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My New 73 Has A Bad Engine. Now What??

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Miami66, Mar 27, 2020.

  1. Mar 30, 2020
    tom h

    tom h New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Buffalo NY
    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    45
    Welcome , to find a jeep with a good body is more than half the battle. If you need a trans I have a 3 speed from a 74 cj5 with a 304 . Yours for the shipping from Buffalo NY. Good luck with your project. Tom Heidinger.
     
  2. Mar 30, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
    Messages:
    65
    Tom,

    Thank you! I might take you up on it. Is there a number I can call you tomorrow? Thanks again.

    Carlos
     
  3. Mar 31, 2020
    tom h

    tom h New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Buffalo NY
    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2006
    Messages:
    45
  4. Mar 31, 2020
    53A1

    53A1 Member

    Kern Co. Ca.
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    447
    IMO, I would say this is a great project to learn how to wrench on. If your not handy but want to learn that's ok. If you don't want to learn I would get something else because they always need something. I agree, a pristine tub on a Jeep is what interests me also. The reason being you usually have to pull the tub to do it right.
     
  5. Mar 31, 2020
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,083
    Ditto on what everyone is saying. Now is a great time to learn, so when it does break, you know how to fix it. Old vehicles are not like modern ones that can be brought anywhere and have fixed. The pool of shops that know how to set points or adjust carbs properly are less and less.
     
  6. Mar 31, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    I'm still curious to know what is "bad" about the engine. Is it seized? Most problems could be fixed for a much lower price point than a full rebuild. $2500 seems on the higher end of reasonable if you want to do a full rebuild.

    Additionally, I don't think you'd need a transmission rebuild, and even if you did, manual transmissions are super simple and can be done with regular hand tools. If you can read and follow a set of directions, you can rebuild your tranny.
     
  7. Mar 31, 2020
    Miami66

    Miami66 Member

    Gainesville, Fl
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2020
    Messages:
    65
    The transmission rebuild is $700. I figured since I will keep the Jeep at least 10 years might as well get it out of the way now along with the engine rebuild if need be. Mechanic mentioned low compression in the cylinders.

    carlos
     
  8. Mar 31, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,549
    Has your mechanic got the engine to run?
    How does he know the engine is bad? compression would have to be really bad for it not to run. Honestly I’d bet the engine is operable. Mechanic is bad,
    Just my op...
     
  9. Mar 31, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    $700 doesn't sound too bad to have the tranny rebuilt. Sounds like you have a solid plan, and once it's done you'll have a brand new jeep. Enjoy it and make sure you post pics! :D:beer:
     
  10. Mar 31, 2020
    Jeff Bromberger

    Jeff Bromberger Quarantined in the Garage

    Dallas Metroplex...
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2019
    Messages:
    202
    If all that you have is low compression, then it's an easy deal. I think it cost me $1200 for a complete top to bottom engine reprocessing, and that includes boring out all six cylinders (which you won't need to do), cleaning the tins (you may opt out of this), a complete valve job (you'd be silly not to get this) and finally all new parts (including new pistons, bearings, oil pump, harmonic dampener - you'd probably only need the bearings and rings).

    It's a major investment of time and conquering fear if you've never done it before. But it has less moving parts than you'd think and there's only one right way to put it back together... (y)
     
  11. Apr 1, 2020
    53A1

    53A1 Member

    Kern Co. Ca.
    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2008
    Messages:
    447
    Now's the time to jump in and learn or sell it. Go to Harbor Junk or borrow a compression tester from a friend or your local Autozone, read or watch on how to use the tool. Take some readings. Let us know what you find. LOTS of smart people on this site so you won't have a problem getting feedback. If the engine is really toast you have nothing to loose.

    FYI, I've had blocks that read low compression and they just had a stuck valve that I was able to work loose and turned out to be great engines. Sometimes a trans will have a stuck mechanism but the bearings and gears are fine.
     
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