The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk need help on 89 Jeep 4 cylinder

A friend just locked up her 89 Jeep 4 cylinder. I need to get it going for her and need help. Is this a AMC engine? Was it used in other models? I plan on trying to find a used engine. I need help on this one. Any other options besides a Jeep? Thanks.

I Once rebuilt a blown 4 cyl like that. First engine I did all the way! I had hard time finding replacement also. Think that is Jeep's own design.I got one from a truck and STILL had to rebuild that. Never did find running one. Lots of them in yards had heads missing, a bad deal I guess. The worst part is that darn cheap Jap manual trans. Aisin brand, with hydraulic clutch mutch like present American brands went to. Sure was cheap thing. Look into one of those "replacement" engines at car stores. Probly the best and cheapest bet. You will need to use many of your parts from old engine on outside to make it work. I spent around $1000 rebuilding mine, and you can pick up Chev V-8's for much less. I never looked into that myself at time.

I reccomend jacking up the radiator cap, and pulling a whole new car under it.

Some of those jeeps used the GM 4 cyl. engine.

www.car-part.com used is the way to go,, Brian

Some jeeps used 2.2 Mitsibusi engines. Is that how you spell it? Another name for Dodge in Japan.

Mitsubishi has some good engine designs...too bad they give Japanese management a bad name! :p

I think the one I installed was an AMC engine. It ran pretty good when it was done. Lotsa low end torque for its size. the one I had to replace jumped valve time and broke valves and pistons,and the timing gear was smooth.
If it's any help,the bellhousing pattern on the 2.5 liter is the same as a lot of the S-10 4 cylinders had around that time;wouldn't surprise me if the 2.8 liter V-6 was a pretty easy install. You can still find good ones around. They were used extensively in Chevy citations and the likes.That might be a good place to look if you want another 4 cylinder for it too.If you go for the V-6,be sure it's the tall bolt pattern;the top two bolts are quite a ways up from the top of the flywheel. Also,get everything related to the engine you can grab from the donor vehicle;never know what parts you'll need to make everything work. Nothing's ever a bolt together proposition unless you find another engine from another Jeep,but there's a lot of engines out there that are close enough you can get them to work for you without much trouble.

Mitsubishi built the infamous 2.6L ... a complete piece of junk.
I never saw one of those in a Jeep.

All jokes aside, I really am looking for help on this one. It's for my (foe) adopted daughter. I do appreciate everyones help. I can only tell you it's a 2.5, Jeep or Chrysler? , is my real question.I know the change (AMC to Chrysler)was around this year. I've built 2.5 GM's so I'm sure it's not that. By the way, the 2.5 GM is the most expensive engine I have ever built. Still looking for help.64 thanks for the link. No hits but I'm adding it to my favorites.

Your 2.5 is an AMC designed engine. First came out in 1984 as a "fuel feedback carb" version installed in the then new XJ Cherokee. Changed to fuel injection for 1986,used in the Cherokee ( rare) almost to the end. More common in the base model YJ and TJ Jeeps.

I owned (12 years) an 84 Cherokee with this engine. Not a lot of power in 84 but still a better engine than the GM 2.8 V6 also available.I had no problems with mine.

I wouldn't think you should have too much problems finding a good used engine. Any decent autowrecker will have "Hollander Interchange Manuals" which will tell you what year engine will fit and what if any changes you have to make. Just guessing I would think the basic engine would probably swap from 1987 or so on. You might have to swap some sensors/manifolds/external parts but Hollander will give you that information.

If you have any problems finding the interchange locally let me know and I'll call a wrecker here and see what they say.

Talked to a friend today at a wrecker. Gave me the following interchange.

Cherokee '86-90 4-150 (2.5L, VIN "H")
Commanche '86-90 4-150 (2.5L, VIN "H")
Premier '88-89 4-150 (2.5L, VIN "H")
Wagoneer '86-87 4-150 (2.5L, VIN "H")
Wrangler '87-90 4-150 (2.5L, VIN "H")

Hope this helps.

Thank everyone so much. You've pointed me in the right direction.

Ron, this is an alternative, I did this cause it was cheap and it works great.

If you get the mounts off a 2.8 v6 jeep cherokee, you can bolt a 2.8,3.1 or 3.4 in the wrangler. A good bit more power than the 4 cylinder.

Everyone hates the 2.8, but its cheap and easy to work on. 3.4 camaro motor is cool, but more cash than I had for running around.

PM me if you need help, I rarely check in this forum, but its raining today.