I just purchased an 01 Cherokee and I read that they have bad heads. Is this true and if so what head can I swap in to get rid of this potential problem? Thanks for any info provided, oh by the way it has 128,xxx miles.

 

Heads with casting number 7120 or 0630, both HO 4.0l heads, from 91-99 Cherokee's. You also have to change the exhaust manifold, intermediate pipe, and make coil pack brackets, as the early models didn't have the coil pack mounts. the 2000+ used a different style exhaust manifold that matched the 0331 head ports.

I am in the middle of this, but there could be more... or easier ways around them. That's just what I have researched and found...

 

Have your coolant checked for carbon in the system. Being that it is now 11 yrs old, it has already cracked the head and been replaced.

 

Not necessarily. They don't all crack.

To the OP: I wouldn't worry about replacing something that isn't broke. Just keep an eye out for unexplained coolant loss, milky oil, or overheating.

 

Nope. every 0331 head cracks. Thats like saying not every chicken tastes like chicken

 

You got scientific documentation to back that up?

The head, not the chicken.

 

Nope. Just real world experiance. If you have that head and it hasnt cracked...it will.

 

Mine hasn't cracked knock on wood im at 150k and i overheated my motor to the point of shutoff due to a blown water pump.

 

Give this thread a read https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/200...-knock-123979/ a fellow MD forum member is going through a cracked head issue now on her '00, we are about to drop a '94 head on it. You have to use the '00-'01 exhaust manifold because of the pre-cats in there or else there's a lot of EGR crap to deal with. There's a guy who make an adapter to use older heads with the newer manifolds. All the info is in the thread I linked above

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=919384

 

Thread that is required reading for all 00-01 owners. Regarding the 0331 head. Discusses troubleshooting, replacement options, personal venting, etc...

http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums...d.php?t=391831

 

I guess it's a good thing I passed up that '00 a while back for $1,000.

 

I bought by 01 Cherokee with a bad head I replaced it with a 96 head ran the 96 exausht with 2 new o2 sencer bungs and I have no problems she runs great! I didn't even make a coil pack bracket once the coils pressed on all of the spark plugs its not going anywheres it moves a lil but it's not a problem! In fact with the 01 intake and 96 exhaust it breaths a lot better because the way the 96s mAnafold is made! It was a lot cheaper but it was a good lil bit of work the easiest thing to do is order a 01 head. Lot less bull but I did do it to mine I have no problem from the 96 to 01 there exact matches except for the exhaust ports on the head coolest will flow find as well as everything else and make sure you get the exhaust drilled and everything for the o2s are it well throw a check engine and also another slit problem the exhaust mounts well not work on the transmission crossmember are anywhere you'll have to buy universal mounts at any local auto parts store! But I got a total of about 1000 in my 01 after I paid 750 for it it's a lot cheaper but more time taken to do it this way but I got the better head than a 01 comes with

 

I bought my jeep 750$ I bought a 96 200$ took the head off sold it for 150$ and bought a 96 exhaust off my friend than ran an aftermarket header and exhaust for 100$ with the cats and everything

 

Well the '00 I passed on had a blown heater core. It was owned by a single Mom with 3 little kids. Tires were bald. Bad battery. Jeep had been sitting for 8 months.

After doing research, I thought the blown heater core could have come from overheating/overpressure, perhaps from a cracked head. Jeep couldn't be driven over 1/2 mile before coolant came out in the floor. It had been that way for a while.

No telling what other issues I would have gotten in to. I have 2 other Jeeps anyway. Can't drive all 3 at the same time.

 

2000 cherokee Limited here ,tow package 31's 2inch lift 162,xxx miles 40,000 from me ,no cracks no problems. Your experience may vary.