what new engine for '90 GW

[Dawghouse]

Gents,

I'm glad I found this forum, you guys collectively seem to know it all. So here goes. My stock 360 is on it's last leg, the places I have been to do not recommend a re-build and would like to explore options on a new engine. The guy at the chain store said he can get me a new engine and a 3yr 100,000 mile guarantee, but is this a crummy rebuild or a "new" enginge, not sure. Can you even get a new 360? Should I get a short block for $795 at Shucks? Maybe get something out of a junker?

The reason I am considering a chain store is i am in the Navy and will be transferring soon and i know that I can get waurantee work done all the way across the country. That, and the fact that I am not able to do my own tweaking of any systems yet, still have everything the learn.

If I had my choice, I'd have a brand new Fuel injected sytem put in with a 4spd tranny, but that will not happen.

This is a nice GW that we plan on keeping for a long time. The only real off-roading I will do is hunting maybe a few times a year, nothing like i've seen in magazines, just rutty high country trails.

Thanks in advance for your help and I look foward to hearing from you.

Steve

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Jesus Christ; don't leave Earth without him.

[trssho]

Welcome aboard Dawg,
I would discourage buying a chain store engine. They have descent warranties, but they are not quality. Jasper makes a good engine, but they would not custom build mine, so I went with an outfit out of Jersey. I will try to find the name of them Tuesday if you are intrested. It was around $2K delivered, but I was able to get a mild cam and dbbl roller chain. Good luck with your SJ!
Andy

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1989 GW Tan w/106K miles
Rebuilt 360 W/ cam
Edelbrock intake and Carb
Polishesd factory rims
Dual electric fans
Miller shift knob
Auto dimming mirror
MP3 CD player w/ Infinity Kappa speakers

Wagoneer pictures http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/trssho/lst?.dir=/Jeep&.view=t

[Mikel2]

Putting a T-18A four speed is not as hard as it looks like, if you are lucky to find all the bits you need (tranny, bellhousing, flywheel, TC, linkages...)
Good luck!
Mikel

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1978 Jeep Cherokee Chief
360 4bbl/T18A/Dana 20
http://www.virtue.nu/yazahx/rand/pollitopequeno.jpg

[joe]

I also discourage you from a chain store motor. They generally use cheap parts and the quality of work is poor. These motors aren't built by engine mechanics they're put together by "engine assemblers". Usually they also hang you up on their warranty when something goes wrong by saying it's your fault because of improper install or break-in etc. From then on you'll waste a bunch of time wrestling with them and getting even more frustrated because in the meantime you've got to come up with another motor http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/frown.gif
The ones from NAPA at least where I live seem to have a good reputation though since they farm the motors out to a regular shop that does engine rebuilds. They aren't cheap but the warranty is 5 years. Whatever shop you use find out exactly actually who does the rebuilding and then check with the Better Business Bureau and see if any complaints have been filed against them. A clean record doesn't mean they're good but complaints should be a warning. If you are around a decent size town check with a local speed/hot rod/4x4 whatever shop and get an estimate and then ask around about their reputation. As mentioned Jasper is also a good option.

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Regards,
-joe
63 2-dr Wag, 72 J-4000, 73 J-4000, 82 CJ-8