First off its New project time yayyyy, Anyway, just picked up a clean 12/97 Jeep Cherokee limited with 200k and a "wasted" 4.0, it rattles and ticks and has crap oil pressure runs rough etc, Anyway what are my engine swap options here, what years work or will work it has the distributor, how about one out of a ZJ any info is appreciated!!

 

Not considering pulling and rebuilding the current motor?

 

I should put this in there, i got the jeep after a guy bought it with a cracked head, bought a new head, had it machined and put it back on, now it ticks and runs like crap and the oil pressure drops, he claims it had no issues only it had white smoke before he did the work. So im not sure if its worth pulling it back apart or just go in with an untouched used one

 

Where do you find those these days?
I guess the reasons why it runs rough, rattles and ticks would be an important part of the decision, as would your long-term plans for the Jeep.
On one hand it's a fairly cheap motor to overhaul and you might be able to do so for the price of a scrapyard motor.
On the other, if this one was severely damaged you might be dollars ahead by starting with another.
I think I'd at least check the compression, pull the valve cover and oil pan and have a look around. If you can't find an obvious cause for the noise and low oil pressure, things you can't easily see like bad lifter bores might make a different engine more attractive.

 

sounds like the PO had no idea what he was doing, I would cut your losses with that motor and get a different one.

any 4.0 from a 91-99 xj will work for u.

only slight differences in the years. i.e. temp sensor on head up to 96.

 

Yeah, the more I think about it the more I think you are being the voice of wisdom here and I am being the voice of cheap, lol.

 

So a 1994 Engine will work? Even tho its not obd 2?

 

Yes. Swap it in as if it were a long block. Use all your stuff on it.

 

Good news, jeep only needed a push rod and rocker arm $20 later i have a almost mint xj for unfer $1000

 

damn I wish mine looked that clean. awesome deal!

 

YOU SUCK...........

JK

You did well on that deal!! Congrats on the find and the easy fix. Now get to work and start cutting that bad boy up and get it lifted!!

Black89

 

Jealous.

But congrats!

 

Are those GC snowflake rims? I am debating getting a set off my friends GC limited. Mines red too, and I think they look good. The only difference is that the ones Im looking at are gold painted inside and yours look black. Nice score on that, btw.

 

The cherokee XJ came with snowflakes with black paint instead of gold and imo looks sweet, however i will soon be selling the rims because i want grey Eco 5 spoke rims off a classic.

 

Good deal man, pass the luck on