Are these the heads alright?

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Performan...2&t_pn=ATK2A34

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160887572206...84.m1438.l2649

Is either one better?

 

Here's some discussion on the odessa head:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1079769

I've never purchased either, I don't know if they are selling repaired cores, or the newer design, or what they are.

 

Get one that has the word "tuppy" engraved on it it's the same model head but made without the defect

 

If you're on a budget, you can also get a head from an older Cherokee, I think that and high output one will work. You will have to change it over to your cam sensor/COP ignition and find a way to mount it, but it will work. I am using a 1999 motor in my 2001 Cherokee, the swap wasn't very hard at all. I actually had bought my Jeep not running and found out that it had been overheated by an extreme amount, but my head didn't crack for some reason. I just decided to get a motor from Pull-A-Part and dropped it in. Something else to remember is that the exhaust manifold you have is a little bit smaller than in previous years and houses 2 more oxygen sensors, so there could be a small exhaust leak if you go with a different head. To fix that just get an aftermarket header. Good luck.

 

I got one from Clearwater Cylinder heads, $480 to my door. Most other reman'd heads outfits just start with OEM 0331 and it will eventually crack again. Clearwater heads are redesigned to beef up the weak spot on the OEM head.

 

About the only head crack/leak fixer I have ever run across that works is IRONTITE head repair. The fix lasted me almost a year and a half on a 3.0 ford with ALL the exhaust jackets cracked so bad you could watch the water leak out. For a cracked head I would recommend this, but for a gasket just bite it and change it. Say goodbye to your heater though that's almost a definite. It's about 18$ a bottle and well worth it (way cheaper than that 70$ stuff that flat out doesn't work), the only place I have found it is at a machine shop.

 

I was thinking of getting a head for my jeep before I got a whole new engine for cheap... I looked at reviews, and had it down to Clearwater and Alabama heads. They seem reliable and have lots of great reviews from users. If you're getting a new head and have the money then go for it. I was gonna go with Clearwater.

 

I think Alabama Cylinder Head has gone out of business.

Re: head/block sealer- even if it works it's a time-bomb. You never know when it'll blow again, other than probably at the worst possible time.

 

Ok. So it seems that the Odessa head is the Clearwater head, if I read correctly. I had no noise and oil pressure was still good so hopefully I can get away with just changing the head. I will talk to mechanic and see if he can go ahead and check bearings as well.