Looking for some help here. I need a replacement for a 98 xj 4.0. I found a nice low mile motor kind of far from me. In the pictures I noticed the alternator is mounted on the upper left and the compressor on the lower right. Mine has the alternator on the lower left and the compressor on the upper left. The man says it's out of his 96 Cherokee classic. Now I know both cherokee blocks should be compatible. Do I just use my mounting brackets or is something not right here?

 

That's a WJ motor. All WJ blocks after 99, will NOT work on an XJ of any year. I know I have both. Run like your *** is on fire or be prepared for a lot of work. There are 5 "bosses" on the block that have to be drilled and tapped for it to work, as well as custom "Brown Dog" motor mounts.
This guy is selling a wish and after you buy it he will disappear.

 

Yeah Jamie57 I looked up an engines and they look identical to what he has. I don't know what he is smoking. Thanks for steering me away from a headache

 

I meant I looked up wj engines. Damn auto correct!

 

Good thing you noticed!!

XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.

XJ/ZJ blocks, and the 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications. (1991 to 1995 YJ and 1997-1999 4.0L TJ Wrangler blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ and visa-versa).

TJ/WJ 4.0L Engine blocks underwent clean sheet design changes effective in the 1999 WJ Grand and 2000 TJ Wrangler. These blocks are not interchangeable with XJ/ZJ engine blocks. The reason is motor mount bolt holes and belt driven accessory mounting bolt holes are in different locations, or not present at all, TJ/WJ vs. XJ/ZJ.


XJ: "Regular" (not Grand) Cherokees 84-01
ZJ: Grand Cherokee 93-98 (Gen1)
WJ: Grand Cherokee 99-04 (Gen2)
YJ: Wrangler 87-95 (Gen1)
TJ: Wrangler 97-06 (Gen2)

 

Hey Cruiser! While I've got your attention, do you know why the older exhaust manifolds won't fit on an 0331 head? They didn't actually change the port locations, did they?

 

I believe they did in 2000.

 

no but the intake ports are smaller on 0331 heads.