4.0 into an early XJ (85)

GA90XJ · Jan 1, 2010

I did a search but didn't hit on this subject.
The issue is my 90 XJ with the 4.0 and AW4 has been rolled. A while back I found an 85 with the 2.8 that is blown.
My task at hand is finding the pitfalls in swaping the 4.0 and AW4 into the 85. I know I will need to change out the core support and electrical.
Are there an bigger issues I need to address before starting?

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

bdiamond · Jan 1, 2010

I have heard the firewalls are different. Since the engine offerings were a 4 cylinder and a V-6 the recess didn't need to be near as deep as what the inline 6 required.

tbburg · Jan 1, 2010

Not just the fire wall, also the front cross member is different. It's supposed to be a lot of work to shoe-horn the 4.0 in the old engine bay, but I've never seen a conversion, and don't know how hard it really is.

Might be easier to find a later model 3.4 to swap in place of the 2.8, then convert to the late engine bay config.

Goatman · Jan 1, 2010

Few have tried it because it's just not feasible. It's difficult to do because the sheetmetal is different, and 87+ XJ's with 4.0's are so cheap it's just not worth the hassle.

souske · Jan 1, 2010

x2 on the 87+ I was in the same situation with my 96. I found an 87 that was being parted out. After selling the extra 30 that came with the new body, it was only $80!

Start hunting!

GA90XJ · Jan 1, 2010

Thanks for the feed back.
After doing some rough measurements you confirmed what I came up with.

Thanks again!!

tbburg · Jan 1, 2010

Sorry 'bout that. Still, if you're up for a swap, and the 2.8 is cheap enough, there are a lot of V-6 and V-8 engines that drop right in there.

4.0 into an early XJ (85)

GA90XJ

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bdiamond

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tbburg

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Goatman

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souske

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GA90XJ

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tbburg

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