I have a 4.0 out of my 98 cherokee I'll sell ya cheap. I'm in GA as well. It won't be plug and play, but it helps lol.

 

Since the motor only has 50K on it (if that's legit), why not have someone that knows motors have a look at it. Someone that knows motors will also know that hydrolock doesn't occur while driving down the road.

 

The 4.0 reinx motors are tough pigs. I've beat the crap out of my 89 and it still runs strong at 192xxx and my 88 with a cracked head sat for 5 years with no head in a field. Slapped a used head on it got it started and running, also beat the crap out of it and it purrs like a kitten at 212xxx

 

You're crazy lol I can't believe mine's in as good of condition as it is!

 

Well a friend of mine brought up a good point yesterday. When the guy tried to turn the engine over, it was in park. He said it wouldnt have turned in park no matter what. Should it have been in neutral or does it matter?

 

It should turn over in park, yes. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to start the engine in park. I had an old nissan that jammed up on me once. Couldnt crank the thing, couldnt even bump start it with weight in the bed it would just drag the rear tires. Sold it to a mechanic for more than i paid for it and I guess the start motor had seized up while connected to the flywheel. Perhaps this could be the case with yours? When mine did this i had no warning. I had come home from work (all was normal), turned it off and gone inside, nothing was unusual. The next morning the motor was seized right up, couldnt figure it out for the life of me.

 

Wow, this is a pretty shi.. crappy situation. I know it's no consolation right now but you should always have someone tag along with who knows cars you when you buy a new (read old) vehicle from some dude on craigslist. Or at least foot the bill for a mechanic to give it a once over.

 

Ditto