I currently have a 97 xj broke piston skirt and damage...swapping out motor...I have another 4.0 with 53010449 (not AA) build stamp 101mx24. I'm getting all kinds of conflicting reports. I need to know if the swap motor will work and how much extra work needs to be done to make it work. TIA

 

Look here for your answer.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/che...bility-236512/

 

Excuse me. I've seen that post already but it doesn't answer my question plus that post is closed to replies. The swap motor I have has been sitting in dry storage for many years and I don't know for sure what type of jeep it came from... all I have is the block number and build date stamp which I have conflicting answers as to what type of jeep it came from.

 

Gotcha. If you don't know the type of Jeep it came from, it may be an issue. Look and compare it to the one you have installed and see if it will work?

Beyond that, I dunno.

 

You seen this thread? Looks like a direct swap to me.
https://www.jeepstrokers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1991

 

Thanks for the input...ya its tough going if you don't know what jeep the motor came out of. From the outside, it looks like it should fit but I'm worried that it came out of an 01 TJ which according to other posts, the block is incompatible. The only thing that looks "off" is the oil filter. The stock xj motor o filter is inline. Pointing to the back...the swap motor is about 30 degrees pointing downward. I think even that is ok with using the old adapter. I've been told by couple jeep gurus to ignore the date and block # mismatch...they say it was common for the factory to install a "leftover" block shortly after yr 2000. I'll be swapping next week.

 

Is the head on the block?

https://www.greatlakes4x4.com/thread...fferences.661/

 

Yes, the head is on the block. I think I know where you are going with this. It's at my mechanic right now. The dreaded 0331 was in the 2000+ years...right?

 

yes