98 JeepJeep

Just like the title says I am looking to rebuild/respring a head for my 98 so to avoid weeks of down time i am going to get one from the JY there is a 2000 XJ there what was rolled...the chances of it needing a valve job is lower than if i got a older HO head. Its going to a machine shop so if they pull vaccum and the head is tight then ill just clean/respring and go...but will it bolt right up with no difference to my 98 head? are the combustion chambers the same ? Thanks!!

Ps. Advance auto parts shows the same part number for both years for a Reman head....??

-Jesse

Rob92XJ

98 XJ has a distributor the 00 has a DIS system and has bosses cast onto the block for the coil pack to bolt on so they are not the same part. The 00 head on some models mainly WJ's are prone to cracking between cylinders 3 and 4. Pull the engine swap your head on it keep the later model intake you will be good to go.

JeepCoMJ

Rob is 100% correct.

I would go with an older head anyways with a 99 intake to increase power and efficiency.

98 JeepJeep

ok so get a HO head say 91 through 99? which should be a direct bolt on? with no surprises?

JeepCoMJ

technically you'd want a 95/96 head to increase power.

the problem you're going to run into with this whole ordeal, is that you MUST have a 97-01 block, and you NEED the boss's on the head for the coil packs to bolt down.

I have a 2001 head here that I don't think is cracked (but haven't checked it over too much).

98 JeepJeep

it sound like the 99.5+ head wont work, Im just wanting to find a good head in the JY to send to the machine shop to respring/reseal for my 98(hopefull doesnt need a VJ). So i can pull the motor out of my 98 XJ and install a new cam/Lifters and put on the new head and only have 2 days worth of down time since this is my DD.
http://hjeepxj0.tripod.com/id15.html
That site is usefull and says that the heads are the same on all the HO's from 91 to earlie 99.5 With a minor water port on the back of the head not used on OBD2 systems.....(wont effect me) Just cerious why a 95/96 head is the best HO head?

Rob92XJ

The 95/96 heads are supposed to flow better but I think they are all about the same. I have a 96 engine that I'm rebuilding as a 4.7L for my 92 XJ and I ported and polished the head and have the machine shop performing a 3 angle valve job on it as well as the machine work on my block.

You don't need to pull your engine to replace the cam and lifters pull the head remove the grill, radiator and ac condenser, timing cover and the cam slides out the front of the Jeep. I have done a few of them this way as a dealership service tech any way to save time you take.