kjmetz85

Well I am new to the forumn and I could really use some help. I have an 01 cherokee. The head is cracked and it has no oil pressure. I was wondering if I would be able to use an older motor like a 96+ if I just swapped over all my sensors and stuff or will that not work since mine doesn't have a distributor? Any advice would be greatly appreciatted.

9XJSPORT7

You should be able to because I believe that the camshaft synchronizer just has to be switched with the other motor. Instead of redesiging the block jeep just put the synchronizer in place of the distributor. So I would think you would be able to you any 96 and newer motor. Just be sure to use you intake if the motor you get is an older than 99. Somebody else can chime in if I am wrong.

5-90

You can swap in pretty much any 242ci short block, just do the following:

1) Inspect the cam bearings, and put the new cam in the old short block. Suggest new lifters.

2) Replace the distributor with the camshaft sensor/synchroniser in your engine.

3) Replace all sensors (you don't know how old they are on the replacement engine, do you? I didn't think so. Don't trust the odo on a junkyard vehicle, either.)

4) Replacing the timing chain, checking/honing the cylinders, and replacing the rings won't go amiss, either.

5) And, of course, replace all of the bottom end bearings as well (the crank should be fine - but this will be your chance to inspect it - as well as measure it for replacement bearings.)

6) Replace the oil pump.

Yah - this sounds a lot like a minor overhaul anyhow. Might want to just replace the oil pump on your current engine and see where it gets you - if that solves the trouble and your engine isn't worn overmuch, you're golden. If not, you already have the new oil pump for your replacement engine...

As far as the head proper, get a 2002-2007 WJ/WK/TJ head to replace your cracked head. And, if you're anywhere near the SF Bay Area, I'm looking for a couple of 0331 heads (the casting you have,) and I don't care what shape they're in (since I'm going to saw them up for research and experiments anyhow.) It's a lot easier to replace an 0331 head with another 0331 head than it is to fab up mounts for the coil rail and adapt the later exhaust to the earlier head (since the earlier heads have larger exhaust ports, and you have to retain the OBD-II exhaust manifold. I don't know if the 0630-compatible manifold will work with the 0331 head - the 0630 is a first-gen OBD-I head, used 1996-1999.)

kjmetz85

Thanks for the advice. I had read somewhere that the bolt holes for the engine accessories were different through the years so I wanted to make sure. I am afraid of just replacing my head with another 0331 because they are so prone to cracking. I planned on trying to get ahold of a 96-98 motor, swapping over my sensors and coming up with some way to mount the coil packs. Any reason this wouldn't work?

xjrob3

i have used older block, put 01 head on 92 block and installed cam sync. sensor it started right up

yellow97XJ

im not sure if it will just bolt on and youll be good to go, but i have a head off a 96 cherokee sport im lookin to get rid of.

yellow97XJ

oh and its rebuilt by the way

kjmetz85

may be interested, how much would you have to have shipped to SE ohio.
What all was done when it was rebuilt? Who did the work?

kjmetz85

I read that water pump, motors mounts, and some accessories mount up different. Did you run into any problems with that?

kjmetz85

ttt still need advice please

5-90

Accessory brackets, on the driver's side, did change a couple of times. Swap the intake back on, and you're good (the 99-up intake is a viable swap for performance on the 1991-1998 engines anyhow. Won't work as easily on the 1987-1990 engines, tho.)

On the passenger side, the alternator mount did not - I believe - change much. And, the aircon bracket mounts with one screw to the engine block and two at the top - I don't recall exactly if they're on the cylinder head or the engine block, but they're right near the deckline.

I'm inclined to think, however, that the only real changes were made on the driver's side of the engine, and primarily in response to changes in the intake manifold.

xjrob3

i dont know if my first message sent but you use all accesories, brakets and pullies from 01,water pump should be same, exhaust manifold on 01 was smaller than the 92 i did you can get head from davies jeeps in salem oh for 150.00 let me know if any other questions

yellow97XJ

machine shop by my house did the work, shaved the head and did a valve job, new seals and stuff. everything all put together. i have pics in my profile.

not sure of the shipping, probably at least 50-60bucks
shipping from 18517 if your trying to get a quote
probably looking for around 200ish?

kjmetz85

thanks for all the help so far. still not sure what i am going to do. considering rebuilding the bottom end and just replacing the head with a different casting. the only thing that scares me are the horror stories i have heard of guys rebuilding the jeep 4.0 and still not having oil pressure?!?!

yellow97XJ - sounds like a good deal, not sure what i am gonna do yet but i may end up contacting you about it

xjrob3 - i am just south of salem never heard of davies jeeps. is that 150 for a certain casting or does he have a lot of different ones?

xjrob3

DAVEYSJEEPS.COM, when i bought one they said they had a whole bunch of heads. you can check on the web site or call them, he has lots of parts, i dont know about oil press problems after a rebuild, i have rebuilt 2 4.0 and 1 4 clyinder with no problems. i think 20lbs is normal to the dealer, my 01 will dropto 15-20 at idle when hot and it only has 50,000 miles