Here's the situation...

2000 Cherokee
155k miles
Clean oil, no major loss of antifreeze that I can tell.... but there is the head 'ticking/knocking' and 10psi at idle and this under the cap:

So I'm thinking I should start looking for a new head..... Where should I start? Ebay.. specialty shop? Junkyard? What specific head should I look/ask for?

TIA

 

10 psi at idle? sounds like it will take more than a head to fix that.

 

"no major loss of antifreeze that I can tell" (?)

clarify that^

Borrow a cooling sytem pressure tester and see if the system holds.
Check the oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.

Regardless, a new head won't cure the oil pressure/knocking problem, thats what new engines are for.

 

Well that's not good...

Ok, where does one start looking for a new engine.. or should I have this one rebuilt and put a new head on it?

 

^^Start here^^
Also do a compression test on each cylinder. When you say you only have 10 psi, Is the you oil pressure?

 

Well, I wanted to see what the Jeep had so I stepped on from a stop and BAM! And then there was smoke.. I pulled over and shut it off... had it towed home. There's nice size hole in driver side of the block. My buddy said the wrist pins go bad... but I'm thinking that was my knock... now the whole block is toast.

 

That was easy.

 

Solves your question. Time for a new motor. I have a good block in this 01 parts jeep in my garage.

 

Can I use *any* 4.0 engine in my 2000? or does it need to be specific to a 00-01 Cherokee?

I found another long block locally. Says there's a knock and it needs main bearings.. would it be worth it to pick that up and have it rebuilt? Price seems right at $175...

 

I'm pretty sure you can use the block. Where are you?

 

Washington MO, about hour west of St. Louis.

 

There are entirely too many good 4.0's out there to get one that needs work right off the bat.

 

Can use an engine from a 99?

Mine has the coil packs... so I"m thinking not.

 

I hear ya.. I would have it rebuilt.

But everything I see has all kinds of miles and is at least $1000... so I dont want to spend the labor to drop in another high mile engine.... I want to put in a rebuilt one.