So I bought a 1998 Grand Cherokee that had a "blown head gasket" well unfortunately for me it turned out to be fubar and I'm looking at replacing the engine. Before I go shopping around I want to know how hard would it be to use an engine from a 2001 XJ. The only difference that I can see on the surface is that the XJ uses coil packs and the grand Cherokee uses a distributor is there any way to swap these or adapt them without having to replace the whole wiring harness or pcm.

 

Best case scenario is to use your old head, after refurbishing the valves, on the 2001 shortblock. You'll be using all your accessories, including the flexplate, from your old engine. Make certain the new engine IS NOT from a WJ because the blocks mount differently.

 

So I’ll be able to use the distributor on the 2001 engine than, and won’t need to fiddle with any of the wiring? The engine is out of an 01 XJ that’s fixin to go to scrap so if that will work I’m going to save that engine than

 

Danger Will Robinson! this forum has enough of these engine swaps that went horribly wrong already. My best advice is repair the one you have and dont open 27 cans of worms.
First thing comes to my mind, whats left of it, is the flywheels could be different and that would throw the whole ignition off. Plenty of threads like that up here :"Why wont my new 01 engine swap into my 97 start up>?
Let alone the differences in pistons, heads, bolt ups, etc. Do your homework first.
You never said why your block was fubar but even if it needs a sleeve and bore, ...cant be that bad just my 22 cents

 

Agreed. Unless the block is completely trashed, rebuild beats a swap every time.

 

The 2001 XJ is the very same block used in his 98 and as long as he uses the original flexplate and his accessories, it should be a bolt up swap. The clue to the WJ block is the location of the oil filter. It screws directly into the block without an adapter higher up on the block. This is the one you DON'T want. Abmittedly, rebuilding the 98 would increase the longevity of the whole unit, but using a good running 2001 will get it on the road cheaper. BTW, use a fresh set of head bolts for security. DO NOT USE the 2001 0331 head at any costs.

Here's a idea. Why not swap in the 2001 then rebuild the 98 to install at a later time. What could be better than having a fresh bullet in the garage if it's needed? You could bolt on the 2001 head just to keep it clean.

 

Sorry for replying to my dead post, but I never finished this repair so its worth commenting. My 2001 does have the 0331 head on it, but it's got the TUPY stamp in it doesn't this mean it's the redesigned one?

 

Yeah, it means someone has swapped it already. The TUPY didn't hit the production line until late in 02. It does say "0331" on the outside of the valve cover, but has TUPY molded into the space between the #3 and #4 exhaust valve springs. BTW, this head was cast by the Tupy Foundry in Brazil for Chrysler.