u/G8REngineer_FL-NC

Good morning.

I just finished an engine swap on my original owner 1992 Jeep XJ at 285,000 miles. Before the swap, the air conditioner compressor was making rattling noises, and as part of the swap, I removed the condenser since all of the lines were rusted out. I've reinstalled the original compressor just so that I can get the serpentine belt on and run the engine. The new engine already has 120 miles on it, and it's doing great. (Titan in Ocala). I do not think I realized how tired the old engine was. It is like driving a brand new car.

I've looked at PartsGeek and several other websites to find a condenser and thought it would be best to replace all of the hoses, but I was also reading about the compressors and switch over. I do believe the car was switched, probably fifteen years ago or twenty years ago, to the new Freon. I just don't remember.

But from what I can tell, it may be best to just order the complete system from Parts Geek, including the dryer, the compressor, and the condenser, but I still have some uncertainty around the hoses or the availability of the hoses. Once I reconnect everything or install it, am I better off just going to a shop to let them finish the job, or how far can I go on my own on this project?

I can upload pictures of what I've got if needed.

So I'm nearing the finish line. I had posted here back last fall when I didn't know what was going on with my engine. I have a one-owner, me, 1992 Jeep Cherokee showing 286,000 miles on the odometer. The engine threw parts into the oil pan last fall. I bought a new engine from Titan in Ocala. What worked out great is I was able to drive over and pick it up. I had to wait for the weather to cool off a little bit. It's been a project but I am almost at the finish line.

Everything on the underside is reconnected. Everything on the top side, driver's side, is reconnected, like the exhaust manifold, intake manifold, wiring harnesses, vacuum lines that I could locate and get plugged back in, etc. I'm almost done on the passenger side.

However ================>

I know I need a new air conditioning compressor and condenser. What I'd like to do is start the engine for 15-20 seconds just to make sure I've got everything hooked up properly before I finish putting the brand new radiator in, get an air conditioner compressor in there, run the condenser, put the power steering pump on, etc.

Right now basically everything is hooked up short of those key pieces because I do not have the serpentine belt on right now.

Is there any reason I couldn't run the transmission coolant lines into the new radiator, holding it out of the way, and start the engine for less than 20-30 seconds? If it turns over and runs I know that I've hooked up everything and it's a lot easier before I start dropping the rest of the front end in it.

Also Titan didn't say anything about this but I did read some online that maybe I should pull the distributor out and try to turn the oil pump prior to starting. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

This is definitely a labor of love.