://articles.latimes.com/1992-03-18/news/vw-3712_1_aluminum-engines
I would guess an automotive engineer would say both engines, regardless of metal type are going to be damaged.
Oh no doubt both are damaged, but the level of damage is what matters. I've seen swamped 4.0s with chocolate milk for oil that were driven (short distances) come out just fine after an oil change. I've seen other motors fair much worse with less. Now I don't know if it's the design or the materials or both... But the 4.0 seems to be tough.
Yes they use steel sleeves in an aluminum engine for the cylinders, but what about pushrod and lifter bores?
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There must have been a time
when we could have said no.
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