Knock is there on mine as well. When I first heard it it freaked me. My ole lady's '03 F150 sounded the same coming out the bottom end. Never had a problem with it.

 

actually pretty much the same noise at idle and Lil faster when I begin to rev but can't hear it past 1000 rpm, used to go away after it warmed up but seems more persistent since I switched back over to 10-40..IDK

 

Update. I saw a post where a guy posted before and after recording after servicing the torque plate bolts. I gotta say, now I want to check mine again...same sound and his went away.

 

believe I saw the same one, then yesterday I went out took off inspection plate,had to saw off the bolt behind exhaust pipe. They all seemed fine,visually inspected for cracks all in all looked good.

 

I'm thinking the heavier weight oil could be what's making the noise more persistent??. But either way I'm thinking about running it till she blows. Then put a junkyard motor in. I mean the crack barely sweats but oil psi is below spec and God knows how long the po drove it like this. Just can't justify spending 450 on the head and all the misc stuff to replace, comes out to about 800 iv done the math. When I could get a used engine for less. Do I sound like a idiot? Or does that make a lil sense..honestly if you were in my shoes how would you address the situation?

 

See post #5.

 

Honestly rebuilding is just not an option for me, obviously a novice.

Selling as is I'd be loosing $

So if I drive it utill it goes out,could be a long time. Then put a 600$ pull yard motor in and drive it for another 100000-200000 miles how would that be wasting time and money?
Not being a smart a## appreciate all advice I did ask what YOU would do.

 

If it was me I would do what Fire has said. I tried changing my oil every three months didn't work. It just got worst as time went on and the crack grew.
Took out the motor, so now I had to buy a new short block and and new head Just cause I thought I could wait and chase the oil thing. Just get a new head and do like others have said about changing it and getting a Tupy or some other after market head.

Good luck with this whole thing

 

I think you are being way optimistic on a salvage yard engine. If that were a common occurrence, very few people would ever buy a replacement vehicle.

Except under very special circumstances, and this is not one of them, you will always "lose" money on a vehicle. It's hard to drive for free.

If you possibly can, sell or trade it now. This will be your cheapest "loss". End the pain and uncertainty.

I don't make assumptions about someone's mechanical skills or knowledge.

 

So if I do get an aftermarket head and put it on, say my engine does go later down the road. Will the new head still be good to put on a remanufactured motor or used? Could anything other than overheating affect the new one?
Dude I just really don't wanna get rid of this jeep no rust, super clean interior,
Shifts great,body is clean, and diffs are in great condition. This thing was never off-road before I purchased it. It's a gem, except for the turd under the hood

 

The scientific data will be the sludge in your cooling system. If the ingredients ain't glycol and water it ain't conventional.

 

Put the new head on and drive it. Go ahead. Do what you want to do. Impossible to predict the future with certainty. Good luck.

 

If you don't want to get rid of it, I think you're overthinking it. The new head will run you ~$600 or so. Just do it and get it done. Read a bunch of guides on how to do it yourself, because it isn't overly complicated. If you take it to a shop the odds are they will put a reman one on, and that sucks. If you don't want to replace the head, let me know. I'm looking for a 2nd cherokee. I'll fix that beast.

If this motor does crap out on you down the road, have the head inspected/pressure tested/milled and you can put it on another engine since it would be no different than going and getting one from the junkyard. And then if it doesnt work out for you, F* it, you tried.

Usually, on a good head, overheating will be your big issue. Offhand I dont know of any other thing that would cause it to crack or anything.

 

Thanks, I know I am waaay overthinking it. I'm ordering the head Thursday. Gonna go ahead and do it I'll update when work is done and later down the road to let u guys know how it went