GOOD MOTOR? OR BAD?

[XJ2NV]

i was looking at a jeep cherokee (xj) 86.. and it had a V-6 not a strait 6 and it was carborated with about 190k on it....my buddy doesnt know about jeeps and he said that the motor is junk and they have lots of problems like (blowing head gaskets,and shit like that) just woundering if any one knew about these motors and how good or bad they are... thanks anthony XJ2NV PLEASE WRITE ME BACK IF YOU KNOW I NEED THE HELP THANKS AGAIN


:NAXJA:

[Cornflake]

I have no personal experience with anything but the 4.0, but what you have is most likely the GM 2.8 liter V-6. Pretty gutless with 115 horsepower stock.

[XJ2NV]

ya that is what it is i was just woundering how good they were for wheeling and shit like that...i also heard that they have lots of probles too thanks for the reply

[Cornflake]

Yeah after a little searching on here, it appears to be a pretty crappy engine.

[fizassist]

Yeah after a little searching on here, it appears to be a pretty crappy engine.

Searching...how novel. :D

[xjbrian219]

Yeah after a little searching on here, it appears to be a pretty crappy engine.

its GM, what did you expect? :laugh:

[XJPhoenix]

On the other hand, if it's dirt cheap and in great shape, you could take the road less travelled and think about this...

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Project_XJ/Project_XJ.htm

It's a pretty good site that has lots of neat (and cheap!) info on XJ's; but more importantly, it has info on swapping in a 3.4 litre V6 into a 2.8-equipped XJ. A good option for what most folks view as a dead end Jeep.

Personally, I'd just look elsewhere for a good 2.5 4-banger or 4.0 six-pack, but I'm kinda lazy and have no money.

:)

[Brett M]

Stick with a 4.0. My first Cherokee was a 2.8 V6 and I would never go back to that after having my 4.0's.

[lighthouse jim]

I had an MJ with the v6. It was lacking in power, somewhat, but it did good by me. I got nearly 300K out of it. Just like with the 4.0, you can improve upon it with bolt on parts--upgrade the intake, exhaust, wiring...You won't get the horsepower that the 4.0 gives, but I found the mileage was a bit better. I used mine as a work truck and it pulled some heavy loads without balking. If the price is good, have at it and have fun.

[IslanderOffRoad]

that motor makes an excellent boat anchor

[XJ2NV]

well....it is 550 for the xj and the body is clean and so is interior....but leaks lil oil and needs a trans (auto) but it is clean and on non opp. like i said wit 190k on it

[bajacalal]

I wouldn't bother with it... I don't think its worth the $550 if it needs a lot of work and a new transmission. You could probably find a newer model for a little more. That motor turned out to be a complete dud for GM, I had one in another vehicle. Its gutless (a newer 4 cylinder XJ with MPFI has a higher HP rating) and they leak oil like a sieve. IIRC there is a design defect with the 2.8 where the back of the intake manifold did not seal well against the block and oil leaks.

[nick86]

Just my 2 cents, I had an 89 firebird w/ 2.8 w/ fuel injection. It ran hard, in fact my buddy bought a 91 firebird w/ a v-8 and was so pissed that I could hang w/ him in acceration. I never had any probs w/ the 2.8.

[XJ2NV]

well doing a motor swap is something i will probably do down the road but not now i just want something to have fun in and not get stuck all the damn time thats all for now then maby a motor swap later on down the road i think ima hold off on that xj...and try to find a strait 6 because that is what i want....

[XJPhoenix]

It's hard to pass up those 'deal of the year' Jeeps, trust me, I know. But you're smart to hold out for a Jeep that's already got all (or most) of the components you're going to want in one package.

It's hard though, letting it slip by...

:)

[Hella-XJ]

Ive never had good like with the 2.8V6, and ive heard that once they start to go its all down hill you best bet if you "just had to have the jeep" is drop a 4.0.
-Keep Jeepin

[XJ2NV]

yeah but how much will it cost to do it and were can i find a 4.0....will it pass smog??? i will do it but i want it to pass smog and not be too expencive you know

[HossHoffer]

I had an '86 2.8l v6. It is not a great wheeling motor and was never meant to be. It makes a fairly decent daily driver, out performing the 2.5l I4 on the road. If you are so inclined swap in the 3.4l but even then you will never match the off road performance of the 4.0l I6. Count your pennies and figure out if you would spend more swapping in another engine or buying one with the 4.0l. My guess is that you can find a 4.0 cheaper than what the engine swap will cost you (unless of course you have one sitting around). And remember it has to come from a rear wheel drive vehicle. One other thing. The early model XJs had horrible problems with the hydraulic clutches. On the other hand, you will never feel remorse about modifying the holy crap out of it and cutting it up nicely.

[XJPhoenix]

Unfortunately, dropping a 4.0 into the 1984-1986 models is harder than most folks think. AMC changed the firewall and parts of the front clip/rad area to accommodate the much longer 4.0 litre.

Plus, there's wiring, sensors, etc...

On the other hand, there are TONS of 4.0 XJ's out there. You can get them cheap and if you live in an area where there's salt & snow, you can get one with a great drivetrain that's rotted out for pennies on the dollar. I'd suggest the 1991-1995 engine and related bits; if you're gonna do it once, do it with an engine that has better support. (Aftermarket that is.)

:)

[jmw1]

I've owned my '86 (2.8L, auto) for nine years. Mine actually runs pretty well for what it is. It's never thrown a rod or blown a head gasket but it isn't a very powerful motor and the carb can sometimes act up off road when you would least like for it to happen. For no more than they cost anymore, you would probably be happier with a newer one with a 4.0L.

Mike

[XJ2NV]

well guys i found a xj near my house and it is ok all stock but it is a 4.0 so thats good i havent looked at it that much but is ok needs a driver fender (lil damage) and bumper is messed up (front) and needs a starter....700$$ what you think???? it is clean on the inside and auto trans. out side is ok little dents and scratches but ok in my book it has 2538251 miles is that ok for the 4 leiter motor????

[Cornflake]

what year?

[XJ2NV]

im not sure i think at least a 88 but i dont know i will get back when or if i get it and tell more when i find out is that mileage ok for the motor tho????

[Cornflake]

that's okay. you shouldn't have to work on it for awhile if it's been taken care of. these engines can easily go 300k before and overhaul.

[XJPhoenix]

Check for rust. XJ's go soft at the rockers, rear quarter panel (behind the rear tires), driver's side floor, around the leaf-spring forward mount, and the bottoms of the doors.

If the floors are solid, it runs well, and the 4wd works, I'd say go for it. $700 is about average for an older XJ, and they can surprise you with just how durable they really are.

Oh, a few tips on figuring out the vintage of an XJ...

Check the throttle-body; if it's bolted down with three bolts than it's an '87-'90 vintage Jeep. If the Grille has ten slots, then it's an '87 (seven means it's '88-'90 or that the PO swapped in a later grille.) If it has 3 point seatbelts in the rear, then it's a '90 XJ.

:)

[sidewys xj]

Junk compared to the I6

[XJ2NV]

Check for rust. XJ's go soft at the rockers, rear quarter panel (behind the rear tires), driver's side floor, around the leaf-spring forward mount, and the bottoms of the doors.

If the floors are solid, it runs well, and the 4wd works, I'd say go for it. $700 is about average for an older XJ, and they can surprise you with just how durable they really are.

Oh, a few tips on figuring out the vintage of an XJ...

Check the throttle-body; if it's bolted down with three bolts than it's an '87-'90 vintage Jeep. If the Grille has ten slots, then it's an '87 (seven means it's '88-'90 or that the PO swapped in a later grille.) If it has 3 point seatbelts in the rear, then it's a '90 XJ.

:)

THANKS that is good to know sence im new to the whole jeep thing??? my friends are saying that they dont wheel good because the uni body? and the toyota would be a better wheeler? i like the look of the xjs and i love jeeps... but i love to wheel am i gonna run into hella problems because of the uni body? and if so i can always make some kind of frame correct?

[XJPhoenix]

I've never done that heavy off-roading that I've had problems, but if you'd like ideas on what to expect/what to reinforce, look up JeepSpeed. It's a Cherokee-only desert racing series that runs most everything from stock, to near-stock, to not-stock.

The uni-body can develop cracks if it's tested severely, but can be reinforced by adding plating to key points. Adding reinforcements from the frame 'rails' (they're welded to the floor) to the pinch seam on the rocker will stiffen it right up too. Adding a good solid bumper front & rear will add rigidity; and an internal rollcage will also stiffen your XJ big time.

Honestly, I'd prefer the XJ because it's a good all-around wheeler. Sure, the Toyota has a body-on-frame design, but the XJ has a solid axle in the front; something most Toyota wheelers usually swap in. In the end, both rigs have their merits, both have strong points and weak points, but I prefer the XJ for it's simplicity, reliability, and cost. Plus, I like the way they look and ride.

Run a few searches on XJ body protection, frame/body reinforcement, and the like here and on the web; you'll see that some 1/8" plate in the right areas can do wonders for your Jeep.

:)

[XJ2NV]

that is what i wanted to know about thanks i have done little searching on the web but im pretty sure i know what ima do to my xj thanks bro... i will probably be asking alot more questions so thank you to those that are answering them i apreciate it alot

[XJPhoenix]

No problems!

Always happy to help.

:)