ok i looked for an old post about this and did not find anything. I was wondering how hard it is to rebuild a 2.3 4 cyl. from an 86 trooper it has 200,000 miles and a couple of oil leaks and every time i put new oil in the engine it turnes to black right away so i want to overhaul it.

It is going to be just like rebuilding a 2.6, except for the carb part.

In general, it is going to expensive. Depening on how much you can do, prices in your area for machine work and parts, plus how much work (machinging, parts ect) you decide upon, I would not think it is possible for less than $1500. It will probably be closer to $2000.

That said, it maybe time for you to a) get a newer Trooper or b) revist your current engine (a compression test will tell you way more than "My oil turns black" because oil is generally supposed to do that or c) look at finding a 2.6 to drop in there. There is a little bit of work to do and you can use your intake/carb on top of it, plus it will make a noticeable difference in power compared to the 2.3.

Good Luck,
Michael

I bought a Haynes Repair Manual. It goes in depth with how to overhaul both the 2.3 and 2.6. AS well as literally every other thing you will have to repair or replace on your 86 trooper.
good luck

I just saw recently a rebuilt 2.6 on here for $250.

That would be a better route than rebuilding for 1500.

Link to engine

I think you should heed the advise already given, don't just go straight to rebuild do some testing and see what you really need. Then decide what route to take.

Joe

You can get a complete rebuild kit from NAPA or EBay for $250 shipped. THat way you know what is going into your engine and you avoid freight shipping that would be associated with a full engine. But if you can get a redone engine for a good price I would go that way as well to avoid the labor.

Lucas

When I rebuilt my 2.6 about 8 months ago, my total bill for evrything was right about 2100.00. Almost everything was new. except the crank, and the rods. The head alone was the most expensive part of it. All hoses and vacuum lines ect are all new. that total was with the cost of a clutch w/ new flywheel too.

i found a rebuilt engine for about 1400 i was looking into buying it but not sure i would like a new one but am not sure. how difficult would it be to swap the 2.6 into my trooper?

How hard it is to swap to a 2.6 becomes a function of several factors.

1) How much mechanical experience do you have and how willing are you to tackle a complicated project?

2) Regardless of experience, do you currently have the tools/location to do such work? This is not something that should be done in the apartment parking lot.

3) Do you need this vehicle every day? This is not something you will be able to do in a weekend and get you to work on Monday..

4) How much are you willing to spend? If you swap to a 2.6, your major cost is going to be the engine. Plus that, there will be a good bit of time making sure it fits. I don't think so, but you may have to move engine mounts (requires some welding).

Is your time, plus the cost of parts worth it to you? You will be reaching an amount where you could just buy a trooper from a better era(88-91), with a FI 2.6 and no custom engine swap in it and be better off.

Just some things to consider.

Good Luck,
Michael

Fouronthefloor,

I've got a problem with the engine oil in my '87 2.3 turning black quicker than I think it should as well. A friend of mine said that it may be that the engine is running rich. I saw your other post on the carburetor, and repairing/replacing it may solve both problems. (I'm hoping it will in my case at least).

Good luck.

i dont think ill put in a 2.6 im going to either get a new 2.3 engine or rebuild my old one just not sure yet. as far as my skills go i have a good amount i worked in a shop for about two years and am now working as a hydraulic tech. in the areospace indusrty and tools i got way to many but you can never have way to m any tools. i have a good spot in my backyard where i do all my work i would do it in our garage but that is where we keep our boat so i have no room plus my new rims are taking up the rest of the free space that it has in there. i have been reading the chilton books and am getting a good start on how much work im going to be doing and what i need before i start and how long it will take the machine shop to machine all my parts(unless i buy a new engine then it should be alot easier.