Ginger the 83 wagon

[shanebo]

It looks like...atleast at Auto Zone, there is only one set of lifters, pushrods and cam available. I put in different years in the parts finder thing on their website (91-95) and the same Melling part #'s came up on all years. I called them to ask if they had different sizes and they told me there is only one standard aftermarket size that they carry. Im wondering If I go through Jeep If I would find year specific cam, lifters ect...If so what year would you suggest?

You got the name of that machine shop Toug? I might have a lead on a cylinder head...keepin my fingers crossed....I still have had no luck with a good ECM.

[tougeagle]

It looks like...atleast at Auto Zone, there is only one set of lifters, pushrods and cam available. I put in different years in the parts finder thing on their website (91-95) and the same Melling part #'s came up on all years. I called them to ask if they had different sizes and they told me there is only one standard aftermarket size that they carry. Im wondering If I go through Jeep If I would find year specific cam, lifters ect...If so what year would you suggest?

You got the name of that machine shop Toug? I might have a lead on a cylinder head...keepin my fingers crossed....I still have had no luck with a good ECM.

It's called Area Auto and machine, though I think they may also go by area auto parts. They're literally catty corner to Rocky's on 61st and Federal.

[shanebo]

Cool, Thanx Toug!!...do ya think the melling cam ,lifters, and pushrods from Auto Zone would be ok to use?

[vangremlin]

Shane,

It looks like Jeep places like 4WD.com have other options.  You might want to check them out.

http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?jeep-sid=389&plID=637&partID=57625

[JayRamb]

Just make sure it ISN'T made in China...talk about WEAR!!

[tougeagle]

If you go with any cam other than a 4.0 cam, you will have plenty of low end torque but no top end power. Almost every cam ground for the 4.0/258 is ground for offroading and low end torque. The 4.0 cam is ground for a combination of city/highway and offroad use, and is the best balance of the three.

[shanebo]

Is Melling a good brand...Ive done some research and I really have not been able to much about them...Ive found no negative feed back but then again I found no real positive feedback either...I was also looking at comp-cams too....they are a bit more but they seem to be a bit more performance oriented

[tougeagle]

Is Melling a good brand...Ive done some research and I really have not been able to much about them...Ive found no negative feed back but then again I found no real positive feedback either...I was also looking at comp-cams too....they are a bit more but they seem to be a bit more performance oriented

Melling makes replacement oil pumps and other stuff for our cars as well, and they seem to be a good brand. There is one cam that Comp cams offers that has greater lift and duration than the 4.0 cam, if I recall correctly. They're supposed to be really good cams because of how they're ground...

[BenM]

If you go radical and want to regain some low-end, there's always Rhodes lifters, but I've never heard tale of anyone installing them. Someone must have.

The Hesco RVOB cam is generally considered excellent. The 4.0 cam will feel ever so slightly "smaller" in the 258 then it does in the 4.0.

As a rule, the same cam in the same engine will get less radical as displacement increases, which can be good. The 4.0 (~242) and the 258 aren't too far apart, but some of the bigger strokers or the guys running 199s could find the "recommended" cam acting differently then they expect.

The Comp xTreme (sp?) cams are supposed to be good too, but require you to pick up the Mopar Performance springs to accommodate the increased lift.. The Comp and Crane springs also work, but are heavier rates, and harder on your camshaft.

It would be hard to find an aftermarket cam that wouldn't improve on the stock unit, though.

[tougeagle]

Some of the aftermarket cams sold for 4.0s are ground on 258 cam specs, which are far different from the 4.0 specs, so make sure you talk to them about their grinds..

there are a few I've been curious to try out... I should have reedited my previous statement XD I know there are a few ground more aggressively all around than a 4.0 cam, more than one for sure. JUst make sure the company selling them has a good reputation.

If you have spare cash to do a little upgrading on the head before machining, you can pick up the springs, lifters and pushrods in one deal. Then add 2.02 intake and 1.60 exhaust LS1 valves

[shanebo]

Drove up to Denver today and met Vangremlin to buy a console from him. I got to see his Kamback too...Awesome is an understatement! He tipped me off to an Eagle in the u-pull and-pay in Colorado Springs. I had ridden my motorcycle up to meet him so seeing as how it was warm out I rode over to the pull-n-pay to check it out.....A cherry 85' Limited...the body in perfect..and I mean perfect shape top to bottom...trim everything. Interior was rough but it has power seats/window etc. door panels are in excellent shape ad all the switches seem to work good. It also has the electric power mirrors which I may grab the whole set up....I hauled  home to get my truck so I could get all the parts I could since I wouldn't be off again till god know when. I managed to grab a headlight bucket, the fender I needed and the coveted "Power bulge hood" If its still there next week Those electric mirrors  and the rear hatch w/ wiper are mine....I found 4 potential Jeep donors for my heads and manifolds....I'm gonna need several hours for that job though. all those wires to follow back...ugh!!

Hey Tougeagle....I think you will see the irony in this...

[tougeagle]

Drove up to Denver today and met Vangremlin to buy a console from him. I got to see his Kamback too...Awesome is an understatement! He tipped me off to an Eagle in the u-pull and-pay in Colorado Springs. I had ridden my motorcycle up to meet him so seeing as how it was warm out I rode over to the pull-n-pay to check it out.....A cherry 85' Limited...the body in perfect..and I mean perfect shape top to bottom...trim everything. Interior was rough but it has power seats/window etc. door panels are in excellent shape ad all the switches seem to work good. It also has the electric power mirrors which I may grab the whole set up....I hauled  home to get my truck so I could get all the parts I could since I wouldn't be off again till god know when. I managed to grab a headlight bucket, the fender I needed and the coveted "Power bulge hood" If its still there next week Those electric mirrors  and the rear hatch w/ wiper are mine....I found 4 potential Jeep donors for my heads and manifolds....I'm gonna need several hours for that job though. all those wires to follow back...ugh!!

Hey Tougeagle....I think you will see the irony in this...

If you were ballin on Cherokee Country wheels, and had your front end back together, we could take a pic of them and it would literally look mirror image. yes, even down to the leather seat color XD!

[tougeagle]

If I am able to make it to pueblo by 5 pm on MOnday, you should meet up with me and maddog, then we need to get pictures of our identawagons

[maddog]

you guys would have to come to my house to do that since i can't drive survivor.

[shanebo]

I just got that center console from vangremlin and that too is the lighter honey color like yours....whats the chances!!..Ya know Tough seeing as how I plan on repainting Ginger eventually ill swap you my D/S fender so you could have a matching car...Maybe when I get all my conversion parts together and Im ready for some wiring help we could do a quick switch-a-roo....Ill even throw an 86' wagon and some ca$h in to sweeten the pot  ...It does run threw a battery in it today....needs an alternator though.

Any of you guys need a hood? there was a 5.00 cor charge on the fender and hood...The hood is perfect thats on ginger...I just wanted a power bulge...Id rather see it go to someone who could use it rather than get thrown in the scrap pile at the pull-n-pay....for 5 bucks I think Ill hang on to it till someone wants it.