[ Article crossposted from rec.autos.makers.jeep+willys ] [ Author was Ted Keller ] [ Posted on 10 Oct 1996 20:12:52 GMT ] Hi, I am about to embark on the great engine replace/swap in my '85 Jeep Cherokee (2.8l, 5 speed manual). The current engine has 160K miles and clatters.  I tried the cheap (replace rod bearings) fix, did not work. I have searched dejanews and followed a lot of the threads regarding the 2.8l engine. Sooo...... My options are as follows:  1 - rebuild existing engine  2 - buy a junkyard 2.8  3 - buy a long block from Checker Auto/Western Auto/Pep Boys         12 month/ unlimited mileage waranty  4 - buy a junkyard 3.1 and swap (1992 camero engine 24K miles)         90 day conditional waranty (if I goof, not thier problem) The questions I have are (keep in mind the Jeep is our family car so reliability is important):  1 - Is it worth it to put in the 2.8 long block?  2 - Has anyone actually put the 3.1 in a Jeep and drive it      daily?  3 - Can anyone confirm that the 92 3.1 is the same block as      the 2.8? Any help/support would be appreciated. Thanks, Ted Keller PS. I will be replacing the clutch, ... while the engine is out.

[ Article crossposted from rec.autos.makers.jeep+willys ] [ Author was Ted Keller ] [ Posted on 10 Oct 1996 20:12:52 GMT ] Hi, I am about to embark on the great engine replace/swap in my '85 Jeep Cherokee (2.8l, 5 speed manual). The current engine has 160K miles and clatters.  I tried the cheap (replace rod bearings) fix, did not work. I have searched dejanews and followed a lot of the threads regarding the 2.8l engine. Sooo...... My options are as follows:  1 - rebuild existing engine  2 - buy a junkyard 2.8  3 - buy a long block from Checker Auto/Western Auto/Pep Boys         12 month/ unlimited mileage waranty  4 - buy a junkyard 3.1 and swap (1992 camero engine 24K miles)         90 day conditional waranty (if I goof, not thier problem) The questions I have are (keep in mind the Jeep is our family car so reliability is important):  1 - Is it worth it to put in the 2.8 long block?  2 - Has anyone actually put the 3.1 in a Jeep and drive it      daily?  3 - Can anyone confirm that the 92 3.1 is the same block as      the 2.8? Any help/support would be appreciated. Thanks, Ted Keller PS. I will be replacing the clutch, ... while the engine is out.

I would recomend you go down to your local Chevy dealer and order the new 3.4L replacement that they recently designed to directly replace the 2.8.  You will need to keep your current manifolds, ect. I don't like the idea of ever using any engin from a junked Camaro (usually have not had a plesent life).   P.S I wish I had this option when I replaced the 2.8 in my S-10.

[ Author was Ted Keller ] [ Posted on 10 Oct 1996 20:12:52 GMT ] Hi, I am about to embark on the great engine replace/swap in my '85 Jeep Cherokee (2.8l, 5 speed manual). The current engine has 160K miles and clatters.  I tried the cheap (replace rod bearings) fix, did not work. I have searched dejanews and followed a lot of the threads regarding the 2.8l engine. Sooo...... My options are as follows:  1 - rebuild existing engine  2 - buy a junkyard 2.8  3 - buy a long block from Checker Auto/Western Auto/Pep Boys         12 month/ unlimited mileage waranty  4 - buy a junkyard 3.1 and swap (1992 camero engine 24K miles)         90 day conditional waranty (if I goof, not thier problem) The questions I have are (keep in mind the Jeep is our family car so reliability is important):  1 - Is it worth it to put in the 2.8 long block?  2 - Has anyone actually put the 3.1 in a Jeep and drive it      daily?  3 - Can anyone confirm that the 92 3.1 is the same block as      the 2.8? Any help/support would be appreciated. Thanks, Ted Keller PS. I will be replacing the clutch, ... while the engine is out. I just did a swap in my 87 6000.  I did not go with a 3.1 because I did not want to deal with any engine management problems that might arise from the extra displacement.  It is the same block with a longer stroke and for me there was no upside to going larger and a huge potential down side.  As the FWD 2.8 phased out in 89, I couldn't find a decent one in a salvage yard.   I would go for the long block and I would try to get one with all the sheet _meta_l.  (Oil Pan, Timing Cover.)  Do you thing your heads and valvetrain are pristine after 160K?  Also, this is a bitch of job and if somebody else puts on the oil pan and timing cover, it is one less thing for you to worry about. I ended up buying a crate engine from Lustine GM Parts Distributors in Hyattsville Md. for $1454.  This is about $500 more than the Pep Boys option, but it came with all the sheet_meta_l and 3/50K warranty and my only worry is that it will surely outlast the rest of the car. Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (tell him Otto sent ya!) I also got prices and info from a large number of remanufacturers. Prices range from $999. to above $1500 depending on the source.  Motors with 3yr/30 or 36 warranties run in around $1300.  Friends of friends of friends have reputedly done OK with the Pep Boys $1000 long blocks.  I felt that having decided to do this job and put the time and money in that I wanted a reman with a 36/36 warranty. Three reman builders with Web sites: Jasper - big $$$ but reputed to be excellent ATK  - less $$$ but also a good rep. Engine Factory - lower prices - nice guys - quality unknown to me. I spoke with two rebuilders with good reps who would rebuild my old engine.  Their quotes were in the $1300 range and they offered a 12/12 warranty.  The upside is that this option means that you don't have to screw with putting intake manifold, exhaust manifold, oil pan, timing cover, pump drive, oil filter adapter etc. on.  They would give me back a completed unit primed and ready to drop in.  Downside for me was the five plus business days needed to do the work. E-mail me directly if you like.  I may have learned some other things from my experience that could be helpful. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

:  2 - buy a junkyard 2.8 I've heard that the 2.8 has a rather weak crankshaft (though I didn't personally have any problems with my 2.8 while I had it). I have heard that people have swapped in a 4.0 I6 (Jeep/AMC) without too many troubles.