392 Engine Failure

[Rubi64L]

The 3.0 L Stage 2 gen 5 Whipple used on the Drag Pak with the Billet 112mm throttle body and 8N fuel rails ?? ….. upgrade cam and rods ? ( not legal for use in Ca on public roadways)…..like everything else I want ! ?

That would be what I'd do Then just pull the engine when it comes time to do a smog check. On my WJ, I did a Kenne Bell 2.8L Whipple, and that thing absolutely screamed. It was a pain to get a smog test done on it, though. Even though I had a valid CARB number, no smog shop wanted to touch it. Really pissed me off. Now, It's in storage and eventually I'll get around to replacing the whole suspension and tearing apart the engine to fix all the things that go wrong with that Mercedes-designed overhead cam V8.

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[2nd 392]

That would be what I'd do Then just pull the engine when it comes time to do a smog check. On my WJ, I did a Kenne Bell 2.8L Whipple, and that thing absolutely screamed. It was a pain to get a smog test done on it, though. Even though I had a valid CARB number, no smog shop wanted to touch it. Really pissed me off. Now, It's in storage and eventually I'll get around to replacing the whole suspension and tearing apart the engine to fix all the things that go wrong with that Mercedes-designed overhead cam V8.

Earlier gen Whipple was CARB approved, but at under 8lbs boost lousy bang for buck , investigated for 15 GC SRT, comparable to Kenne Bell. Whipple is an hour south and did in house installs so you know it’s right (still ?) still the same weak, high compression, short skirt pistons. Ca has made it damn near impossible for us old gear heads. Would love to at least upgrade cam and tune (MDS delete) cam lope is music to me.

 

[Rubi64L]

Earlier gen Whipple was CARB approved, but at under 8lbs boost lousy bang for buck , investigated for 15 GC SRT, comparable to Kenne Bell. Whipple is an hour south and did in house installs so you know it’s right (still ?) still the same weak, high compression, short skirt pistons. Ca has made it damn near impossible for us old gear heads. Would love to at least upgrade cam and tune (MDS delete) cam lope is music to me.

If I had a salvageable 392 long block, I'd go the full monty on it. New cam, forged pistons, better valvetrain, forged crank, port and polish the heads, lightweight flywheel, and a Whipple supercharger. It's annoying that CA doesn't let us do anything fun to our cars. Some people manage to get away with some crazy stuff, but the smog stations that they go to and pay $1000 for a smog test are disappearing pretty fast. The other option is to find some of the very sparse locations that don't require smog checks and get a "registration address" there. CA is figuring all of those out, though, so it's a short term solution.

These days, after enduring years and years of headaches during smog tests, I just leave things stock. I have an old Trans Am with a 455SD that I am rebuilding, and it's smog exempt. For that one, I can go absolutely nuts on it.

 

[2nd 392]

If I had a salvageable 392 long block, I'd go the full monty on it. New cam, forged pistons, better valvetrain, forged crank, port and polish the heads, lightweight flywheel, and a Whipple supercharger. It's annoying that CA doesn't let us do anything fun to our cars. Some people manage to get away with some crazy stuff, but the smog stations that they go to and pay $1000 for a smog test are disappearing pretty fast. The other option is to find some of the very sparse locations that don't require smog checks and get a "registration address" there. CA is figuring all of those out, though, so it's a short term solution.

These days, after enduring years and years of headaches during smog tests, I just leave things stock. I have an old Trans Am with a 455SD that I am rebuilding, and it's smog exempt. For that one, I can go absolutely nuts on it.

Stout 392 crank should be OK. Local $200 “smog check” wink wink retired. Souped up V10 Dodge PU registered in a no smog check county. (Ownership change only) , been hearing change rumors and sweating it for ~ 25 years……. Too old and wore out to get another Willys Jeep and do another HP Chevy transplant. Everything needed upgrades. Edit— either UPS or Fed X uses “Suite numbers” for their PO Boxes. Could work, get one in a no smog county, try to register a vehicle to the “Suite Number” ??

 

[1996cc]

What about a junkyard jeep frame to get a VIN that’s old enough to be exempt and weld that to your frame?

 

[multicam]

…or just leave California. That’s what I’m doing soon.

 

[2nd 392]

…or just leave California. That’s what I’m doing soon.

I envy you— but don’t want to be more than a day’s drive from kids and grandkids. My only hope is “Greater Idaho” 11 Ore counties have voted in favor. Idaho house passed bill OK’ing—could get interesting.

 

[J0E]

Welcome to the club. Mine blew at 9500 miles. January 28? Sat in the dealer lot for 12 days before they looked at it. Not one peep from jeep about it yet.
I'm the second owner. Jeep Warranty department wanted proof af all oil changes in that 9500 miles.

All the dealer change the oil for free haters should read this. If the dealer did all the oil changes they wouldn't need to ask.

 

[Rubi64L]

I envy you— but don’t want to be more than a day’s drive from kids and grandkids. My only hope is “Greater Idaho” 11 Ore counties have voted in favor. Idaho house passed bill OK’ing—could get interesting.

I'm in the same boat - but add to that some health problems where I want to be close to great medical care. That, and one of the only good things about CA is Prop 13. I've owned my property for a long time, and my taxes are a tiny fraction of what they'd be if I moved to a similar property. I used to have a place up in Oregon where I could buy and register cars and not have to worry about smog tests (it was a rural area). When I got rid of that place, I was shocked to have to deal with all the BS in CA - crazy taxes, high registration fees, ridiculous nanny rules to keep me from modifying my cars the way I want to.

 

[Old Jeeper]

Wednesday afternoon I was on the entry ramp to a highway and accelerated to merge with traffic. Once at speed, I backed off the gas and the engine sputtered a couple of times then died. I wasn't paying close enough attention to see if it went into 4cylinder mode at that exact time. I was able to coast to the next off ramp. To me it felt like the fuel pump stopped or some other fuel type issue. I checked the fuel pump fuse, it was fine the checked all of the other fuses relays to be sure they were all firmly seated. Attempted to start the Jeep and it coughed a little but nothing even close to running, so I called Jeep Roadside Assistance. It didn't take long for the tow truck to arrive and load it up to take it to a local dealer. Once it was there, the service writer went to get the information off the Jeep, he attempted to start it and it did start but was rattling and clanging. I don't know if he shut it off or it died on it's own.It sounded terrible! We went back to his office to arrange for a rental car and discuss the next steps to get it repaired.
On Friday morning they gave me the update that the engine was blown, dropped valve, broken piston, lots of metal shavings in the oil and the were waiting for Jeep to approve the repair. Later that afternoon they received the approval to repair and ordered the parts, which includes the 392 long block. The service guy said there are some parts readily available and some that look like a long, or even unknown, wait time. @JeepCares hopefully can assist to get the needed parts quickly.
I know this is long and I'll make it a bit longer by complimenting the Roadside Assistance for quickly responding, the tow truck company for sending a great guy and a true professional, and the service writer at the dealership for being a nice no nonsense type of person and so far, for keeping me informed of everything going on with my Jeep.

There ya go using that ole Casing Head Gasoline again, I know its CHEEP! Last I bought was $0.17 cents a gallon, but sure burns dirty...Anyhow wishing you good luck and fortune on this episode in your life, hope it works out soon...

 

[2nd 392]

I'm in the same boat - but add to that some health problems where I want to be close to great medical care. That, and one of the only good things about CA is Prop 13. I've owned my property for a long time, and my taxes are a tiny fraction of what they'd be if I moved to a similar property. I used to have a place up in Oregon where I could buy and register cars and not have to worry about smog tests (it was a rural area). When I got rid of that place, I was shocked to have to deal with all the BS in CA - crazy taxes, high registration fees, ridiculous nanny rules to keep me from modifying my cars the way I want to.

Two good things—1. prop 13,…..2. I’m in central Ca a short to reasonable drive to mountains, beaches, dunes, lakes, and desert. But the convenience price is high per your mentions. At least there are a couple positives along with the negatives.

 

[Patrick_Cash]

My 2022 392 with 7,000 miles just had the same engine failure. Waiting on a replacement engine now...

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