Monday, April 7, 2008

Minor upgrades leading to extensive overhaul

After researching and debating ways to fix my blow-by problem I played around with the idea of installing a 4.0L engine from a Grand Cherokee. This upgrade would not only take care of my problem but also offer fuel injection and electronics from the OBD1 era. The great thing about this is the engines ability to be a direct bolt in.


My donor was from a 96zj. I purchased an engine wiring harness, computer, and dash wiring harness to match. I also puchased the CPS relocation kit from Hesco.
While tearing out the old engine I made the decision. Since half the Jeep is apart, why not tear it completely apart and rebuild it the way I want with new reliable options. This means that I tore it down to just the frame.

Condition at purchase

I bought my 1981 Jeep CJ7 while in college. At that time I had no idea what transformations it would undergo. The Jeep was stock when I purchased it. It was running a 258 inline six, T176 tranny, and Dana 300 t-case. The body was in great shape as well. There was fender damage from a wreck by the previous owner, but the rest was in awesome shape besides some surface rust that would be easily fixed. The only problem that needed to be fixed would be the blow-by that the engine was producing.