I don't have any coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant, I don't get any smoke from the exhaust, no signs of excessive blow-by from the valve cover.
The overheating scenario sounds likely to me as well.
If the head does need to replaced, I will probably just save up until I can find another engine. I can't see putting that much into this one when it has almost 300k on it

 

Good thinking. Install a reman. engine and get a warranty.
Dan

 

Actually I'm not planning on the remanufactured route. I figured I would throw a used one in there to get me buy while I build another one

 

Check it out before you buy anything. For a good used engine, and a reman unit they aren't that far apart considering you won't have to replace the reman unit for many years. You must also consider your labor to switch the engines, regardless of how often it's needed. JMO
Dan

 

Thanks dan, very good point

 

Yeah sometimes it's fun working on cars, but your time is money and swapping engines takes time. JMO
Dan

 

Well, while I'm broke, I figured I would mess around with things.
To me it still looks mini van-ish. Its the bumpers. I would love to change them, but can't afford it.


So, I pulled out the die grinder, I think it helped a lot

 

Well, while I'm broke, I figured I would mess around with things.
To me it still looks mini van-ish. Its the bumpers. I would love to change them, but can't afford it.


So, I pulled out the die grinder, I think it helped a lot

 

 

Makes quite a difference. And it' easy if you don't have the driving/fog lights in the bumper. JMO
Dan

 

Yeah I always thought the same thing about ZJs looking like minivans. Lifted with big tires they look pretty cool though. I still think you cant beat the tank look of an XJ though. Hope you can get that engine fixed or replaced sometime. Nice ZJ

 

Did this help at all?

 

.

 

That looks rugged, but appears to hang lower than the stock bumper did. IMO

 

Its not bolted up yet, its just sitting on the mounts, it will come up about 3 inches or so