All right. Old Jeep stalls when shifted into reverse. Any ideas?

Question

OK.  This is an 87 Wagoneer with a 258 and an AW4 tranny.  This motor has issues as it over 325,000 miles, if you can believe it.  That aside, everytime my friend shifts it into reverse and tries to move it it bogs down and dies.  Needs to be pushed back or pulled in where he can pull out.  Currently he has oil pressure issues.  He has been running 5W30 in this thing and the oil pressure continually drops, I mean down to 10 and lower when he's not at speed.  It has been blowing oil through the rear main.  So, I am going to change his oil to Shell Rotella 15W40 with Lucas Oil stabilizer (like some folks break in) as a step up to 20W50 because, oh, his valves are rattling.

Yeah, I know, any ideas out there?  Aside form pulling it under a tree and making it comfortable.  This is his only means of trans portation and he has no means with which to procure another.  We gotta nurse this one for all it's worth and more.  Thanks in advance.

Chris

Sean L · Accepted Answer

The fact that there is 325k on the ticker and still runs, is amazing! Old Jeep motors aren't known for their longevity.
Torque converter is what I would look at first. With 325k I would think both the motor and tranny need some serious work. 
The 258 never had the best oil pressure even with a fresh engine. I think 15-20 psi at idle in a fresh 258 is what I had once. Running 10-30 or 40.
However, the issues of the rear main is also common in the old Jeeps. They just didn't seem to seal for very long. Changing the oil to a heavier weight will not fix this problem. It may temporarily help the lifters (you said valves, most likely not) from chattering. But that would be a temporary fix and the lifter chatter is an indication of bigger problems. 
Simply put, he is about one mile shy of transmission failure and three trips to the supermarket from engine failure. A complete engine rebuild and transmission rebuild would be the only cure at this point.

justin plainold · Answer

well if 325,000 miles doent tell you it needs work, then sorry for more bad news, the torque converter is going bad too, this is a classic sign when you shift to reverse vehicle dies. He needs to start parking where he does not have to back up, or else fix the problem, (sometimes, they make noise, similar to a jet engine too.

The Oracle of Omigod · Answer

Jeez.  Better park it facing forward, going downhill.

All right. Old Jeep stalls when shifted into reverse. Any ideas?

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