I am currently looking a 1990 jeep cherokee for a trail rig, guy says it has a cracked head im just wondering what the extent of the damage might be, what else should i check for and overall how hard would it be to replace and fix this thing.

Thanks

 

I scored a 99 once and the guy said it needed a headgasket, got it for $2500 (in 2004) towed it home and discovered that the radiator was almost empty. I filled it with water, started it and water was streaming out of heater/ a/c valve near the valve cover/firewall. Maybe you can get lucky and have it be only a thermostat or fan clutch. I would guess you can score a descent used head for 150/200. Not too hard at all to change compared to like a v8, I had some troubles with the intake/exhaust manifolds before. They share bolts, you will see. If you can score it cheap, maybe swap the motor for like the h.o. with the harness?

 

Its actually pretty cheap, im thinking about jumping on it but he has it as or best so i wanna see what else could be affected so i could persuade the price in my favor. so i can fix things and have some cash leftover for the fun stuff

 

Exolain to him that your concerned it could be worse than a cracked head, And you wont know until you tear it down. Which is quite true.

 

Whats he asking for it and whats been done to it, lift etc ?
I always figure worst case scenario when buying one I cant hear run.
Last one I bought not running was a stock 95..... paid $350 with good body,glass etc...... Power windows/locks wont work and the cranking problem turned out to be a crank sensor and it purrs like a kitten.

Figure the cost of it plus worst case of a total engine . Does that total or come close to what you could buy one already running for?