Currently restoring my 96 XJ that I bought back in May. Previous owner froze and cracked the block due to a water pump leak. Nearing the end of the engine rebuild and just wanted show progress. With time and effort these XJs shine

After cleaning the cracked area

 

Looks nice. What paints & primers did you use?

 

Rustoleum High Heat Primer and High Heat Engine Enamel

 

Hey man, i hate to tell you this but that head looks like an 0331 ...2000/2001 head because of the 4 coil rail mounts on passenger side of the head. Your pre 2000 exhaust will not bolt up to that.

 

I currently have a 4.0 on a stand waiting for me to start the rebuild and a 4.0 in my xj that sounds more like a diesel engine. I am on borrowed time it just need to start. Did you rebuild everything? I’m really unsure of how deep to go with the rebuild. Kinda tempted to just redo the crank bearings from the bottom without removing the engine. You also forgot a key factor, time, effort, and MONEY.

 

Really looks good.....You are definitely putting some time, effort and love to the ol' Jeepster....

So if the Head is a 331...does it take a different exhaust manifold and continue with the build?

Or will he have to source out a different head and then continue?

I guess there would be a market for a rebuilt 331 head out in the Jeep world if it came to that.

 

It’s a new casting that I got from my LKQ/ Keystone rep. It doesn’t have an OE casting number. I did a quick test fit for my intake and exhaust before bolting the head down and didn’t seem to have any issues but I didn’t bolt anything up either. I’ll definitely have to check that out again before putting everything in.

If it doesn’t mount up, what do you think would be best course of action would be?

***Looking back at the invoice I received the part number listed is 2A32N which references to ATK 2A32N. Called and spoke with an ATK rep and he confirmed that the new casting works with 1996-1999 4.0 engines

 

Ok, best bet would be to get an intake/ exhaust gasket for a 2000/2001 and get the same gasket for pre 2000...they are different part numbers . they are cheap enough. See which one fits better. Other than that issue its a great looking engine job. I think something is wrong with cooling fan...the fins on the clutch should point out

 

Did some looking...probably not super critical to run 0331 head with 96 exh..the exh ports are smaller on that head than your pipes. You just Cannot run pre 2000 head with post 2000 exhaust without modification. Most people try to get away from the 0331 head so your issue doesn't come up often Still not sure what gasket will work the best for you, you will have to do what i posted above to confirm best fit