Hello all,

I have a 2000 xj classic with a dead engine, and i have a new clearwater cylinder 0331 head. The issue is i don't have the means to rebuild the original short block so i found a junkyard block for cheap.

My question is if i can use an older block, i believe the one i have priced out is out of a '97 xj, and bolt my new head to it so i don't have the ignition coil problems and so i have a new head with new lifters and push rods in this jy block. i believe the only other difference is the angle of the oil pressure gauge or the oil filter.

Please let me know if this will work as well as i plan, and if there are any other issues i'm forgetting with the swap. Thanks

 

No difference in the oil filter or the pressure sending unit.

Your old block really wiped the bearings eh? If the 97 engine is fine you can avoid tearing into it, all you have to do is put the 2000's cam position sensor in place of the distributor and find some way to hold the coil rail in:

 

yeah, bearings are toast so is the cam, not that the cams not replaceable but that's beyond the point. Ive heard of those coil rail adapter set ups but i havent seen one so thanks for the pic that's very helpful and looks pretty easy to do. my worry is this jy block is high miles, 200,000 or a bit over but its cheap only 200 bones. especially compared to the 850 another place wanted for one that i couldnt even get to hear running or the 300 one shop wanted for one that had a blown head gasket from overheating. So if its possible id like to use the new head i think it would help rejuvinate it especially with new lifters. Do you know if the bolt patterns match?

Also if anyone knows a reputable jy in southeast michigan give me a shout cause i think 800 for an engines a bit pricey especially after some of the prices ive seen on other post on here

 

Ah. I gotcha.

Some guys with more experience on here mention something about locating dowels are different between the years. Normally this comes up when putting a 0630 head on a 2000+ block, no idea about a 0331 on an older unit

 

ok that sounds like it could just make things a little more tricky not so much impossible. hopefully someone else can throw in their 2 cents as well, but much thanks Salad