Sorry everyone because I know this has been answered hundreds of times but am away with very limited web access. So... Head prob finally caught my 2000 XJ Renix. I know there's a recommended replacement head and ones not recommended. Cannot scroll thru because waitress is glowering at me. Can anyone reply with brief advice?
Can chk later -- fortunately right now am in Hertz rental. Thank you, Kap

 

Renix is 87-90. The head for 2000 and 01 is different than 87-99. (just the exhaust ports maybe). Indeed the answer is not so brief, but the 0331 head yours came with is a known problem, (cracks in the middle). Another 0331 head, (not from an XJ), with "tupy" casted under the oil filler is one option. Those came in later Jeeps with the 4.0.

You likely will need more than I can provide. There are "reinforced" 0331"s out there, IDK about that.

 

The Hertz counter has waitresses?

To answer your question, the aftermarket 0331 that people seem to have good luck with is from Clearwater Cylinder Head.

http://www.cylinder-heads.com/

They have two 0331 heads, a regular one and a "performance" version. You don't really need the performance version unless you just like spending extra money. The Clearwater head comes ready to bolt in for $450.

The other one Flintstone mentioned was an OEM head from 2002 and up 4.0L engines. After 2001 Chrysler replaced the original 0331 we had in the XJs with the "TUPY" 0331 that fixed the cracking problem. It will have "TUPY" cast into the top of the head between the #3 and #4 cylinders (where our original 0331 had no lettering). You can't get them new, and they don't seem to be easy to find used. Your best bet there would be a junk yard. But keep in mind you'll still need to get it checked and possibly reworked by a machine shop, so you may not save a whole lot of money, and in the end the Clearwater works just as well and comes ready to bolt in on a Saturday afternoon.

 

Thanks to both of you. Seems Clearwater is my best bet.

 

Not a cracked head problem after all -- a blown frost plug at rear of motor. The Cherokee had been standing outdoors in a Northern Winter from Thanksgiving through spring while I was out of the country.
Cost me some bucks but not as bad as it might have been. Thank you to those who chipped in with advice.

 

Thanks for posting back!!

 

I once drained all the water out of an inline 6, 240 in a Ford truck because I knew it was going to freeze hard. Repair cost 56c. At the right angle 1/2 cup of water can pop out a freeze-plug under the flywheel. $.56, but all day pulling that motor to tap that in.

Minosoden's know to run it till it's boiling the last of the water off. (and splash some anti freeze in the toilet before vacation.