Hey,
My Jeep's motor is done. At 197,710
So I have been searching for a new junkyard motor to put in it and have had 0 luck. I have a line now on a 92 that I can hear run, and the price is right... very right. So how much of a difference would it be between the 97 and the 92? They're both HO's, right?

 

Anyone

 

Yes it should work just use all the backets and the thermostat cover from your orginal motor. I put a 99 motor into an 87 and it worked fine.

 

Thanks! so the mounting brackets and t-stat cover are the only differences throughout the years?

 

I think they changed the intake on the HO's that yielded some extra horsepower, but that shouldnt cause any problems

 

They're both HO's...should be a straight forward swap. Some connectors may have changed style, keep the old motor nearby to make sure. Some sensors are easy to swap after the engine is dropped in, some (CPS) you'll be kicking yourself for not swapping before you swapped.
I swapped a 95 into a 91, only difference was coolant temp sender on rear of head, oil sender (both easy to swap), and the aforementioned CPS

 

maybe someone else can comment...does 97 have the newer style belt drive? I know 90-95 are the older PITA loosen 16,000 PS nuts/bolts -style to adjust belt tension. 99 is much simpler.

 

It's the nuts/bolts style. I never thought it was too terrible so maybe its not the same one though Either way, thanks though. Don't know what I would do with out you guys

 

XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

XJ/ZJ blocks and 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications. (1997-1999 4.0L TJ Wrangler blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ and visa-versa).

TJ/WJ 4.0L Engine blocks underwent clean sheet design changes effective in the 1999 WJ Grand and 2000 TJ Wrangler. These blocks are not interchangeable with XJ/ZJ engine blocks. The reason is motor mount bolt holes and belt driven accessory mounting bolt holes are in different locations, or not present at all, TJ/WJ vs. XJ/ZJ.

 

I would hate to down grade from you 98 motor to a 92. I'm sure it would interchange but I think it would be much easier to get a 97+ motor.
Make sure to look at the bell housing bolts as they can be very hard to get to the upper torq bolts.

 

It's not a downgrade by any stretch.

 

About to swap a 97 into my 91 and so far I see that the intake manifold casting is a bit different where the power steering bolts up so just use your intake. So far that's the only difference i see other than the oil filter angle.

 

Correct. Use your manifolds, probably distributor, valve cover, and maybe flywheel and you should be fine. The Naysayers who pipe up in these threads are generally those who have not done year to year swaps.
You'll be fine. Check interchangeability on the distributor and flywheel. They may be the same.

 

And just so everyone understands, he's going to put an older motor into a newer XJ. This is still a very simple swap.

OP, make sure you either leave the temp sensor in or plug it- it's in the back driver's side corner of the head.

See pics of my engine in my album- that's a '95 block with '99 intake and brackets from a '97. The only thing in the pic I didn't end up using is the AC bracket. Look closely in the pic and you can see I ommited the clutch fan shaft in preperation of doing an electric fan mod but have since installed the orginal bracket and clutch fan.

 

1999 intakes are a big upgrade. They're designed more aerodynamically on the inside to help funnel air into your TB better. I have a 96 and I've been keeping an eye out for a '99 intake for a while, now. Unfortunately, I have to go down to Denver to find a good junk yard, so I don't look very often.