So I’m swapping the 2000 4.0 motor out with a 97 4.0 out of a zj and I can’t for the life of me get anything to line up properly. What do I do and what am I doing wrong?

 

What exactly are you having trouble with? Are you sure the engines/blocks are interchangeable?

I am not super familiar with them. But I know the water pump is different and I believe the accessory drive is different aswell. Oil filter and exhaust are probably different aswell

 

there is a guide to what engines will interchange somewhere on this forum, I believe it is written by @cruiser54

however you should outline in more detail exactly what wont "line up properly" ...for instance what is the gearbox situation ?

 

I found my issues a buddy of mine helped me I need to line the trans up first then line up with motor mounts

 

I swapped a 97 zj engine into my 91xj with brown dog mounts. Make sure you are using the original engine mounts. I fought for about an hour with the zj mounts before I realized I screwed up, but a 97zj will swap directly.

 

Install the torque converter into the trans, rotate it until it's fully seated all the way in. Do not leave it attached to the engine and try to stab it into the trans, you most likely won't get it full seated and you'll damage the pump in the trans when you tighten up the bellhousing bolts. Cut the heads off a few bolts the same size as the bell housing bolts and thread them into the block to use as guides to get the bellhousing and block lined up.