derekj
Full Access Member
I'm sure you would be able to install some used heads - personally I only like doing a job like that once but it is your decision on what route you want to go.
Oil on plug. Chasing codes.
- Thread starter Jhkj04
- Start date
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I’m leaning to pulling the motor, taking that chance to do the main seal, oil pan, head gaskets with these used replacement heads and sticking a torque converter in then driving her. It was shuttering at low rpm in 2-3-4 gears when I drove it on 5 cylinders. Should I do the timing chains while it’s out?
derekj
Full Access Member
Up to you - are they noisy? What is the mileage on your engine?
duderz7
Full Access Member
Looks like fun!
This is the only thread I know of where someone finished (I think they did anyway) a V8 swap on a KJ. There have been many that tried and ran out of gas along the way. Hope you can finish yours!
Oh man that guy went full custom with a 302 ford not even a 4.7. It seams easier with a 4.7 and a 45rfe trans that I don’t have. Swapping trans, Pcm and ecm are prob my no go lines. Doesn't sound terrible but will take longer than I want for now. So far my 3.7 cylinder walls look good so I may keep pushing to get it back in service.
derekj
Full Access Member
Good on ya for pulling the motor out - makes the job much easier. Keep us updated!
Yea I tried the nickels and dimes approach and finally said done. It’s not a daily and I found a buddy with a puller. It’s way easier out and that 3.7 wasn’t bad to pull. Kicking myself for not doing it in November before the lift. Right now I’m looking to do a TQ ordered a reman for $99 a TQ seal to be safe, rear main , oil pan gasket, timing chains and guides I did find one guide broken might be connected to the dropped rocker and stuck exhaust valve I had, new head gaskets, I cracked the oil pump on disassemble I believe so new one of those, I found what was called a set of “good running heads” to clean up and reinstall. I know I had a leaking head gasket on the driver then thought a dropped exhaust valve seat pass So I ordered these in. $50-$50 shipping total was $180. On disassembly I don’t see a dropped valve seat and this issue may have been carbon build up holding that valve open after throwing the rocker. Eitherway using the new to me heads new valve seals, the best 12 springs and rockers I see and running it with the matched valves in now. And I don’t see any damage to the crank so far. If anyone sees anything shout it out. Prob 3 - 4 more days of cleaning funk and lightly cleaning the heads and gasket surfaces plus waiting on parts before reassembling next week. And once it’s done I owe this page a full photo thank you I’ll post a new thread or in what did you do to your liberty today. From the lift to some parts and now getting it running right this has been the spot.
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derekj
Full Access Member
Inside of the engine looks good - someone changed their oil on a regular basis.
Getting close. Should have had the heads back on and timing down last week and didn’t love it. Ran the head bolt sequence of 20ft then 90 and 90 but poured oil around the cams and it leaked from the head gasket. Didn’t trust the brand of gasket and bolts so took it apart and am going with fel-pro for all. Thought I had a deal $25 from Amazon on the gaskets and just for fun they shipped me an empty box. Not kidding. Had to go local for $50 each and we are half done. Question has anyone run the torque and felt one bolt was loose? #4 head bolt just seamed not as tough on the bolt md of the second 90 degree turn. Maybe it’s me.
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Yea I cleaned out the holes and piles the new bolts. Also ran in the old bolts as a practice run before putting the head on. It might just be it was the 4th in a square box and after the other 3 number 4 didn’t need as much power.
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derekj
Full Access Member
You have new head bolts right? Are they Fel-Pro?
All fel-pro. First start up mixed review. Motor sounds good started right up. Still has the old check engine codes I need to clear and it’s got allot of smoke out the exhaust. Only let it warm up to temp until tomorrow. Thought I just fixed that.
derekj
Full Access Member
It's probably just burning some coolant out of the exhaust from when you pulled the head off.
Getting better. Not fogging the hole garage now and actually running well. I cleared codes and almost got home then it popped p0839 p0068. Weird 0839 because it’s manual 4x4 shift so not a real switch to go bad. Also I recall that code coming up years ago when my dad drove this liberty. 0068 is odd as I have a new mass air flow sensor, new tps and a new iacv. I guess I need to track vacuum leaks and I did swap air filters from the box to a cone filter.
