Unknown XJ

I need to replace the engine on my XJ and I have one available but it's been sitting around for the past few months with its head off of it and the cylinder walls are starting to put....could it be used again or should I pass? It seems like a no brainier but I don't have the cash to drop on another one at the time being.....I just know there's folks on here that is more knowledgeable than myself on here and I value you folks opinion....
Thank you for your time.


Stats for the engine:
202,000 miles.....it got overheated and the head cracked but no water reached the crankcase....
4.0 I6 had good oil pressure and seemed to run fine otherwise .... I can post pictures for it if need be

JPXJMOAB

I would probably tear it all down and hone it out before you did anything.

Unknown XJ

I was going to rebuild this very engine come tax time anyways so I wasn't worried about putting the head back on it when I put it in storage but now I'm in a real bind and wondering if I could possibly use it....

It been a real saga for me since last December..... my 98 got rear ended by a drunk driver had to wait until tax time, got my hands on a nice 99 then the head cracked on it and I pulled the engine out of my 98 cause it had lots of new parts on it then a few months later that engine bit the dust and now I'm up the creek so to speak....

JPXJMOAB

Get a new head, hone the cylinders, and check the bolt for any warp. Otherwise I'd run it if that's all done.

Unknown XJ

The current engine in her is full of water either the head cracked or the gasket blew and the crankcase is full of water so I'm pretty sure that one is toast. I can get another head but since I'm already that deep wouldn't it just be better to get a master rebuild kit from either rpm machine or Titan anyways?
I'm sorry for all these questions but you've already helped me starting to form a plan lol.

JPXJMOAB

Yea, that's the best idea. It would be a complete waste to put a new engine in with a cracked head.

caged

i would pass personally. there are lots around with lower miles to choose from. maybe not right away, but it would save you from doing it all over again.