258 Rebuild

I am looking to rebuild my 258. I am still debating to do it myself, have it done, or trade my core for a complete one. I did a search and could not find any info on a rebuild. Does anyone have any opinions either way. Is there a link to a guide or so to gather some thoughts and obtain some rough prices for the different options.

 

The 'best' rebuilt motor supplier is probably Jasper http://www.jasperengines.com/ - at least they have the best reputation. Autozone also sells rebuilt motors, and is probably the price leader. You can also shop around for a local shop that will do the work. Ask if they do the work on the premises or outsource complete engines or short blocks.

If you're thinking of doing it yourself, you have to have the time and resources - specifically a place to work. It's not hard and your results will be good if you are meticulous and measure everything. You'll also need to buy some tools, so your costs will be higher than just the machining costs and parts. Tom Monroe's book is a good place to start: http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Bld-Hd..._bbs_sr_1/102-6419933-4136159?ie=UTF8&s=books Take a look at the book and see if you are up to it.

 

If you want opinions about your options, it would be helpful to post some more details. Do you have access to a garage and room to work, what can you afford, do you have another car or truck to drive, do you have access to a pickup to carry the engine to and from the shop, how long does this engine need to last, what is the condition of the engine now (compression and oil pressure), and so forth.

Repair of the engine is one possibility (rings, valves, rod bearings) or another used engine. 258s are cheap and plentiful on the used market.

 

Timgr has very valid points and w/o knowing more its tough to give a complete answer. Of the three options you suggest, I would do the third. It'll be hard to beat the price of a reman shortblock, even doing it yourself (unless you own a machine shop). This way you'll get a crack checked and reconditioned block w/ a completely new rotating assembly to start with. Their are several ideas to upgrade the 258, but all involve more $$. Good luck w/ whatever you choose.:v6:

 

I went to autozone and traded in my core and got a reman for $1100 they ordered it and had it in 3 days which is way faster than rebuilding one and it has a 3 year warranty.

 

I have not bought an engine from Autozone, but I have heard a few horror stories about their engines. They compete on price, so you aren't going to get the highest quality product, and they are factory assembled across the border AFAIK. If you go with an Autozone engine and get through a few thousand miles, you've probably got a good one. However, the chance of crib death will be fairly high (in comparison to Jasper or a local rebuild).

If you want a short block, see if a local shop will rebuild your block. If your engine is running now, it will almost certainly be a good core. Plus, having the original block stay with the Jeep appeals to me, and the build date on the block will be correct for your vehicle.

 

I don't know about now but 6 years ago Autozones engines were built in the states, usually by company's similar to Jasper. They did compete on price though. A friend of mine bought one for his S10, it came from masterbuilt here in Birmingham, it was a horror story and a piece of crap. It dropped a valve at about 60 mph on the interstate, at somewhere around 1200 miles, at that speed it totally destroyed the motor. He fouhgt Autozone tooth and nail to no avail. He finally got a junkyard core and had it rebuilt by a local shop.

 

X2 on the last two posts. If you get one from there and make it through a few thousand miles then you have gotten a good one, but I have heard a ton of stories and have also had to do work on some of the bad ones. Autozone stands behind those warranties in some cases and replaces the engine, but what you have out of pocket is the time or expense of having to pull the bad engine back out, and put a new one in that might end up with the exact same results. I'd do a rebuild, but I also have the tools, time, and space to do it. If you don't have all that, then you would probably be better off going with a Jasper. Just my .02

 

Thanks for all the time and input. I went ahead and bout the book timgr suggested. After flipping through it all it looks appealing and doable. I do have the time and space to work (as long as I let the wife park in the garage every now and then). I do not want to spend a lot of money, but then I do not want to have to sacrifice quality or durability and do it again in a few years. I never checked the compression before I pulled it for the rebuild. Also, I do not know if there will be a problem with my core as one of the tabs to connect the bell housing has broken off. I still have the piece and do not know it that will make it an unworthy core for trade. It ran well for the week I drove it - I dove into the rebuild a little too quick probably. I didn't set out to rebuild it, just to vacuum the old carpet and one thing let to another.
Anyway, I hope this clarifies the questions and can add to the suggestions/options.

 

I say go for it if you are up to it! It may not end up being the best or most economical, but the knowledge and experience is priceless, and you will have bonded with the Jeep and the engine!

I just spent the last several daysreplacing most of the outer engine pieces on my Dodge truck and I am glad I chose to do it myself. I know everything that went into every new piece and I can drive it down the road with real pride (it wasnt running for a long time)

 

i would stay away from kragens and autozone. if i were you, i would do it myself. 258's are simple engines to work on, and when you install it, at least you know whats inside the engine mechanicaly

 

Good Job, kept my core as well. Mine was at 100K and rebuilt it and went .040 over. Grunt runs fine ay 165K and going strong with Headman headers. Holly four barrel with Offenhquser intake. The Rancho 4" lift and now I am rebuilding the Dana 20 Transfer case and working on redoing my gearing. I have a lathe and will rework everything I can and built the rest and get w/ Novac Mqachine Works. So far so Good! Semper Fi and Great Job on your very nice ride! Gunner (USMC, ret MGySSgt.)

 

I always pondered wether to eventually get my 258 done locally or buy one from Advance Auto. I am leaning towards locally done buy someone reputable because I order a YF carb from Advance Auto and it came with a leaking float. This is tollerable in my carb but not in my engine. I'm going to have to play it safe. They do stand by their stuff though and will get you an exchange aslong as you don't open it up. My friend got two 2.5L engines there and hes had good luck both times.

And as far as getting your core exchange...its going to depend on who you end up getting at the counter. I've had problems and just kept going to different locations until they took it.