I built an early tin top (1985 ) for a customer around 1990 ,engine was garbage so he had me put a Buick v6 in it I happened to have along with the rest of the Jeep driveline .I wanted it but it was sized perfectly for a midget so I had to pass .

I have not even sat in it yet. Too disgusting. Its a good thing I can drill new holes and move the seat if needed. Today a 96 Tracker appeared for sale. Tempting, but I think my wife would say no to a 4th vehicle in a week.

The tracker would be the engine swap you want .

I've seen the 1.6/1.9 VW TDIs swapped into the sammys before. They run real good and get nearly 40mpg with 31 inch tires.

The tracker is an hour away. Not sure if I will be able to get to it. We will see if it sits all week. Would be a great donar vehicle. Seats, wheels and tires, engine maybe.

I can only turn the engine about half a revolution by hand. Feels like something in the bottom end.

Looks like either a full rebuild or an engine swap.

I believe I will have Vermont tags in about 2 weeks.

Could it be a valve stuck open hitting a piston?

Maybe, but I believe these are non-interference engines. I didn't try to force anything. Would rather pull the engine apart.

I'm not sure if they are interference engines. It's been a long time since I have even seen a Sammy. I'd pop the head off before pulling the engine. It could be a rust ring in one cylinder that had the valves open. I've run into that on old four cylinder cars that have sat.

Another reason it may not be turning all the way. The oil dipstick says the engine is full to the top.

I am going to drain it out tomorrow and give it a try.

Any milkshake under the oil cap?

No oil cap. It was missing. Need to get one of those.

No signs of water in the oil. I drained about 2.5 gallons out. Oil smelled alittle gassy, but it now turns over with compression. Oil came out of 3 of 4 cylinders. The plugs were pretty bad. I will see about picking up a new set tomorrow. Looking more promising now. Not expecting much until I get the wiring sorted out.

That sounds like a bad carb needle and seat. Is the 88 a carb model? That could be it. Fuel flooded the engine. Or somone years ago tried to start it with a bad carb and literally flooded the crankcase with fuel. I've seen it before.

It is carbed. I plan to change the carburetor for a better non computer controlled unit from a toyota. Straight bolt on no wires. Simple. All the carb wiring is chewed from rats. This will clean up the engine bay and eliminate the need for the computer. I am going to try and start it on the original carb.

I bought a new cap, rotor, plugs and wires today. Also an oil filter. Will put some fresh oil in there and start with get the ignition system operational. Will likely end up being push button start since I have no keys.