Pentastar performance

Okay, so I'm not quitting, but the new Wrangler is growing on me. The 3.6L Pentastar engine hasn't been in the JK's long enough to reveal all its problems, but what can you guys tell me about it? Most of the bugs would probably present themselves by the end of the 5 year/100,000-mile power train warranty, but I'd still rather not have to haggle with the dealership over a lot of warranty work. One particular problem I've heard in my limited research was the variable valve timing mechanism allowing the piston to lightly touch the valve on startup. What's the good word from you real Jeepers?

And I gotta wonder - what was ever wrong with the small block Chevy?

 

Nothing, except Chrylser was never smart enough to design anything as good. And frankly, I would trade the 3.6 for one anyday, but going to wait for the warranty to run out before I start entertaining something like that. And at my age, maybe I will not even be around by then.

Have to admit I also have a little heartburn on the 3.6-just a huge bunch of stuff to go south. No engine problems yet but 10 trips to dealer before they finally found some bad pins on the firewall harness connector.

 

Yup - there's just a lot of new technology there to prove itself.

... Buuut the new JK idea was a little pricey, and the AMC 2.5L does have a respectable record, so after finding this while punching in keywords in the parts section of CL the other day I just couldn't pass it up :









Just got it home today, behind the trusty GMC:


It's a 1990, 2.5L, 4-speed man., 2WD shortbed. Not many options (if any) 181,000 miles, manageable rust, and a knock in the engine. But it's complete and looks like it might actually be road worthy if the engine will run. Currently I'd like to fix the engine with as little as is reasonable, fix anything that's easy or needs to be fixed to pass inspection, and use it as my everyday wheels to take some miles off of the GMC and money out of Exxon Mobil's pocket.

I haven't heard it run, but the engine is free and complete, the brakes and clutch feel like they're all still holding fluid, the tranny feels at least operable, and all the tires hold air. It's current nickname is "LittleFoot". :driving:

 

Oh, and I think the price of $450 (with a good title) was fair, if nothing else.