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5.9 - Timing Cover Coolant Leak - Upgrades?

7K views 7 replies 3 participants last post by  FlyinRyan 
#1 ·
Hey fellas I jus picked up 5.9 with a 124k on it. The Zj is rust free and seemed to be a great buy... until I got it home. I'm finding more and more issues with it as I keep looking it over. Anyways I'm starting to tackle some of the issues that I have found thus far. First off was the coolant leak. Thought it was the water pump but realized that it is leaking from the timing chain cover :roll eyes: So now that I am going to tear into the front end of the engine I figured maybe I should see if I can upgrade or do a possible cam swap! I need to change the valve cover gaskets also, maybe roller rockers?!

Anyways I have planned on get a roller chain set, seemed to a be a smart idea while in there. Also the dampener is shot. It is all off set and wobbles horribly and the rubber is starting to come apart. Would you have any other recommendations for me as I'm replacing some of these items?

Parts to buy so far:
- Valve cover gaskets
- Timing chain
- Dampener
- Timing chain cover gasket
- front oil pan gasket?
- water pump gasket
- new t-stat and gasket
- the 4" radiator hose
- the hard line coolant hose (goes into water pump)
- idler pulley
- new belt

I will be updating this list with brands/prices as I go for future reference. So Please shed some input on upgrades and recommended parts/brands!

Thanks,
Brian
 
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#4 · (Edited)
Hereeee wee goo...Ready?

If you're going to do the timing chain, you may as well do a double roller....

If you're gonna do a double roller, you may as well do a cam swap...

If you're doing a cam swap, you'll need valvesprings and retainers, and a custom tune....

I'd also be worried about the intake plenum gasket, many swap to the M1 manifold to eliminate this issue. Or, port the beer keg manifold and throw in a plenum plate.

5.9s are cool but they need a ton of work to make right. Buzz me if you need a tune, or help in general.

Edit: If you don't mind telling, how much did you pay for this thing?
 
#5 ·
Doing the roller, thought about a cam, doing the plenum plate, possibly tune if i do the cam... whats a few saturday overtime hours eh? haha I'm sure i'll be picking your brain a bit.. the 5.7 stroker for the Wk is getting worked on also so I had to have a new toy in the mean time ;)

I paid a bit over $2k for it.
 
#7 ·
So this is what I have on order thus far:
- Plenum kit from hughes
- Plenum plate
- Intake gasket
- TB gasket
- T-stat (not sure on brand)/seal
- New hardware
- Valve cover gaskets
- Timing Chain Gasket Set
- T.C. Gasket
- T.C. Seal
- Water pump gasket
- Harmonic Balancer
- Idler pulley

Still waiting to hear back about the double roller chain size then I'll order that. Other wise I think this should get me back together. Please keep in mind that I have replaced the plugs and cap/rotor so far. Thought about porting the kegger but I'm going to steer clear as it does not seem to net much. I will clean up the injector holes however.

I thought about putting a cam in at this time and some roller rockers and upgrading the 5.9.. But future projects. Just need to get it back on the road.
 
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