Well... I decided to stab the stroker in. About a week ago my radiator took a crap and was in need of replacement or repair. I decided to take advantage of this opportunity and finally install the new engine. I do more reading than posting and want to thank all the knowledgeable people that are making this possible.
You would think that after a little over 2 years since me first starting to buy parts to about a week ago, I would have had all my ducks lined up with nothing left to purchase or get ready. Boy was I wrong, maybe it’s just my type 2 kicking in, but my list seems to grown by the day. I started off with removing the radiator and getting it to one of my local and only radiator repair shops. Fixed up the leak and combed the fins along with sandblasting my stock manifold to prep for paint all for $70. The following day I drove around to at least 6 stores and exhaust shops trying to locate an 18mm 02 sensor weld in bung for my wide band. 2-3 hours later I went to the only place I should have tried and got two for free.
When I came home I decided to pull the old engine, this went much faster and smoother then I expected partly due to the fact that I was forced to remove my front clip due to the height of the jeep. This made it possible to remove it fast and easy with only me and my gf as a safety spotter.
The following morning I began to get ready to put the new engine on the hoist. When I went to do the final torque on all the exhaust and intake bolts I came across a stripped out thread in the middle exhaust studs. This set me back several hours cleaning up and retapping to a larger diameter stud. Finally got everything back together and decided it was probably a wise idea to pressure check the fuel rail seeing how it would be much easier to repair out of the vehicle rather than in it. It’s a good thing I did as it was leaking at the braze between the rail and the purge fitting where I have my fuel pressure gauge mounted. I fired up the torch and tried to get it patched up with little success. So I ripped the old rail of my stock engine, sandblasted, washed, and painted it. Never did stab the engine in that night.
The next night I finally got the engine on the hoist, threw the flex plate on and got it in. Being by myself, it was quite the task with no leveler but with a bottle jack under the trans and my standard jack under the front of the oil pan with a block of wood I was able to get the angle needed.
With only a few hours each day after work it’s been a long painful process. Last night I made 4 trips to the store trying to find a good length for my new belt routing. For anybody who decides to take on a new belt routing endeavor and you’re going to use a new length. Save your last belt, cut it and use it to take your measurements. My fancy twine trick is not reliable and stretches too much for an accurate measurement. I ended up with a 77inch belt which is significantly shorter than the stock and extremely easy to route.
Tonight I am going to wrap up all the vacuum lines and some missolanious wiring that I have to do for some sensors, wideband and new alternator. From there I should be able to index the dist (thanks to dwg86 for your tip) prime the pumps and hopefully be able to fire it up Sat morning if weather permits.
Bla… Bla… Bla…
I know everyone has heard of different ways to break in the cam and lifters vs. seating the rings, but I’m curious what a trust worthy process is for these engines. I have been told by several people that I should fire it up, give it a few blurps while checking pressures, A/F ratio, and leaks, and if all is well bring it up to 2-2.5k for about 15min. Turn it off, drain the oil, split the filter and inspect, refill and hit the open road and drive for a good amount of time varying the RPM, load, and speed, while being gentle on it. No wide open throttle, no full pulls, and no heavy loads for the first 1000 miles, and do an oil change at 500 miles. Does this sound right? Do you guys recommend something different? Any help would be appreciated.
I’ll get some better pics up here tonight or tomorrow.
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. And i'm out $110 sum odd dollars which was a fraction of the overall build cost and i have a spare bag of Hesco springs and caps.
