Jeep Strokers

Well i am starting my first jeep stroker but I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here. Taking alot of info from other builds and and using them. I'm at the stage of debating between long vs short rod. I am picking up a 258 motor today so i will probably go with a short rod. I'm build a low rpm for an off roader. I don't think the side load pressure will effect my build much but wanted to ask this forum if there are any failures due to this. I have searched and there is a good bit of info saying that its not a problem until you start turning over 5000 rpms. Which i doubt it will rarely see. Opinions?

Piston side load is a non-issue with the 258 rods, and the 4.0L rods are only a 1/4" longer so they won't make a significant difference. My own stroker has the 258 rods and it's been running happily for almost 70k miles so far. Since you'll already have those from your 258 engine, you can buy a set of cheap cast pistons for your build instead of the more expensive forged items.
What's your budget for the stroker build? You could take a look at the stroker "recipes" that I have linked in my sig. and decide which one most closely suits your needs.

1500-2000. I have seen all those builds and can't quite remember which I'm going with. But I don't mind spending money on the Parts, I just rather spend it on proper machine and balancing the engine. I do have a question about heads. I have 92 motor that is running in my xj. I plan on buying another block so I can pull that one and drop the new one in. But I do plan on using the head. If I get the head work done which would inude a 3 angle vavle, job new springs, port and polish and ls1 valves. Would it hinder the performance to install it on my stock motor then just swap over to the new one when it comes time to swap them? Or should I just wait?

Just wait. That way you won't need to pay for another set of gaskets, oil, coolant, and the labor involved.
$1500-2000 won't get you very far so I suggest you copy my poor man's stroker recipe. At least you won't need to spend much on parts so you can put more into good machine shop work and porting the head.

Well I got majority of the parts and I have 100 bucks into it. I have to buy my block and I got a price on my machine work and it appears to be right around 700

Alright i started breaking the engine down today. Got to the harmonic balancer realized i don't have my puller anymore. Is there a homebrew method to get it off? Or should I just rent the tool?

Ive seen people screw up cranks trying different methods. I would recommend using the proper tool.

shdybrady wrote:Alright i started breaking the engine down today. Got to the harmonic balancer realized i don't have my puller anymore. Is there a homebrew method to get it off? Or should I just rent the tool?

Please, please, rent a puller and don't try any other redneck manoeuvre.

Dont worry i picked up the puller today lol.

Well i was a complete retard today. I pulled the balancer off and forgot to use the pressure point. It messed up the threads on the crankshaft. Can the machine shop drill and tap this. I wouldn't think a messed up thread would ruin a crank

I would think not, but its probably going to cost ya. Depending on how bad you boogered the threads up.

Alright this has been weighing on my mind. Im using a 4 weight crank, 4.2 rods out of an block and non forged pistons. With the proper machining and balancing, does this combo have the potential for longevity. With the proper break in and maintenance, i want this thing to have the ability to run for100,000-200,000 miles

Cheromaniac wrote:Just wait. That way you won't need to pay for another set of gaskets, oil, coolant, and the labor involved.
$1500-2000 won't get you very far so I suggest you copy my poor man's stroker recipe. At least you won't need to spend much on parts so you can put more into good machine shop work and porting the head.

this is what i had planned on spending on my stroker build also but i ended up spending more then 1,000 more then that, but dont tell my wife that , she still thinks i spend $1500 even tho my machine work was nearly 1,000 alone

Honestly 1500-2000 is just a guess. If its more then its more, its not that i have that set aside. If it becomes more then it will just take a few more paychecks to achieve it.

I'm building my first Stroker, and cost was a shocker. I'm having to replace a few items that most won't, as my Jeep's previous owner rode it hard and didn't do the proper maintenance. All in all, I'll be about $1,000 less than buying a long block sptoker.