There's so many out there.
7120 casting number on my head. I need a rebuilt one for my 94 XJ.

Which is the most economical to go with?
I've found one on eBay with good reviews for 330

 

New casting ones are 500 shipped. Why not go that route and ensure yourself a hardy future?

 

why not pull the head and have a local machine shop do it.. my son had his done for something like $165. worked out great. his 4.0 runs great now.

any rebuilt or new head i buy from online would have to be sent to my local machine shop to be checked out anyway.

 

Unless your head is cracked i would have it rebuilt locally.

 

Like already posted have yours checked first and if ok rebuild it.

 

I know my head is "fine" , however there is an exhaust stud broke off in the head.

 

Like everyone said, rebuild.

A competent rebuilder can handle the stud no problem.

 

Great advice^^ here and above on having the head redone locally.

 

Well the "I's" carry the motion.

There's a shop up the road from me.
I'll get the stud out myself to save cash.

Going to have them magnaflux the head, check it for flatness, clean the valves, reuse the springs, and install new viton seals.

I'll be installing New Head & manifold Studs and the Gaskets Kit myself.
Anything else?

 

don't forget the valve job. i'm sure the seats are beat to hell.. and put new freeze plugs in too..

 

Depends your budget and how long you want to own the jeep,You could do just a standard rebuild or have it gutted bare and everything new and maybe do some gasket matching ports smooth out the oil returns theres a lot of small things you can do that will make it last longer or run better.

 

Yes on both of the above and for sure have it surfaced.

 

what about some preventative measures such as new water pump and thermostat. What about the harmonic balancer and timing set, why not change those also? I assume you already changed the intake to a '99 or newer style ....

 

Water Pump, T-stat ect. are all new. I replaced them with the radiator in September.
My 4.0 only has a 115K miles on it so I'm going to leave the harmonic balancer and timing chain alone.


The local machine shop said if all I'm pulling the head for is to extract the bolt, they would do that, pressure check the head, check flatness and if everything is OK then I'll only have $110.

If I want to have the head rebuilt he'll do everything above, clean it, three angle valve job, shim springs if needed, replace valve stems the works for $275

So $110 or $275?

Keep in mind this isn't a DD or a power built jeep just a budget friendly crawler

 

I'd do the 275