Finally Found A Remanufactured Engine!

[ArmyRN]

Notice any difference in the initial power? I know you can't get on it or rip it for a while but just curious if you noticed anything about the RV cam?

No. I literally only drove it less than 3 miles from the shop to home (and then parked it in the shop and got ready for work). I was babying it just listening for any strange sounds and watching the gauges. So far so good. Titan said I probably wouldn't notice a difference, but I'm hoping!

 

[ArmyRN]

500 miles is great for the break-in.

🤔

Then we expect a burnout video…

🙂

In be lucky to get a burp video.

 

[Jack_Stefan]

This is good news @ArmyRN and the price is looking similar to mine.

My engine is still being built. I ordered an ATK through autozone, free shipping and I had rewards points so why not.

Right now I’m at 3k with the engine + core fee. So hopefully I get my 400$ back

I’m also in the process of ordering a new clutch and a bunch of new spare parts. I imagine my costs will be similar to yours.

 

[ArmyRN]

This is good news @ArmyRN and the price is looking similar to mine.

My engine is still being built. I ordered an ATK through autozone, free shipping and I had rewards points so why not.

Right now I’m at 3k with the engine + core fee. So hopefully I get my 400$ back

I’m also in the process of ordering a new clutch and a bunch of new spare parts. I imagine my costs will be similar to yours.

If you're going to be replacing the clutch, consider adding a heavier flywheel while they're in there. Every little bit helps with the 2.5 engine.

Check this thread out:

https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/heavier-flywheel-for-a-four-cylinder-tj.4439301/

Now's the time to be replacing a lot of stuff that's old and not so easy to get to. But since they've got to take them off the old block, why put the old stuff back on (like water pumps, etc.).

 

[Jack_Stefan]

If you're going to be replacing the clutch, consider adding a heavier flywheel while they're in there. Every little bit helps with the 2.5 engine.

Check this thread out:

https://www.jeepforum.com/threads/heavier-flywheel-for-a-four-cylinder-tj.4439301/

Now's the time to be replacing a lot of stuff that's old and not so easy to get to. But since they've got to take them off the old block, why put the old stuff back on (like water pumps, etc.).

I have a 4.0 Idk if that matters when considering clutches?

But yeah I’m doing:

Timing Cover

Timing Cover Gasket

Oil Pan

Oil Pan Gasaket

Valve Cover

Valve Cover Gasket

Clutch Kit

Heater Hoses to Pipe

Heater Hoses From Pipe

Water Pump

Coolant Hoses

Fan Clutch

 

[ArmyRN]

I've only put about 35 miles on the new engine (been working a lot). So far everything seems fine - good oil pressure, idles nicely, is peppy, etc. I'm trying to drive it easy around town to get it broken in properly. The original engine always ran well and the Jeep was kinda "peppy" when driving around town (and when not towing my lil' trailer) right up until it decided to implode. I never had any issues with the 2.5; I just didn't expect it to be a rocket ship so I just went with the flow.

They put an RV cam in the Titan engine. It is custom ground for Titan by Schneider Racing Cams, and I am under the impression after talking with Titan that this is a mild cam. I understand the principles behind cam-talk, but I don't know what the factory specs are for the 2.5's cam. This is what came with the engine's paperwork:

If anyone is fluent in cam-speak and wants to fill us in on what these numbers mean (in relation to the factory cam) please go for it.

 

[ArmyRN]

I asked John at Titan how many miles should I drive it for its break-in. I don't want to take it on a long highway drive till its broken in.

He told me 200 - 300 miles.

I'm at 85 miles so far. Still working at getting it broken in driving around town. So far so good.

When I get to 500 miles I'll bring it back to the shop that installed it for an oil change and a once-over.

 

[Wildman]

I've only put about 35 miles on the new engine (been working a lot). So far everything seems fine - good oil pressure, idles nicely, is peppy, etc. I'm trying to drive it easy around town to get it broken in properly. The original engine always ran well and the Jeep was kinda "peppy" when driving around town (and when not towing my lil' trailer) right up until it decided to implode. I never had any issues with the 2.5; I just didn't expect it to be a rocket ship so I just went with the flow.

They put an RV cam in the Titan engine. It is custom ground for Titan by Schneider Racing Cams, and I am under the impression after talking with Titan that this is a mild cam. I understand the principles behind cam-talk, but I don't know what the factory specs are for the 2.5's cam. This is what came with the engine's paperwork:

View attachment 404631

View attachment 404632

If anyone is fluent in cam-speak and wants to fill us in on what these numbers mean (in relation to the factory cam) please go for it.

Late reply to this as I'm not any where near a wizard about this stuff. Maybe this will help? Hope all is going well with the new engine.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/read-camshaft-specs-engine-masters-ep-19/

 

[Head Lice]

I asked John at Titan how many miles should I drive it for its break-in.
He told me 200 - 300 miles.
When I get to 500 miles I'll bring it back to the shop that installed it for an oil change and a once-over.

What oil/weight does the installer recommend?

 

[ArmyRN]

The installer put in 10W30 oil.

However, with the paperwork from Titan there is a big "Technical Alert" separate page. It says (quote):

Current oil formulations which contain detergents are causing engine failures in flat tappet camshaft engines. It is HIGHLY recommended that a non-detergent oil be used FOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE to ensure proper function and to prevent failure related to friction and wear of the camshaft and lifters. With a non-detergent oil a zinc additive is also recommended if the oil used is not specifically sold as a "High ZINC flat tappet oil".

I'm hoping the installer read this when he was finishing up on the install.

 

[macleanflood]

What modern oils don't have detergents...sure would be helpful if it had a list of what they consider acceptable oil.

-Mac

 

[B1Toad]

The installer put in 10W30 oil.

However, with the paperwork from Titan there is a big "Technical Alert" separate page. It says (quote):

Current oil formulations which contain detergents are causing engine failures in flat tappet camshaft engines. It is HIGHLY recommended that a non-detergent oil be used FOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE to ensure proper function and to prevent failure related to friction and wear of the camshaft and lifters. With a non-detergent oil a zinc additive is also recommended if the oil used is not specifically sold as a "High ZINC flat tappet oil".

I'm hoping the installer read this when he was finishing up on the install.

Check this out when you have some time, it's a fairly long read so set aside some time to really read it. It may change the way you look at motor oils: https://540ratblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/motor-oil-wear-test-ranking/

 

[Jack_Stefan]

The installer put in 10W30 oil.

However, with the paperwork from Titan there is a big "Technical Alert" separate page. It says (quote):

Current oil formulations which contain detergents are causing engine failures in flat tappet camshaft engines. It is HIGHLY recommended that a non-detergent oil be used FOR THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE to ensure proper function and to prevent failure related to friction and wear of the camshaft and lifters. With a non-detergent oil a zinc additive is also recommended if the oil used is not specifically sold as a "High ZINC flat tappet oil".

I'm hoping the installer read this when he was finishing up on the install.

My engine is coming Wednesday!
How has your jeep been running so far

 

[ArmyRN]

My engine is coming Wednesday!
How has your jeep been running so far

So far great!

I've only got about 150 miles on it so far. I'm shooting for about 250 miles city driving (varying the RPMs) before taking it on the highway. So I have a little 15 mile-or-so loop that I drive it to help break it in. And between work and my new Jeep, it's taking a while. I think replacing a lot of other stuff while replacing the engine and having a shop that knew what they were doing will pay off in the long run.

But driving it always brings a smile to my face. I have lots of good memories associated with it (it is a 98 that I bought used in 08) and I plan on keeping it for a while. This is my hard-core four-wheeling and rough overlanding Jeep (not afraid to get it scratched). It has crisscrossed the country more than once, been up to Alaska and Canada, and always performed well (well.. until the engine blew). My new Jeep (2023 Willys JLU XR 2.0T) is now my daily driver and light overlanding Jeep. The TJ never was my daily driver.

So let us know how your engine replacement story goes.