Hi, hope I didn`t make a huge error here but hopefully someone else has run into this issue . I have a 2001 cherokee sport I just picked up with the 0331 cracked head, I bought a brand new stronger beefed up head hoping that would solve the problem which it did,but after reassembly and testing (starting) I realized the lower end of engine was shot. The previous owner told me he was not driving it so I took a gamble and lost, but the truck only has 90,000 miles on it and is super clean . Ok here is where I am having a problem, I have a complete 4.0 99 engine from a 99 cherokee sport that I dismantled and took to the machine shop to have checked out cleaned, machined and rebuilt ,new pistons, rings,bearings, cam ,lifters timing chain, oil pump etc. everything and was hoping to replace the dist. originally in the 99 block with the cam sensor that is in the 2001 and also use the brand new head that I just picked up.? I read the interchangeability post and I am pretty sure the block will work the way I want it to but not 100 pct sure. I was hoping to leave the truck running till I am ready to swap engines due to lack of storage space?? I only realized this while trying to order a master gasket set.. they are showing 96-98 gasket sets 99 as a single year and then 2000 -2004? some companies are showing 99-2004 as a set I do not want to use the 2001 block because of the knocking it is pretty loud not sure how much damage has been done already.. And with the limited parking /storage space I have right now I can move the car under it`s own power .. I believe this should work rebuilding the lower end as a 99 and just putting the new head and using the cam sensor in place of the dist, if any body has ever dealt with this issue please let me know , the machine shop has already started the work but I have not ordered the kit yet which is ranging from 650.00 up thanks in advance, I was hoping to make this # 8 lol.. Bill

 

The 99 block will work, just use the electronics and hardware from the old engine.

 

Ok thank you I was hoping to hear that.. I am just a little confused with the dist/cam sensor swap tried searching and all I can find is that it basically takes place of the dist.. You line it up the same way?/ put the # 1 cyl on tdc and line up the housing and oil pump shaft and drop it in?? Their must be a procedure somewhere gonna look through a fsm just remembered one of the members sent me a copy.. Thanks again for your reply it will be two weeks before everything is back together but I will post when I am done.. Bill

 

Did all 2001 have the 0331 head?

 

I think the later 2001 engines had a different head, early production engines had the flawed head. I've only ever seen one 00331 head crack in person, and that is out of a fleet of 200 2000-01 XJs.

 

My 01 had the 0331 head, manufacture date is March 01. Never had a crack but replaced it with a Clearwater head, no issues so far after 3k miles on it...

 

Would you recommend dropping to a 180* thermostat maybe to help stave off heat issues with this head?

 

I have a 195* in mine... works good...