Newbie in need of advice and recipe

[cjackson3396]

Ok here goes... I have a 96 stock 4.0 HO motor in my XJ. Now that it has the suspension lift and 35 inch tires I wanna try and give it a little more pull under the hood. I have 2 choices...gears or stroker. Well I found a 4.0 engine that has been allready bored .060 and runs good. With the machine work allready done for me what all would I need to finish this Stroker. I am on a tight budget. I know I will need the 4.2 crank and Rods I beleive.

[Plechtan]

Please read the FAq Section

[cjackson3396]

K thanks...after what I was reading I'm still trying to figure what Crankshaft to use.. They said there is a difference and I didn't know what one to use with my manual tranny.

[Plechtan]

Several different cranks, but it really does not matter. If you end up with a long snout, you either need to have it cut down or buy a $35.00 spacer. All cranks with work with a manual trans.

[cjackson3396]

Thanks! ...that seems to be my search right now..i gotta find a crank and rods...

[mendelmax]

But it seems that for manual tranny a 12 counterweight crank will be a better choice, because of it's higher inertia. You will loose some throttle response, but it will be more difficult to shut it down by releasing the clutch. So that's the way I would go in this case.

[YJason]

But it seems that for manual tranny a 12 counterweight crank will be a better choice, because of it's higher inertia. You will loose some throttle response, but it will be more difficult to shut it down by releasing the clutch. So that's the way I would go in this case.

X2

[Plechtan]

A 12 counterweight crank was found in the mid seventives jeeps. Use http://www.car-part.com/ to locate one for a 1976 cj7.
I tried 2 times to get one from Rock Auto, one time they were out of stock, the other time they sent me a 4 counter weight even though i ordered the 12 cw. Some people have had luck with autozone or car quest. You may be able to find a core engine at a local junkyard or on Ebay.

It's not hard, it just take a a little work.

[cjackson3396]

K i found my parts...Going to start by the end of the month Any advice on what else I should do to it while it's apart...I on a tight budget so machine work probably outta the question

[mendelmax]

From the machine work I would definitely deck the block. It's not too expensive, and it can really help with performance (and can help to avoid pinging). I didn't do it and I regret it every day (sooner or later I will have to disassemble it and fix it), so take my advice.

Of course buy thin head gasket (victor reinz) for the same reason

[cjackson3396]

K thanks...A friend of mine says he will do it cheap...he also going to port and polish. so hopefully it works out...only problem I'm having now is the damn front driveshaft is knocking..and I just replaced all the ujoints through out the jeep lol

[gradon]

Dunno if it's the case w/ yours, but when I helped install a 6" lift on a buddy's 93 sahara, the front driveshaft had a tab that would kiss the exhaust. Buzzed it down with grinder and all was good.

[cjackson3396]

Thanks...I haven't been able to check it yet tho...going to have to quick i got up this morning and there was snow on the ground. Now that I'm getting into the stroker project what Cam would you recommend?

[mendelmax]

Since you are not going to do any machine work or custom pistons, you are going to have to look for a cam that will give you proper DCR. So first take the IVC angles from the table and check which one at yours configuration will give you proper DCR. Then from the range of cams that will fit you can choose the characteristic.

On the other hand, again, since it's a budget build, I think you will have to stick to near-stock or stock one, since you can't get new valve springs, roller rockers and all this hardcore-stuff

[cjackson3396]

What year crank should I use for the build??? I don't want to have to machine the crank down to fit.(Short nose...long nose)