Jeep Strokers

Hey folks, Patrick here. Long time lurker, built a 4.7 for my Cherokee and now onto my second stroker build currently in process. I have a question about the valves, since the machine shop found many of the intake valves and a few exhaust valves are no good.

Here are the engine specs and platform:

-block bored 0.060 over, 944 icon pistons 21cc dish
-12ctw 3214723 crankshaft, 0.030 undersize mains and 0.010 rod bearings
-6.125 rods, ARP rod bolts
-0630 head, milled 0.008 for straightness, port matched to intake and exhaust manifold
-high volume oil pump

All going into a '94 cherokee with a 4" lift, 35" baja claws and 4.10 D30/D35 that is daily driven 5000-7500 miles per year.

The machine shop found all but one intake valve to be ruined from poor oil change intervals or bent from the destruction of the original engine. A few exhaust valves were also worn excessively from lack of regular oil changes. I've read on here about SBC valves and LS1 valves being used in place of the Mopar valvetrain. I'm planning to use the stock camshaft with this build, and I'm curious if anyone has a suggestion for new valves, locks, keepers and springs I could use for this build. Also, I'm trying to source a factory camshaft and was wondering if there are any common manufacturers of OEM cams? Looking for a '96-'06 cam.

I used 1.94/1.50 undercut, stainless steel sbc valves in my stroker. I bought them new off ebay pretty inexpensive. They were really close to being the same length. Ream the guides to fit the 11/32 valves. Then you can use any spring/retainer combo you want. My machinist installed hardened exhaust seats.

Dodge Magnum V8 valves are nearly a drop in.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. The machine shop wants to finish the machine work before the end of January, so I'm in a rush to find a reasonable combination of parts for the valvetrain.

Melling and Sealed Power offer stock cams.
Longer valves will give you more valve spring options if you later decide to use a performance cam.
Heads may need to be machined for the specific springs you decide to use which depend on what valves you use...so plan ahead.

Longer valves (or should i say long enough?) will also mess up the valve to rocker geometry unless you shim the rocker.

Retlaw01XJ wrote:Melling and Sealed Power offer stock cams.
Longer valves will give you more valve spring options if you later decide to use a performance cam.
Heads may need to be machined for the specific springs you decide to use which depend on what valves you use...so plan ahead.

The length of the valves is not the problem with the jeep 4.0 and spring selection. It's the stem diameter(8mm), location of the valve groove (close to the tip), type of groove(the groove is round not square), and the 8 degree locks(most aftermarket retainers are 7 or 10 degree). You also can't use a spring that is too large in diameter. The Mopar performance springs will hit the valve cover and they are 1.42 dia.