Replacing engine...what would a smart person do?

[DizJeep]

OK, so I ripped out the exhaust (and intake) manifold and put back in with a new felpro gasket to see if an exhaust leak was the cause of the nasty ticking noise in my new-to-me 2001 4.0L. Nope, not the prob. It's a main bearing or lifter rod or collapsed lifter, or gremlin poo (or, whatever). Ah, no horrible surprise, it has 190K miles...but a bummer just the same.

So now imma swappin' out the motor for a 2004 salvage yard unit with 88K miles (thar's an improvement) and a 1 year unlimited mile parts & labor warranty (for free, no less).

Here's what I'm deff doin':
* replacing the rear main seal. Yepper, no brainer there.
* replacing the valve cover gasket (can't put the "new" engine in without taking that off and giving it a good look see anyway).
* Oil, oil filter, and coolant will all be replaced and I'll be moving the brand new (and tested) thermostat over as well.
Also...
* Serpentine belt is good.
* Spark plugs in original engine are nearly new E3's, so they'll go.
* My radiator is recent and in very good condition.
* Both exhaust manifolds are pristine. Since the originals had some obvious signs of previous leakage, I got some awesome replacements (too bad they were not the problem).

What other thangs would you guyz n' galz suggest I do while I have the front part of the Jeep all torn off and the donor engine in-hand?

 

[fourpointzero]

Water pump.


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[glwood]

If you plan on any suspension changes (or already have some, no info in profile), motor mount lift would take about 5 minutes while the engine is out.

 

[fourpointzero]

Was going to also mention new motor mounts as glwood posted. Stock replacements. Motor mount lift replacements would mean changing out your body mounts to taller one's as well, if Im not mistaken?

Another cheap replacement while everything is out are the tensioners and pulleys for your serpentine belt.


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[CodaMan]

...Motor mount lift replacements would mean changing out your body mounts to taller one's as well, if Im not mistaken?

I think @Rob5589 just did a MML without a BL and had no problems.

 

[DizJeep]

Water pump.

Thanks, the records I got with the Jeep (thank God for anal retentive POs) indicate that the water pump is about a year and a half old and it's OE Mopar, so I should be golden there. I'll also be keeping the one that came on the "new" engine as a spare. Thanks!

If you plan on any suspension changes (or already have some, no info in profile), motor mount lift would take about 5 minutes while the engine is out.

Hmmm. Will have to look into that. Thanks for the idea! Also, yeah, I need to get my profile up...it's kinda in a state of limbo at the moment icknose:

...Another cheap replacement while everything is out are the tensioners and pulleys for your serpentine belt.

The tensioner in my original engine is super strong and smooth as is the idler pulley. Plus, I'll have the ones on the "new" engine as spares (which also seem very good)...but a good thought, thanks!

I think @Rob5589 just did a MML without a BL and had no problems.

Maybe I'll have to bug him for some info :stick:, thanks!

 

[DizJeep]

P.S. Picked up the motor today. Turns out the company I bought it from was running a special and I got a one year parts+labor warranty (normally 90 day) for free, so that's pretty awesome!
I'm planning on painting it while it's so accessible and figured I'd go for orange :icon12: ...hey, it's Chrysler orange...but I'm no purist when it comes to paint colors. I figure if ya want your TJ to be chartreuse with purple stripes, go for it.:headbang:

 

[glwood]

Was going to also mention new motor mounts as glwood posted. Stock replacements. Motor mount lift replacements would mean changing out your body mounts to taller one's as well, if Im not mistaken?

Pretty sure BL, when putting on a MML, is to eliminate the need for modifying the fan shroud, minimizing any changes to tc & tranny linkages, and as a prep for 'tummy tuck'.

 

[fullagofast]

What about a new timing chain and oil pump? New oil pump also lets you clean any gunk out of the oil pan.

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