2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4X4 5.7L Hemi - Engine Swap Advice

[sand_man]

Hi Gang,

I know there's a lot of technical/mechanical hands on this board who have all dabbled with other makes and models. So here's the skinny: My GF's niece foolishly bought (financed) the aforementioned Jeep with 104,000 miles and has had nothing but probs with it in the few months she's owned it. Now, I'm told it has a cracked cylinder. And of course she owes a ton on it. No warranty.

So to help her out, I'm looking to replace the engine for her: she provides the replacement, I will provide the labor. So she's looking around for something used or remanufactured. We have already found a few sources for the engine. So my question is, armed with an engine hoist (cherry picker), is there anything else I need to be prepared for? Or is this pretty straight forward...take lots of pics, keep track of all hardware, strip the old engine of its peripherals to reuse on the "new" engine...out and in. Is there a collection of specialty Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler tools that I will need?

I have not yet seen the car to make my own assessment. I'm just trying to keep myself from getting in over my head with a project I can't finish. I'm good with the wrenches, but not much experience with domestic stuff. I have been doing lots of research and found a few vids of people replacing the same engine in different platforms.

[berettafan]

I would start posting up on jeepforum.

Not sure how well the GC forums are attended but it's likely your best bet.

I'd want to know the cause of the cracked cylinder before spending time on it. could be one of the peripheral systems that you'd be putting on the new block.

oh, and this entire project is a bad idea. hope the gf is hot.

[VincentVega]

Get a take out with a warranty, even if just 30 days. Take lots of pictures and pop it in.

[Todge]

Mine is all stock, I'd be more than happy to send reference pics if you get lost along the way
Todge

[fastfredracing]

you are going to hate this job.

[1990C4S]

What Fred said.

No good deed goes unpunished.

[MMiller]

These 2 forums get quite a bit of traffic

Jeep Garage - Jeep Forum


Jeep Forum - Jeep Enthusiast Network

Good luck...I have owned 2 with the Hemi. An 06 and 09. They are a very tight fit in the GC.

You're a good man for taking this on..

[sand_man]

Many thanks for all the responses and advice. I'm still on the fence. I will find out what the root cause of the cylinder failure was/is. I feel that if a shop were to do this that at least they would provide a warranty that I would be unable to. At best, I'm likely only saving her about $1K in labor...not sure if in the big picture, that really amounts to much.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

you are going to hate this job.

It's that bad, huh?

I'm not familiar w this vehicle but I've pulled and installed plenty of engines and drivetrains on other cars and trucks, it's usually just a bit laborious but not particularly challenging, technically speaking. IDK Mr. Sandman's mechanical experience or abilities, nor the problems w this car but it shouldn't be that bad?

Maybe it's an access problem under the hood. All connectors these days are usually idiot-proof, i.e. impossible to plug in wrong.

[aschen]

not trying to be snarky at all, but I wonder how can she have bought it with 104k miles and owe a ton of money on it. I cnat imagine a 10 year old GC with 104k has much in the way of sales value. Id be sorta tempted to cut my losses if you cant find an engine on the cheap.

junkyard 5.7s should be plentiful and reasonable I would think. Come to think of it my dads v8 ram from the same era had some sort of catastrophic engine issue as well. Something about the heads IIRC though

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by speeder

It's that bad, huh?

I'm not familiar w this vehicle but I've pulled and installed plenty of engines and drivetrains on other cars and trucks, it's usually just a bit laborious but not particularly challenging, technically speaking. IDK Mr. Sandman's mechanical experience or abilities, nor the problems w this car but it shouldn't be that bad?

Maybe it's an access problem under the hood. All connectors these days are usually idiot-proof, i.e. impossible to plug in wrong.

The access is what I'm most concerned with. I have done many engines (removals, installs, rebuilds, etc), but they've all been on older British, German, and/or Italian sports cars. And they've all been manual transmissions. I don't have a lift, so will be working from underneath with a creeper (to handle the lower extremities) and hoping the rest will be from on top. Also, I'm not sure if the 4x4 adds any complexity? I'm planning to leave the trans in place.

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by aschen

not trying to be snarky at all, but I wonder how can she have bought it with 104k miles and owe a ton of money on it. I cnat imagine a 10 year old GC with 104k has much in the way of sales value. Id be sorta tempted to cut my losses if you cant find an engine on the cheap.

junkyard 5.7s should be plentiful and reasonable I would think. Come to think of it my dads v8 ram from the same era had some sort of catastrophic engine issue as well. Something about the heads IIRC though

Definitely not turning this into finances discussion (that's a separate thread, for sure...if you all only knew), but poor college student who paid too much to begin with, borrowed money her parents didn't have, and financed the rest. Only has had the jeep for less than three months and that's where we are now. Making monthly payments on a car that now doesn't run and will cost $$$$ to fix!

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

If you install a different engine then was there , lots of little problems arise .
In some states it's not even allowed afaik (smog)

No, it will be the same.

[asphaltgambler]

Those engines (latest Gen Hemi) are very durable and can compare to GM's LS small blocks; MO. If there are that many issues it had a hard life and abused.

It's a simple, straightforward replacement but a tight package non-the-less. Key is finding a reputable salvage yard first, then closest to you for a good solid engine as it's not something that you would want to do twice.

You'll need to remove the front bumper cover, brace which then allows access to the radiator and condenser for removal

Some yards will allow you to inspect the engine and start it if they have not removed it from the vehicle.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

you are going to hate this job.

I was going to say he should get you to do it.