2.9 questions

[94xlt4.0]

just aqcuired a 89 bronco 2 with the 2.9 and it was old and tired with 200k+ miles on the clock. i have already got the motor taken apart but i was wondering if there is any problem spots on these motors that i should look out for?

 

[4x4junkie]

Mostly just make sure the cylinder heads don't have any cracks in them, that's about the only big known issue. The rest of the motor is pretty solid on them.

200K is quite a bit of mileage though, you might think about swapping a 4.0L into it's place (it's basically a plug & play swap on an '89) as the 2.9L IMO I don't think is worth the time & cost of doing a rebuild on. The 4.0L trumps the 2.9L pretty much everywhere, and only gets maybe 1-2 MPG less while doing so.

 

[adsm08]

if you do rebuild pay special attention to make sure the main bearings go back in right. you can really f the lube oil system if they don't.

 

[94xlt4.0]

i would love to do the 4.0 swap but right now i just need to get the b2 back on the road. i have one vehicle to share with my g/f right now so i just wanna get this rolling again. once our other vehicle is paid off and i go get my new car the b2 becomes the project and either a 4.0 or 5.0 will go in

 

[hopster]

you probably want to go ahead and put a cam and lifters in to avoid the 2.9 tick

 

[nightshift]

2.9 Problems

Change the camshaft bearings, cam, lifters. You'll have to rent a tool to change the cam bearings, and make sure you line up the oil holes in the bearings correctly. I would replace the oil pump, too, seeing as how you have 200k on it. If done correctly, this should prevent the lifter tick.

The cylinder heads are infamous for cracking. You'll have to take them off to change the lifters. If you have them off, replace them with aftermarket heads. It's the only way. If the head cracks between a coolant passage and the insde of the engine (a common event), you will lose the engine and all the work / money you put into it.

By the time you're done, if you add up the parts, and consider your time spent, you might be better off getting a remanufactured engine with new heads. At least you'll have a warranty.

I was having the lifter tick - low oil pressure - cracked head horror show going on with my truck. I replaced the engine at 116k with a quality reman engine, World heads, 3yr 36k warranty. I got 205k now, 89k on the engine, and it just keeps getting better.

 

[ArcticOffRoadr]

200K is quite a bit of mileage though, you might think about swapping a 4.0L into it's place (it's basically a plug & play swap on an '89) as the 2.9L IMO I don't think is worth the time & cost of doing a rebuild on. The 4.0L trumps the 2.9L pretty much everywhere, and only gets maybe 1-2 MPG less while doing so.

I have heard this expression before (much to my demise). When you say "basically" what exactley does that mean?

 

[country0001]

From what I understand, basically means if u have the engine, wiring harness and computer, u can put the 4.0 in as a direct bolt in w/ no modifications. I believe that is correct. I'll tell after this spring for sure.