[MarineOpLaw]

Seems there are a lot of Virginia-based Jeepers here, so....

Any of ya'll know of a good 258 builder, preferably near Fredericksburg? Looks like I'm going to have to part w/ the big bucks and have one rebuilt. (All else being the same, are the earlier 258's w/ heavier cranks & flywheels, a better engine than the later - lighter - ones? I know about the post-87 ones being 'easier' to mount the 4.0L HO head.)

I've got a lead on a supposed good rebuild business in Woodbridge (L & M Machine Shop off Rt. 1). He does 80% racing engines, w/ rest stock. I've talked to him (one man operation) and he seems knowledgeable enough, but does not know a whole lot about the 258 specifically. (like the 4.0L HO conversion, for instance.) He also opined that if I am not using the Jeep to race, I'd be wasting $250.00 to balance/blueprint the engine, and the high volume oil pump is overkill and can actually rob the crankshaft of oil if too much is pumped into top end and can not flow down quick enough. (Any opinions of these opinions?)

Other places nearby I might check out?

Many thanks for input!

 

[LEVE]

In reply to:

I've talked to him (one man operation) and he seems knowledgeable enough, but does not know a whole lot about the 258 specifically. (like the 4.0L HO conversion, for instance.) He also opined that if I am not using the Jeep to race, I'd be wasting $250.00 to balance/blueprint the engine, and the high volume oil pump is overkill and can actually rob the crankshaft of oil if too much is pumped into top end and can not flow down quick enough. (Any opinions of these opinions?)

[/ QUOTE ]1. Yep, I've got opinions.
2. $250 for the B&B would be well worth the money,
3. As it does help an engine stay together longer,
4. No mater the at what RPM the engine is normally run...
5. But I'd think you could do it for less cost...
6. I agree that the high volume oil pump is overkill,
7. Unless you install an oversize sump/oil pan.

 

[elusive]

2 years ago I rebuilt my first engine, and it was the 4.0 in my jeep. I followed what it said in the manual step by step and soon it was finished. Looking back I really enjoyed doing it and it really makes me proud to hear the engine run now.
I tought that while the work was meticulous, it really wasn't all that technical.

Anyone who can decipher a law book should have no problem with the build..... Besides, you have all of us to help.
I had good luck with some good folks at the hobby shop as well. It took me about 3 weeks worth of lunch hours and weekends to get it together.
I thought I'd be lucky to get a year out of it, but it's been well over 2 years and over 10000 off road miles.
I didn't balance my engine becuase I didn't expect it to run forever. I'm really not sure its a huge issue with the 7 big main bearings that a 258 has, or with the low rpms you usually turn.....though I regularly bounce the stroker off the rev limiter.
Obviously the engine MIGHT last longer if it's balanced, but my entire build cost under $1000, and thats with machine work to make the stroker and a $200+ cam.

 

[lindy80cj7]

B&B does make a better engine but is only as good as what you are attaching it to. IIMO anything that turns less than 5000RPM is not cost effective.

 

[mopar4ever]

What do you have as a starting point? Where do you want to take it as far as mods? Is it going to always be carbed? Is it giong to get a 4.0 head at some point? What is your time frame for completion? What is it going in? A lot of questions but necessary to get an idea of how we can help get you going with some bang for your buck. What kind of price have you been quoted for the job?

Jackie

 

[uglyjeepoffroad]

Do you already have an engine to rebuild or are you going to pull yours and rebuild it?
I have an early long block with the heavy crank and flywheel I need to sell and I am not too far from you. Pm me if you are interested.

 

[MarineOpLaw]

Elusive:
You're giving me a lot of credit I don't think I'm worthy of. But thanks nonetheless! Of course, I do have ya'll to fall back on. Actually, I did want to do it myself, but time and space limitations really have the squeeze on me. And, three little boys who are constantly clamoring for daddy's attention, and not to mention their little hands being so good at getting into/misplacing things... like engine parts laid out on a table (necessary for my ADD-plagued brain to get things right!). You got it right though, so far as having real satisfaction in doing something yourself - you've got to get a real thrill everytime you start up your 4.0. attaboy to you! I WILL do an engine myself... eventually, I am just not so sure now is a good time. We'll see... For now, I'm just going to rehab a seemingly decent engine I have to get me by, and then rebuild one for my other Scrambler to use as a trail Jeep. Hmmm... maybe I will try it myself if I do not have to worry about being w/o my DD. And of course, much depends on whether I get orders for this summer or not... and my monitor won't say one way or another yet.

I just love being in purgatory.

cjeep:
I have a number of starting points: either a '78 258 (w/ heavier crank/flywheel) or a couple of early-mid 80's 258s. (Is the 'heavier' '78 better in regards to inertial energy/torque?) I know the crank and bearing are trashed in the '78; no idea what the cylinders look like yet. I have not torn down the '80's engines yet, so I have no idea what they look like inside. I would go w/ an RV-type cam for low end power, and the HO head. Probably not do F.I. immediately, but rather go MC2100 carb. (My understanding is that if I want low-end power, doing high airflow things like performance intake/big carb/headers is NOT the way to go; rather stay w/ stock equipment.) Motor going into an '82 Scrambler w/ T-18 tranny/D300 TC. Max tire size: 33". I'm not a 'rock-crawler'; more a mud/hill/hunting areas kind of Jeep operator. Appears total cost is around $1200 (give or take).

Thanks for the offer UglyJeep - But, if I come into possession of anymore Jeep motors, I believe my wife could find the strength to somehow 'hide it' somewhere in my nether regions!

Couple of the guys on the Scrambler forum suggested geting up w/ Steve Johnson over @ JeepXtreme here in Fredericksburg. Anyone know him?

Thanks to all for info/encouragement/assistance.

 

[1446]

I've asked so many stupid questions as of recent... why stop now. I've heard this expression so many times throughout my life I couldn't even come close to remembering how many; "balanced & blueprinted"

What in the heck does that mean?

Ecome unbalanced? I gotsta know... this could be my big chance to clearing up a very foggy part of my life.

 

[elusive]

bloody, wen they balance an engine they take every part of the engine that rotates (crank, rods, pistons, flywheel etc) and balance them EXACTLY to match each other. this reduces minor vibrations which can shorten an engines life. In cars with engines running at their max potential, the minor differences can be enough to cause catastrophic failure (broken rods etc etc).