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XJ Ask the Question Thread
Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 5
From: Auburn, Ca
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I need info on 1998 4.0L I6 cylinder head. I have the 0630 casting that needs replacing. Having a difficult time finding a new one. Parts stores seem to think all 3 different heads are interchangeable. Is this true? I've read they have different exhaust ports. The only thing available new seems to be the 0331.
No, I don't lick fish.



Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I need info on 1998 4.0L I6 cylinder head. I have the 0630 casting that needs replacing. Having a difficult time finding a new one. Parts stores seem to think all 3 different heads are interchangeable. Is this true? I've read they have different exhaust ports. The only thing available new seems to be the 0331.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
I need info on 1998 4.0L I6 cylinder head. I have the 0630 casting that needs replacing. Having a difficult time finding a new one. Parts stores seem to think all 3 different heads are interchangeable. Is this true? I've read they have different exhaust ports. The only thing available new seems to be the 0331.


You might search for a used 0630, which came on 4.0Ls starting in 1996. You could also install the exhaust setup for a 2000 49-state model but that's probably more money and hassle than you want.
What's wrong with your 0630, anyway? Head problems are extremely rare with those.
Junior Member

Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 48
Likes: 5
From: Auburn, Ca
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
That's correct. The 0331 design is the same except for the coil rail and exhaust ports. Aside of course from the original factory run that was prone to cracking - resolved in aftermarket heads and original heads bearing the TUPY mark.


You might search for a used 0630, which came on 4.0Ls starting in 1996. You could also install the exhaust setup for a 2000 49-state model but that's probably more money and hassle than you want.
What's wrong with your 0630, anyway? Head problems are extremely rare with those.


You might search for a used 0630, which came on 4.0Ls starting in 1996. You could also install the exhaust setup for a 2000 49-state model but that's probably more money and hassle than you want.
What's wrong with your 0630, anyway? Head problems are extremely rare with those.
Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Gads Hill, Ontario
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Watch when swapping heads, some have a 1/8" NPT port near the back of the head for a coolant temperature sensor, some don't.
If you need the port, and the new head doesn't have it, you can drill a port for the sensor into the thermostat housing, and extend the wire to there. (Or you could risk drilling the new head, but I'd rather ruin a $20 thermostat housing than a $400 head).
If you need the port, and the new head doesn't have it, you can drill a port for the sensor into the thermostat housing, and extend the wire to there. (Or you could risk drilling the new head, but I'd rather ruin a $20 thermostat housing than a $400 head).
No, I don't lick fish.



Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Watch when swapping heads, some have a 1/8" NPT port near the back of the head for a coolant temperature sensor, some don't.
If you need the port, and the new head doesn't have it, you can drill a port for the sensor into the thermostat housing, and extend the wire to there. (Or you could risk drilling the new head, but I'd rather ruin a $20 thermostat housing than a $400 head).
If you need the port, and the new head doesn't have it, you can drill a port for the sensor into the thermostat housing, and extend the wire to there. (Or you could risk drilling the new head, but I'd rather ruin a $20 thermostat housing than a $400 head).
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 11
From: Laurium, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 11
From: Laurium, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
'99XJ 4x4 242, '96 ZJ 5.2L 249 Questions on fuel tanks/skid plates.
So currently I have a ZJ skid plate mounted over my XJ fuel tank. According to some recent research(thanks Basslicks and cleenrob :-P), I learned that the '96 ZJ fuel pump appears to be the same part number, connecter, etc so a fuel tank swap should be as simple as disconnecting from ZJ and installing in XJ...right? I have new fuel tank straps for both vehicles. Can I install the XJ tank in the ZJ(prefer to keep it easily moveable for snow) using the XJ tank straps? The ZJ skid plate should still work on the XJ with the ZJ tank right? Will the fuel level gauge work properly in both vehicles as well?
So currently I have a ZJ skid plate mounted over my XJ fuel tank. According to some recent research(thanks Basslicks and cleenrob :-P), I learned that the '96 ZJ fuel pump appears to be the same part number, connecter, etc so a fuel tank swap should be as simple as disconnecting from ZJ and installing in XJ...right? I have new fuel tank straps for both vehicles. Can I install the XJ tank in the ZJ(prefer to keep it easily moveable for snow) using the XJ tank straps? The ZJ skid plate should still work on the XJ with the ZJ tank right? Will the fuel level gauge work properly in both vehicles as well?
No, I don't lick fish.



Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
*sigh*
1992 XJ 4.0
TB is clean
AIC is clean
TPS is new
MAP is new
Coil is new
Wires are less than a year old.
Distributor, cap, and rotor is new and converted to the HO style
Recently replaced the valve stem seals... plugs are still pretty cruddy from all the oil intrusion.
Brand new MOPAR FPR - holds pressure to the rail looooong after the jeep is turned off.
Cleaned the injectors probably about a year and a half ago.
Has a stant 195* t-stat, the factory fan setup in place, and the shrouds are all still there as well. Cooling system has been given the Amway flush recently.
So here's the problem: I can go out to it after it's been sitting overnight or for at least 30-60 minutes, start it up, it will idle and run fine and I can drive it anywhere I want. If I'm in a lot of stop and go traffic, drive-through lines, or it sits and idles a lot, it starts to run HORRIBLE. Starts missing, then backfiring, then no power, then won't even rev, then eventually dies. After a few starting cycles, I can get it to run again by blipping the throttle through the RPM ranges and then tromping on it until it pretty much redlines. It's acting similar to heat-soak, which I know is a late-model HO thing and not an early model HO thing. So this leads me to believe that maybe the crack going all the way around the manifold at above the collector might be heating things up and making the sensors fail. Or maybe heat-soak?
To sum up, anyone know if a cracked-through exhaust manifold will cause the motor to backfire, run like crap, and just not drive in general?
My suspicion is the manifold, but I wanna know for sure before I pull the trigger on it and it's not the problem.
1992 XJ 4.0
TB is clean
AIC is clean
TPS is new
MAP is new
Coil is new
Wires are less than a year old.
Distributor, cap, and rotor is new and converted to the HO style
Recently replaced the valve stem seals... plugs are still pretty cruddy from all the oil intrusion.
Brand new MOPAR FPR - holds pressure to the rail looooong after the jeep is turned off.
Cleaned the injectors probably about a year and a half ago.
Has a stant 195* t-stat, the factory fan setup in place, and the shrouds are all still there as well. Cooling system has been given the Amway flush recently.
So here's the problem: I can go out to it after it's been sitting overnight or for at least 30-60 minutes, start it up, it will idle and run fine and I can drive it anywhere I want. If I'm in a lot of stop and go traffic, drive-through lines, or it sits and idles a lot, it starts to run HORRIBLE. Starts missing, then backfiring, then no power, then won't even rev, then eventually dies. After a few starting cycles, I can get it to run again by blipping the throttle through the RPM ranges and then tromping on it until it pretty much redlines. It's acting similar to heat-soak, which I know is a late-model HO thing and not an early model HO thing. So this leads me to believe that maybe the crack going all the way around the manifold at above the collector might be heating things up and making the sensors fail. Or maybe heat-soak?
To sum up, anyone know if a cracked-through exhaust manifold will cause the motor to backfire, run like crap, and just not drive in general?
My suspicion is the manifold, but I wanna know for sure before I pull the trigger on it and it's not the problem.




