XJEEPER
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland Springs
Short story, my nephew purchased a 108,00 mile 2001 Grand Cherokee Sport with the 4.7 V-8 back in March and after driving it for approx. 2 weeks, it developed cooling issues and the side tank on the radiator cracked, so he swapped in a new radiator and t-stat.
Following the radiator swap, it would randomly overheat, so he stopped driving it until he could determine the problem. His father (who lives out of state) paid a local Dodge/Jeep dealer (family connection) to diagnose the problem and they discovered a hole in one piston and a damaged head.
Dealership wants $7k to swap in a long-block (his loan is for $8,000......yes, he over-paid, thanks to his dad's lack of vehicle experience and rush to get on a plane for home.......don't get me started) which doesn't pencil, another local shop wants $5,200 for a reman motor with a 3yr unlimited mileage, 1yr free-replacement warranty. I know the folks at this shop, but they will only install an engine from their reman source. Not a bad deal, if he'd paid about $3k less for the rig.
Yesterday, I located a complete GC 4.7 engine with 28k miles, which will cost $2400 (90 day warranty). It was running before it was pulled from the rig, with good oil pressure and 145-160 psi compression test.
I could do this swap myself (with my nephew's help, which would be a good learning experience for him) but I don't have the time to invest in this project.
If my nephew decides to score this used low-mile engine, he needs a reputable local shop that will swap out the engine and deliver a completed, running vehicle and stand behind their work.
Your recommendations are welcome, TIA.
Jeff
Following the radiator swap, it would randomly overheat, so he stopped driving it until he could determine the problem. His father (who lives out of state) paid a local Dodge/Jeep dealer (family connection) to diagnose the problem and they discovered a hole in one piston and a damaged head.
Dealership wants $7k to swap in a long-block (his loan is for $8,000......yes, he over-paid, thanks to his dad's lack of vehicle experience and rush to get on a plane for home.......don't get me started) which doesn't pencil, another local shop wants $5,200 for a reman motor with a 3yr unlimited mileage, 1yr free-replacement warranty. I know the folks at this shop, but they will only install an engine from their reman source. Not a bad deal, if he'd paid about $3k less for the rig.
Yesterday, I located a complete GC 4.7 engine with 28k miles, which will cost $2400 (90 day warranty). It was running before it was pulled from the rig, with good oil pressure and 145-160 psi compression test.
I could do this swap myself (with my nephew's help, which would be a good learning experience for him) but I don't have the time to invest in this project.
If my nephew decides to score this used low-mile engine, he needs a reputable local shop that will swap out the engine and deliver a completed, running vehicle and stand behind their work.
Your recommendations are welcome, TIA.
Jeff
