its getting there, should have the old motor out and new motor sitting in the chassis tonight. I've been so busy with my other hobby (diesel truck sled pulling) that i havent messed with the XJ much at all.

finally cleaned up and prepped the new motor over the weekend, and got everything out of the way of the old motor last night. should be able to do the "swap" tonight, and have it running by the weekend.

I just gotta go pick up the NPT tap so i can drill and tap the head for the coolant sending unit. I am OCD about gauges not working and it would drive me nuts to not have the temp gauge. Its real easy to drill and tap, I drill and tap cast exhaust manifolds on diesel trucks all the time for EGT probes.

BTW- I am reusing my 96's intake manifold and everything on the new short block because I am an idiot...forgot to take one of the bolts out holding the intake manifold on the 99 motor...went to wiggle the intake off and snapped off an entire runner of the intake. DOH

 

classic

 

that was a dumb move but oh well...

you still want those LCA's

 

get the new motor in already!

 

bought a new set and they are already on the heep. appreciate it dude.

 

no problem, i am scrapping everything but the tranny, the rest of it I gave to a buddy who will scrap it and could use the money

 

stuck bolts, lost tools etc...blah

old motor is out...new motor is still sitting on blocks in the garage, maybe i can get it set in tomorrow night

 

got the motor in thursday, buttoned it up and had it running saturday afternoon. ive noticed i have a stumble when the engine is cold, gonna pull the plugs and check them. seems to run good other than that.

 

i know this is an old post but I just came across it today. did you get that issue worked out? im curious, im dropping a 96 motor into a 99 body and I prefer not to swap the harness. ill be running a 98 intake on it, I just want to know if the necessary accessories will plug in with little or no mods.