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I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 14th, 2019, 12:37 pm
by lweller
Hi guys,
I have been looking at this forum for months and have finally decided to make an account. I want to stroke my 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 to a 4.2 with the 0.060 bore and a 232 crank with a 3.500 stroke. I notice however that a lot of parts differ between the years of engines so here are my questions.
1. What camshaft kit should I get? The wilder-mini stroker kit calls for a CompCams 68-235-4 which is fine, but any kit that comes with that cam doesn’t work for my engine due to different sized locks and springs, not to mention valve stems
1A. I notice a lot of cams stating that it will only work on my year of 4.0 if it is carbureted, is this just to save themselves from the potential problems with vacuum or is something more serious going on here? If it is the former, I’ll invest in a vacuum reservoir to keep the MAP happy
2. Do I have to get a specific year or model of the 232 crank? There are plenty of years for this crank on rock auto so that’s not too much of a problem
3. Is there any way I can upgrade the silv-o-lite UEM-2229 0.060 pistons to pop up pistons (around 5cc) so I can run a nice ~10:1 compression ratio?
4. Is there any way I can upgrade the cam from what the recipe calls for? I was looking at the 68-232-4 with 603-12 cam locks, 962-12 CompCam springs, and 7 degree valve spring retainers from CompCams which are 744-12. I like this kit way more as it comes with a timing set as well.

So to conclude, I’m mainly wondering if I have to be worried about any surprises with my 1998 block and what I should do for the cam as a lot of cam kits that stroker kit recipes call for don’t fit on my engine. Thanks so much in advance! And happy Jeeping my guys!
Liam

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 12:24 am
by Cheromaniac
The 68-235-4 cam works fine on EFI engines so have no worries, but I advise that you opt for the Mopar Performance 5249464 valve springs with matching retainers and keepers if you go for this cam.
The smaller 68-243-4 cam will trade away torque (and HP) at higher rpm and yield more at lower rpm. Russ Pottenger can supply you with a modified version with reduced valve lift that allows the use of stock valve springs.
The Silvolite 2229 pistons only need a light polishing of the piston dishes but you can otherwise run them as they come out of the box.
The 232 crank from a '72-'79 CJ5 is the one you'll need for your 4.2 mini-stroker.

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 8:04 am
by lweller
Cheromaniac wrote: April 15th, 2019, 12:24 am The 68-235-4 cam works fine on EFI engines so have no worries, but I advise that you opt for the Mopar Performance 5249464 valve springs with matching retainers and keepers if you go for this cam.
The smaller 68-243-4 cam will trade away torque (and HP) at higher rpm and yield more at lower rpm. Russ Pottenger can supply you with a modified version with reduced valve lift that allows the use of stock valve springs.
The Silvolite 2229 pistons only need a light polishing of the piston dishes but you can otherwise run them as they come out of the box.
The 232 crank from a '72-'79 CJ5 is the one you'll need for your 4.2 mini-stroker.
Thanks for your speedy reply. When you state that the 68-235-4 cam works with the matching Mopar locks and springs, I assume you’re referring to my last question that asks about the compatibility of the CompCams 68-232-4? And about the efi, that’s kind of what I figured so thanks for affirming me on that. In terms on the piston, I didn’t state my question clear enough although I do appreciate your answer. I was wondering with the 232 crank and boring it out to 0.060 if there was any way that I could get pistons that would reduce my chamber size by about 5cc, putting my compression ratio at a nice 10:1. Otherwise, I appreciate your seemingly altruistic knowledge on stroking out the 4.0. Have a good day!

Also, there should be no surprises using a 98 setup? I’d be reusing all the manifolds and heads, not to mention all the accessories. My goal is to change the crank, pistons, and cam with a nice head port, but that’s pretty much it. Thanks!

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 9:49 am
by Cheromaniac
Just to clarify, you need these parts to go with the 68-235-4 cam and you could also use them with the 68-232-4:

Mopar Performance valve springs P5249464, retainers P4452032, & locks P4529218

4.2L Wilder mini-stroker

AMC 232 3.500" stroke crank
Jeep 4.0L 6.125" rods
Silvolite UEM-2229 +0.060" bore pistons
9.6:1 CR
CompCams 68-235-4 210/218 degree camshaft
Russ Pottenger ported HO 2.00"/1.55" 62cc cylinder head
Mopar/Victor 0.043" head gasket
0.040" quench height
Ford 24lb/hr injectors for '96-'04 engines
268hp @ 5300rpm, 303lbft @ 3900rpm

A stock head has a ~57cc chamber so you could simply maintain that chamber volume to achieve a ~10.0:1 CR.

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 10:01 am
by Russ Pottenger
The AMC 232 engine was in production between 1964 to 1979
The crankshaft that you need was produced between 72 to 79 casting # 3214722. The late crank had a “C” Ring on the flywheel flange. The earlier crank was flat.

The 2229 would be the piston of choice. Although you’ll be stretching the limits of running this on pump gas, there’s no problem getting to your static compression ratio of 10.0:1 with this piston.
You’ll need to surface approximately .015 off the head and run the thinner .043 head gasket.

As Dino stated You’ll need to run an upgraded spring/retainer for the Comp 235 cam because it’s valve left is beyond the capabilities of a stock valve spring.

Comp makes a camshaft that has the same specs as the 68-232-4 but with reduced lift that a stock valve spring will handle.

You’re welcome to email me or shoot me a call I’ll be happy to give you further information and pricing on this kit.

Thanks,
Russ Pottenger
Bishop-Buehl Racing Engines
531 N. Lyall Avenue
West Covina, California 91790
Work (626) 967-1000
Cell (626) 673-2203
Email/PayPal: [email protected]

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 10:13 am
by lweller
Cheromaniac wrote: April 15th, 2019, 9:49 am Just to clarify, you need these parts to go with the 68-235-4 cam and you could also use them with the 68-232-4:

Mopar Performance valve springs P5249464, retainers P4452032, & locks P4529218

4.2L Wilder mini-stroker

AMC 232 3.500" stroke crank
Jeep 4.0L 6.125" rods
Silvolite UEM-2229 +0.060" bore pistons
9.6:1 CR
CompCams 68-235-4 210/218 degree camshaft
Russ Pottenger ported HO 2.00"/1.55" 62cc cylinder head
Mopar/Victor 0.043" head gasket
0.040" quench height
Ford 24lb/hr injectors for '96-'04 engines
268hp @ 5300rpm, 303lbft @ 3900rpm

A stock head has a ~57cc chamber so you could simply maintain that chamber volume to achieve a ~10.0:1 CR.
Thanks! I didn’t even think about not porting the heads to maintain a good compression ratio. You really helped me out with the part numbers! And I am using your recipe so thanks for that as well.

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 10:15 am
by lweller
Russ Pottenger wrote: April 15th, 2019, 10:01 am The AMC 232 engine was in production between 1964 to 1979
The crankshaft that you need was produced between 72 to 79 casting # 3214722. The late crank had a “C” Ring on the flywheel flange. The earlier crank was flat.

The 2229 would be the piston of choice. Although you’ll be stretching the limits of running this on pump gas, there’s no problem getting to your static compression ratio of 10.0:1 with this piston.
You’ll need to surface approximately .015 off the head and run the thinner .043 head gasket.

As Dino stated You’ll need to run an upgraded spring/retainer for the Comp 235 cam because it’s valve left is beyond the capabilities of a stock valve spring.

Comp makes a camshaft that has the same specs as the 68-232-4 but with reduced lift that a stock valve spring will handle.

You’re welcome to email me or shoot me a call I’ll be happy to give you further information and pricing on this kit.

Thanks,
Russ Pottenger
Bishop-Buehl Racing Engines
531 N. Lyall Avenue
West Covina, California 91790
Work (626) 967-1000
Cell (626) 673-2203
Email/PayPal: [email protected]
Thanks for your input, I really do appreciate it. Is surfacing the head absolutely necessary? And yes, I understand that I’ll be at least running mid grade gas now and I fully accept that. Thanks so much!

Re: I need help selecting parts

Posted: April 15th, 2019, 12:58 pm
by Russ Pottenger
Although It’s seldom I’m at the very least doing s minimum surface on a head I’m rebuilding, it’s not absolutely necessary if as long it is flat and you’re not trying to reduce the combustion chamber volume.

If you’re midgrade fuel is something around 89 to 90 octane, i’d suggest you might reconsider running a static compression ratio as high as 10.0:1 unless you start pulling some timing out or dumping in more fuel.

My .02