Ametzker

FAIL......I spent all day today working on this project only to find that you can't swap it straight over. The block casting pertaining to the motor mounts are different as well as some oiling differences. The heads and the crank are the same. The caravan uses standard rods while the Jeep uses the cracked rods ( I don't like them and can see why they have had spun bearings. My head on the Jeep engine had a broken rocker arm (common problem) and the crank had the bolt broken off in it so even though I did pay $350 for the caravan engine I can still use the crank and heads which would cost me every bit of the $350 to replace. I'm a little dissapointed but ok in the end. I ordered new rod and main bearings today off ebay for $28 delivered and a ring set for $30 so I'm good with that. I will hone the cylinders may take the heads to get cleaned up and valves recut and new seals installed for $100 in Indy. In the end I will have mostly rebuilt engine. Rebuilt heads $100, new oil pump $54, water pump $22, Lifters $54, Head gasket set $52, rod and main bearings $28, piston rings $30, oil pan gasket $12. A few hundred bucks in parts for some piece of mind is worth it.

Ametzker

Here is the vid.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WlHkKD8DK4

Ametzker

Got my heads back today from Schmidts engine shop in Indianapolis. Look great as always. Just had a valve job and new seals installed. $115 not bad at all. Most of the engine parts have came in just waiting in the ring set. The company I bought them from sent me out a ring set for a chev luv the part numbers were similar. One said E357 and the one I needed was E537. Oh well I will get the block cleaned up and hone the cylinders tomorrow and put the van crank in the Jeep block with new standard size bearings. Side not I put a pic of an AC vaccum pump and gauges I picked up from Harbor freight yesterday. I had sold my brother my last project and I had installed a new AC compressor when I rebuilt the motor but never had the system evacuated and charged. I was going to pay the local dealership $110 to do the job. Then I thought to heck with that because the Jeep is going to need it also. Time to buy some cool new tools. Gauges and vacuum pump together cost me $70 then the R134 for 3 cans was $13. Everything worked great and now the AC blows super cool. All for under $85 and now I can do my systems in the future.

Here are some pics

Ametzker

I had wondered why Jeep 3.8 were known for spun rod bearings yet the 20 years prior soccer moms were beating the piss out of these engines in minivans with very few problems. After taking both engines apart and inspecting the rods I can see why. The Jeep 3.8 rod is a cracked rod design (I don't like myself) and it has bearing notches top and bottom the cap on both sides so the rod bearing is really only be held in place by the other bearing. I could see how it could easily move just enough either way to plug the oil hole and then cause a huge issue. The dodge caravan uses a traditional style rod which has a notch as shown in the pics that is across from one another so each bearing is resting against the cap and rod as opposed to the Jeep bearing. This would be much better at preventing a rod bearing from moving. Any who. You may agree or disagree but it made sense to me.



Here is the vid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_A0TT2NJ4&t=7s

Ametzker

For anyone interested in the trans swap. Right now it's pretty amazing you can get a factory brand new 42rle trans off ebay for less than $900 delivered. It has the 2wd end case but the listing itself has a link showing it's just a matter of pulling your tail piece off the 4x4 trans and installing on the 2wd along with the tail shaft. Here is a link. 42RLE Transmission Chrysler NEW OEM 04800415ZZ Dodge Charger Magnum Chrysler 300 | eBay

Ametzker

Getting the engine back together. Not a lot of posts on this thread so this is more to look back on after all the hard work is done. Hopefully someone will get some information that may help them out. Here is the pics of the day.

jtphoto JK

Thanks for all the info. Not too many posts I think because people are checking in to see how you are doing. What can we say lol. You are doing something that no one documented doing.
Thanks again for your diligence in getting this info up here for all of us to see.

Ametzker

Thanks.....glad to see some still following. These are the posts I look for when starting a new project. That way you can see whats ahead from the comfort of your living room.

jtphoto JK

Yes sir. My 08 is getting close to 300,000Klm and still runs like a top, but I know one day I will have to either rebuild, replace or do a v8 swap. Your info is greatly appreciated.

Ametzker

Super happy to see people are watching. 300k you're half way before needing a rebuild LOL.