Which rebuild kit?

[jeepjerry]

Stroker newbie here with a question. Im building a poor mans 4.5 l stroker for my 81 wagoneer. Ive got a 96 4.0 along with a low mileage 80' 258 for the donor. It will be carbed with a offy 4bb/ 390 holly and run a stock 4.0 header. Also have a dui hei to run in it. The 4.0 is in excellent shape so i wont be boring it out, just honing and replacing the pistons and rings. The compression ratio doesnt bother me since its carbed and not a daily driver.

Heres my question. Its proably came up around here but i didnt see it in the FAQ's. Ive been looking to buy a rebuild kit for my 4.0 which i believe is a 96 engine. Ive found rebuild kits listed for 87-95 4.0s and 96-up 4.0s. What changed between 95 and 96? I dont know if i need the 96-up kit for my 4.0 block and pistons, or the 95 and older kit for my older 258 crank and rods.

Flatlander racing's website lists all sorts of different kits for different years also.

Thanks.

[IH 392]

The main bearings are the main difference, they moved the locating tang in the block, there are some gasket differences in the various year models too. Get the kit for the year of block your using, the cranks don't care.
Make sure you have the crank sizes and bore size before you order your kit.
You'll have to relocate the intake manifold dowels on the 4.0 head to use the 258 intake.

[jeepjerry]

Ahhhh, ok. All the 96-up kits are more expensive too but oh well. I have to bring my mic home and measure the crank.

Yeah ive adapted a 258 manifold onto a 4.0 head before when i did a 4.0 head swap on my 84 Eagle.

Thanks.....