Needing new engine- what options and where to get one??

[jumpin_jumpin]

Sister and her husband are looking for an engine to replace the one that pooped out on its drive from Seattle to Montana.

It's a 1984 Jeep Grand Wagoneer and I'm searching hopelessly for a list of what engines can be most easily put into this beast AND where to even start finding said engine. As of now they just have one mechanic out in Montana 'keeping an eye out' for any engines he comes across but I'd love to help expedite the process.

ANY info/leads appreciated

[joe]

"Assuming" it's the AMC 360 V8 motor? The easiest and cheapest without other mods needed would be another "AMC" 360. Is the car home in MT or stranded in MT? If stranded any junkyard 360 should get it home. If it's home I'd have a local shop rebuild it rather than buying a rebuilt(reassembled) motor from an auto parts store.

[rang-a-stang]

When you say "pooped out", what all does that mean? You can do a small block chevy swap for cheaper than any other swap but the lowest cost option will almost certainly be to rebuild the 360...

[chubbinius]

There is a member here who does some incredible rebuilds of old engines, here's a link to one of his 360 rebuild threads http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=186633 You ay want to drop him a line and see what his options are.

There are also some shops around that have good reviews, one of them up in eastern Washington (Spokane) has 360s ready to go for $1997 plus a $500 core charge. http://https://www.sandjengines.com/...and_Wagoneer--
They may be a great option for your sister and husband if they can find a good shop near them to install it.

Good Luck!

[rocklaurence]

I was real happy with BJs replacement and they also offer camshaft upgrades, oiling improvements on a rebuild. I went to 3 different Big Stores and none of them could source a core for an AMC V8 but BJs had one at my door in 3 weeks.

[Crankyolman]

Originally Posted by rocklaurence

I was real happy with BJs replacement and they also offer camshaft upgrades, oiling improvements on a rebuild. I went to 3 different Big Stores and none of them could source a core for an AMC V8 but BJs had one at my door in 3 weeks.

BJs engines come from S&J in Spokane.


I don't know the situation or how close they are but Montana Overland probably has a used one available.

[jumpin_jumpin]

Originally Posted by Crankyolman

BJs engines come from S&J in Spokane.


I don't know the situation or how close they are but Montana Overland probably has a used one available.

I emailed Montana Overland and will see what they have- I like S and J at this point because of warranty.

[jumpin_jumpin]

Originally Posted by rang-a-stang

When you say "pooped out", what all does that mean? You can do a small block chevy swap for cheaper than any other swap but the lowest cost option will almost certainly be to rebuild the 360...

I mean, long story short is the drive out to Montana ended up being it's last leg. Blown head gaskets. I hear it's not too hard of a job but I live in Seattle and my sister or her husband aren't going to do that job.
The mechanic they found that they like said that the labor to rework that engine would end up being more than just plopping in a new engine, so we're going that route.

[joe]

You need to find another mechanic. Replacing head gaskets doesn't require rebuilding the motor. Don't even need to rebuild/replace the heads if not cracked. It's not a high tech job, just physical work.

[Mikel]

Two bad head gaskets? Never seen that.

[jumpin_jumpin]

Originally Posted by joe

You need to find another mechanic. Replacing head gaskets doesn't require rebuilding the motor. Don't even need to rebuild/replace the heads if not cracked. It's not a high tech job, just physical work.

This IS the new mechanic

[babywag]

Originally Posted by jumpin_jumpin

I mean, long story short is the drive out to Montana ended up being it's last leg. Blown head gaskets. I hear it's not too hard of a job but I live in Seattle and my sister or her husband aren't going to do that job.
The mechanic they found that they like said that the labor to rework that engine would end up being more than just plopping in a new engine, so we're going that route.

That is ridiculous...the labor alone to install a new engine will way more than simply replacing the head gaskets.
A "new" engine + labor to install it will be much much higher cost.

Keep in mind it overheated/blew the head gaskets for a reason.
So likely the whole cooling system will need attention as well.
Radiator, water pump, hoses, etc.

A "new" engine will need all the accessories transferred, which involves removal, CLEANING, checking and reinstalling.
If a guy is too lazy to do a simple head gasket job, he is probably too lazy to do a good job on this as well??

Ask around and see if there is a CJ club or something around and some folks who may have a recommendation for a decent mechanic.

[Cecil14]

Originally Posted by babywag

...If a guy is too lazy to do a simple head gasket job, he is probably too lazy to do a good job on this as well??

What I'm seeing here is not that a guy is lazy, but is trying to be crafty and make 4x the money that an ethical mechanic would. Run. Quickly. Find someone that is willing to do their job and not rob their customers. This guy is looking for the easy way out, hoping that a replacement engine (at much higher cost) will solve the problem with no actual brain power from him. It won't, and it's going to end up costing your sister a fortune.

Best advice here: if your sister and her husband cannot/will not work on their Wagoneer, it is not the correct vehicle for them. That's not me taking a jab, but I've watched this rerun a hundred times now. I've been instrumental in helping friends keep rotting piles on the road because they kept prioritizing money elsewhere. It's pretty funny to watch when I move out of the area, and their vehicle world crumbles to dust.

[wiley-moeracing]

Its a good thing you all have put eyes on that motor and know exactly what is wrong with it! Overheated enough to blow both head gaskets can lead to very serious issues in the motor, just leave it to the guy who put eyes on it and assume he is incompetent.

[Cecil14]

Originally Posted by wiley-moeracing

Its a good thing you all have put eyes on that motor and know exactly what is wrong with it! Overheated enough to blow both head gaskets can lead to very serious issues in the motor, just leave it to the guy who put eyes on it and assume he is incompetent.

Reality is reality. We've all see WAY more incompetent mechanics than we have good ethical ones. Like it or don't, but that's how it is.

[wiley-moeracing]

Like all the real mechanics on this website? You and others are making assumptions and have zero info on this motor or this mechanic. Not trying to pick a fight, just making sure we are being honest here.

[Cecil14]

We have the info provided, that's all. The best engine replacement advice has been given, short of that we're giving the *safest* advice, which errs on the side of assume the mechanic sucks. Because, well, that's how it usually works.

Ultimately it's OP's (or sister's) decision what to do. It just really sucks reading through threads where people got raked over the coals because they trusted a crappy thief to do right by them.

[Kaiserjeeps]

Putting in a rebuilt engine and then driving on the hiway back to Seattle will not be good for the engine. You have a cam break in unless it is a roller cam, and then ideally varible RPM while every internal part gets introduced to each other. Followed by an oil change and even more miles. Sustained driving on a rebuild like on the hiway right after start up I have thought to understand was not good. Correct me if I am wrong.

Sounds like it was driven with a cooling issue to long. Two blown head gaskets is odd to happen at the same time. Seems like the best thing is pull the heads, check for warpage, or even rework the heads with a valve grind since they are off, reinstall and look for an overheating problem. I could never see this work being more than a rebuild and related labor. I would trust repair work over a swap given they need to drive it home a significant distance.

So what part of Montana are they in?

[letank]

Originally Posted by babywag

<snip>
Keep in mind it overheated/blew the head gaskets for a reason.
So likely the whole cooling system will need attention as well.
Radiator, water pump, hoses, etc.<snip>

X2, the initial diagnostic of the blown HG is also a real unknown.

Next step at this point: is that 84 such a pristine beauty, no rust, good transmission and the rest

[bagusjeep]

A 1984 Grand Waggie is an appreciating classic, in mint condition you can find specialist asking 50-60k for them. Unfortunately we all seem to have the less appreciated classics on IFSJA.

if it is in reasonable condition, it is worth a rebuilt 360. Buyers will pay less for modified classics despite Jeeps being the most modified band in the world.