Engine Rebuild Advice or Suggestions?

[Tpratt43]

Short story I'm currently rebuilding a 2008 engine to put in my 2003 Liberty. I have done a good bit of research on here and have found a lot of information such as transferring the reluctor rings from my old engine. I am looking at purchasing the RockAuto rebuild kit but waiting for the crank and block to come back from the machine shop. I am writing to see if any of you have advice or suggestions for me while I have everything tore apart regarding the rebuilding, or parts to use, or etc. Also I haven't taken the heads into the shop yet is there anything specific I should have them check or replace? Thank you for any and all information.

 

[ltd02]

Just curious as to why you are rebuilding the 08 instead of just swapping the reluctor rings. Was there anything wrong with it?

 

[Tpratt43]

Purchase my 2003 Liberty with a locked up engine dirt cheap and planned to rebuild it but once I tore it down I found that the block was crack pretty bad. Started talking to local garages around trying to find and engine and manage to come across this 2008 engine that was locked up and just sitting in the corner of a garage. Long story short the engine was not needed for a core when it was replaced and I ended up getting it for free. The inside of the 08 engine was pretty clean but the rod and main bearings were so worn the engine would not turn over so I'm rebuilding it.

 

[ltd02]

How many miles on the 08?

If the bearings were trashed then a complete cleanout of all passages is required, Of course bearings and machining block and crank and those surfaces but also oil pump, oil pickup, maybe even secondary timing chain tensioners would be a good idea. Probably connecting rods too since you don't know if it was knocking prior to seizure. Rod bolts are TTY so need to replace them too. Probably forgetting things but hopefully others will fill in the rest.

I had a connecting rod bearing go bad in my 02 a while back and tried to get away with just a crank kit, oil pump and pickup but the thing still had a slight knock when all was said and done. Clearly worn out of round and should have replaced some if not all of the rods. Ran it for a bit but upgraded to a low mileage 05 soon after.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

How many miles on the 08?

If the bearings were trashed then a complete cleanout of all passages is required, Of course bearings and machining block and crank and those surfaces but also oil pump, oil pickup, maybe even secondary timing chain tensioners would be a good idea. Probably connecting rods too since you don't know if it was knocking prior to seizure. Rod bolts are TTY so need to replace them too. Probably forgetting things but hopefully others will fill in the rest.

I had a connecting rod bearing go bad in my 02 a while back and tried to get away with just a crank kit, oil pump and pickup but the thing still had a slight knock when all was said and done. Clearly worn out of round and should have replaced some if not all of the rods. Ran it for a bit but upgraded to a low mileage 05 soon after.

^^^Great advice right there

Also get a new set of head bolts as they are designed to stretch at the shoulder - reusing them puts you in danger of a bolt breaking when torquing it down.

The engine R&R on the Liberty is a pretty straightforward proposition - if the body is in good shape the KJ is VERY worth keeping. :waytogo:

Bob

 

[M38 Bob]

After comparing the cost of a "rebuild" VS a complete WARRANTED crate engine from O'Reilly Auto Parts, I bought the crate engine and never looked back. A year later, though low miles, it was a excellent choice.

 

[renegade 04]

Don't use head bolts I would find a set of head studs and nuts, as this gives you a more even torque on the engine heads.