4.7l woes and rant

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schwinger

schwinger

1972 Dodge Dart Swinger
Joined
Jun 24, 2008
Messages
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Location
Fresno, California
I’m currently building a 4.7 out of my 2000 Dakota which spun a rod bearing, caught it in time to where it didn’t scar the rod journal which I was surprised, besides it being a unique design, I figure I’m up to the task for it since I use to build engines before, older pushrod engines. Getting everything prepared for the build I realize what a pain in the *** this engine which has set me back a couple times as well as conflicting information on these engines like head bolts either being “Torque to yield” bolts or not as well as main bearing cap/saddle bolts also which I found out they are not but go by the same torque sequence as a TTY but what got me going was connecting rods use TTY bolts which I found out earlier today just by looking up torque specs for this engine which is another setback. What the hell was Chrysler thinking. I just don’t get why would they do that on a critical part that’s spun thousands of rpms. But then again other people have ran these engines further than 200k miles but I feel like something else is gonna set me back so I’m preparing myself even more and doing more research but dam these little things are holding me back from building the engine so I can get this truck going.
 
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I've never liked the 4.7. They are either a love or hate engine. I've seen people run them 300K and I've seen people throw them in the ditch with under 100K and do 318 or 360 swaps. Personally, I think they're pieces of ****.

No offense. And good luck with it!
 
Knock on wood my 2000 Dakota extra cab 4x4 is amazing with 153,000miles.
We’ve had electronic issues lately but knock on wood mechanically it’s been super.

I wish you good luck with the rebuild- heck post some pictures. Not to sound all earthy crunchie but look past the crap and let the good energy flow… lol! Not sure of the mileage but maybe consider just picking up a used engine with lower mileage and drop it in and go. Just replace the valve cover gaskets while out. I did mine in the truck - it was not fun. Good luck!
 
RustyRatRod said:
I've never liked the 4.7. They are either a love or hate engine. I've seen people run them 300K and I've seen people throw them in the ditch with under 100K and do 318 or 360 swaps. Personally, I think they're pieces of ****.

No offense. And good luck with it!
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I think I’m in the middle as far as love/hate lol but will see how this build goes. Would like to go 5.9 but I’d have to get more stuff for the truck and I just wanna get this thing going.
 
schwinger said:
I think I’m in the middle as far as love/hate lol but will see how this build goes. Would like to go 5.9 but I’d have to get more stuff for the truck and I just wanna get this thing going.
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It's a huge undertaking. I've seen it done and although the outcome both times was good, it was a TON of work. Good luck with it......I did mean that. lol
 
Syleng1 said:
Knock on wood my 2000 Dakota extra cab 4x4 is amazing with 153,000miles.
We’ve had electronic issues lately but knock on wood mechanically it’s been super.

I wish you good luck with the rebuild- heck post some pictures. Not to sound all earthy crunchie but look past the crap and let the good energy flow… lol! Not sure of the mileage but maybe consider just picking up a used engine with lower mileage and drop it in and go. Just replace the valve cover gaskets while out. I did mine in the truck - it was not fun. Good luck!
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I have the same style truck also and just about the same Mileage. Trying to look on the bright side of it. Thought of going with a used engine but the risk of either a good or bad engine especially with the design flaws of oil sludge buildup and clogging oil pickup screen. Looking at the design on that I can see why from tearing the engine apart. Lifter failure causing rocker arms to pop out and **** canning the whole engine or to top it off some engines had problems with valve seats dropping on high mileage engines, I figure I take this engine apart and if everything checked out good which surprisingly it did I build it up and while I’m at it try to remedy the design flaws.
 
Hear are some slight carnage pics of it pickup tube having bearing material in it. I don’t understand also the small patty wagon opening either.

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Syleng1 said:
Knock on wood my 2000 Dakota extra cab 4x4 is amazing with 153,000miles.
We’ve had electronic issues lately but knock on wood mechanically it’s been super.

I wish you good luck with the rebuild- heck post some pictures. Not to sound all earthy crunchie but look past the crap and let the good energy flow… lol! Not sure of the mileage but maybe consider just picking up a used engine with lower mileage and drop it in and go. Just replace the valve cover gaskets while out. I did mine in the truck - it was not fun. Good luck!
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Yeah, see? Some folks have GREAT luck with them. I've not seen "many" of those, but I have seen a few.
 
Did measure the connecting rod and thank god it didn’t tear up the connecting rod or journal. Had the cylinder heads milled today and barely building the bottom end of the engine and doing a re ring build on it which I got lucky there was no ridge in the cylinders

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Gonna get as far as I can till the new connecting rod bolts come in which would be sometime next week. In the mean time I’m building a 225 slant 6 fir my 72 dart and waiting for my 232 Amc to come back from the machine shop so I can start building that one for my 71 javelin! Fun times! Pics of the 225 and both my truck and javelin

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schwinger said:
Hear are some slight carnage pics of it pickup tube having bearing material in it. I don’t understand also the small patty wagon opening either.

View attachment 1715946646

View attachment 1715946647

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I THINK I remember something about someone making an updated and bigger and better oil pump pickup. Do some research on it and see. I think it was Jasper Engines if I remember right.....I'm not sure. But somebody did. The issue on some of them was that the tube was small and allowing the oil to over heat and coke up the tube leading to oiling problems.
 
Better design than the Ford offering in this department, see below. Have 2 Jeeps, 312k, 292k. never been touched other than plugs n w/pump.
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RustyRatRod said:
I THINK I remember something about someone making an updated and bigger and better oil pump pickup. Do some research on it and see. I think it was Jasper Engines if I remember right.....I'm not sure. But somebody did. The issue on some of them was that the tube was small and allowing the oil to over heat and coke up the tube leading to oiling problems.
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Cool I’ll definitely look into that!
 
Have a shop inspect those valve seats. Notorious for dropping out. Also, watch the Cloyes YouTube video for chain and guide installation.
 
Max1196 said:
Better design than the Ford offering in this department, see below. Have 2 Jeeps, 312k, 292k. never been touched other than plugs n w/pump.
View attachment 1715946663
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Nice!! I think what failed in mine was oil starvation going up these steep incline roads to go to a job site where I use to work at for several weeks. Noticed a ticking sound going up the hill then it would go away when I leveled out. Check oil and level was on the low side still above the add mark so filled it back up. I drove it back home which was a 5 hr drive and noticed oil pressure go up and down as well as a ticking/rod knock sound on the drive. Made it home tho and checked the oil it was all nice and sparkly metallic
 
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schwinger said:
Oh dam nice!! Thanks Rusty for the link!! I was gonna modify the original one and open it up some more as well as blast the living **** out of it to make sure there’s no debris but I’ll just go this route!
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Sho nuff.
 
I already bought a kit that comes with timing chain oil pump and water pump. I figure the stock should be good but will see. gonna hook up a mechanical oil gauge to keep a better eyeball on the pressure!
 
schwinger said:
I already bought a kit that comes with timing chain oil pump and water pump. I figure the stock should be good but will see. gonna hook up a mechanical oil gauge to keep a better eyeball on the pressure!
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I'm sure it will, as long as all the clearances are within spec. Also, IMO, it won't hurt a THING to run an extra quart. Think about how much surface area the oil has at its full level and you can understand how it would barely make a difference in the oil level.
 
Put an LS in it!
JUST KIDDING!!!
I have a 2007 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7, about 130,000 miles, and it has been amazing. I hear what you are saying, @RustyRatRod, maybe I've been lucky, but I love it.
 
harrisonm said:
Put an LS in it!
JUST KIDDING!!!
I have a 2007 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7, about 130,000 miles, and it has been amazing. I hear what you are saying, @RustyRatRod, maybe I've been lucky, but I love it.
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It goes both ways. Those that have had good service, they have been great, but the other way exists too.....in a big way. LOL
 
harrisonm said:
Put an LS in it!
JUST KIDDING!!!
I have a 2007 Grand Cherokee with the 4.7, about 130,000 miles, and it has been amazing. I hear what you are saying, @RustyRatRod, maybe I've been lucky, but I love it.
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From doing research Chrysler did correct a lot of the problems they had with the 4.7l in the later years which is nice as well as some upgrades!
 
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