Skeet Skeet

I am new to Jeeps so please bear with me and my non-intelligence but I am trying to get my hands on a 98 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 that has a bad motor. The tough part I am facing is that I am trying to find a motor thats compatible with this particular year. I tried to search but it didn't work for the terms I entered because they were too short. But anyways, I found a motor from a 99 Cherokee on craigslist at an awesome price with around 100k on it. Trying to attempt research, I do know that on ebay there are engines on there for 96-98, 99 by itself, and 2000-04. I have found out that the engine I want to buy (the 99) has the fan clutch on the engine and the distributor on it. This pretty much told me that this motor would work, but I want to make sure before I fork out the money. I need as much help as I can get as quick as I can get it. Thanks!!!

Bustedknuckle

Shouldn't have any issues. Definitely get the ECU to the 99' if you can (just as a backup, and you know they aren't gonna need it). If memory serves correct, mid-99 is when they switched to a distributor-less system, and instead started using a coil rail. But if the motor you located has a dizzy, you should be set.

Congrats, good luck, and welcome to CherokeeForum!

Skeet Skeet

Thanks for the valuable information. I will try and see if I can get the ECU with it, but I don't see why it shouldn't work. If doing a swap on one of these is like a Honda, then I shouldn't have any problem figuring everything out.

89Laredo

Shouldnt need the ECU and I doubt a 99 ecu would be very friendly with the 98 body.
All the sensors/etc are the same. Like I said; no reason for the ECU, the old one wont notice anything.

Bustedknuckle

That's just me, always trying to accumulate parts I don't need for a time I'll never use them.

Skeet Skeet

Woo I can't wait till this thing is running and I find me a mud hole to get into. What are good compression numbers for one of these animals? I am going to compression test the engine when I go look at it tomorrow.

98xjclassic350

hey i was wondering if u guys could help me out i need to know if a 97 ecu would work in a 98?

fishtaconc

120-150 PSI, no more than 15psi difference between cylinders.