Well if something doesn't work, you can try ebay. I saw an engine on there the other day for $700. There is also an X model they are selling for parts.

engines are really fragile intricate devices... its highly unlikely to break a piston rod and not score the crank, knock a main journal out of round, or scuff a main... sure it might " run" when you put it back together but all the bolts need torqued to the right spec.. and in the right sequence..what about any metal shavings that worked their way through the oil before you shut the Jeep off? cold water hitting the hot head as it came in... the new rod and bearings need clearanced.. the crank should be checked for chaffing... in a hydrolock situation with an aluminum head its also possible to warp the head ever so slightly... as well as care to be used like a ring compressor when putting the piston in.. and indexing your rings... if you are putting in a new piston honing the cylinder so the rings actually seat in.... building engines is Not *hard* per say however there are a lot of simple yet very important things to do to make it run correctly and be long-lasting...
-Christopher

Well, going off of what you said here I'd have to say that you should look into a new engine. The one your fixing is not going to last. I can not imagine why on earth you would take apart the engine on a reasonably new vehicle without any instructions.v:dontknow2:

It's things like this that allow my Jeep to hold its value... Thanks

Unfortunate
 

At this point he has done way too much to the engine to get an insurance claim.

hydrolocked, he assumed we understood...and we did, is from putting the air intake too close to the waterline of the body of water your jeep is submerged in.

i appreciate all of the posts. thank you for pointing out issues that I may have missed or that others may miss down the road. Tonight is the last of assembly, I will keep everyone posted on how it goes. again i thank everyone for their advice and suggestions. happy new year! : )

Hope your new year starts out great then!

A lot of us here keeping our fingers crossed for you. You certainly have more cajones than most of us for tearing it down, but then again if the alternative is just to purchase another engine, if it doesn't work you aren't out that much other than your time.

I'll be waiting to hear good news!:thumbsup:

good luck and hope things work out for ya. :thumbsup: Might give me the inspiration to rip apart my old rodeo :popcorn:

gentlemen, after 14 full days of doing nothing but going to work and working on my engine. It is done. It runs, runs just as well as it ever has. It was absolutely worth it.

Two initial problems near the end.

1) the belt is squeaky. I have to say we didn't set it aside properly so i have to buy a new one. (no biggie)

2) while removing the throttle-body. The clip that hooks up the electrics broke. Which means it could not actuate and get the proper airflow to my engine. (solution was to zip tie it until I can order a new clip or just hardwire it and relocate the dislocation point.)

but it runs. It runs so well, It sounds great, and nothing has ever felt quite as good as the moment I put it in reverse and pulled out of my driveway and took a spin up the street and back. I have 3 loves in my life. My Jeep, My girlfriend and my Parrot. (in that order) [haha, jk babe]. and I am so incredible stoked on life that it is running again. Thank you so much those who supported me, Thank you too who doubted me. I have completely built my confidance working on engines. So my mom and I had so much fun doing this, we are now ready to tackle our next project.... willys maybe? :)