Well after a year of running my 1994 Cherokee with the 99+ intake rigged in there by simply chopping the corner off the intake and shoving a block of wood between the power steering pump and intake to keep the PS pump from vibrating I decided to do it right and got the correct bracket, belt etc and put it all together. Long story short no matter what I tried the belt is dragging along this metal "nub" that sticks off from where the timing marks are. I noticed that 95' and up don`t have this nub sticking out and on earlier Cherokees its a hollow tube. (Mine is solid) So...What the heck is this thing even there for? Since it`s gone on Jeeps from 1995 up I assume it has no purpose. Can I safely just grind it down so my upgrade and belt work?

PS: This photo shows the belt loosened up some. It actually rubs a lot worse than this.

 

I would grind enough to clear any deflection caused by rev or anti rev. Make sure it doesn't hit on deceleration.

 

That nub is part of the timing chain cover, and it's annoying as all-get-out when you're trying to replace the cover. I cut mine completely off. It serves no purpose in lining up the timing, retaining oil in the oil pan, or anything else. That said, grind away!!