Hello. Just picked up a fairly decent 1996 Cherokee Country 4X4 for $300.00. Past owner states it overheats and has been sitting for a year. I checked the oil and it has coolant mixed in. It is a 4.0L. Are these prone to 1. Cracked heads, 2. Cracked blocks, or 3. Blown head gaskets. Just trying to figure out what I may be looking at before I tow it home next Tuesday.

Thanks

 

Your lookin at a big project.

NO
NO
NO
to all the questions.

 

Okay. Found a good deal on a 4.0L out of a 1999 Grand Cherokee. Will this engine work? All my research shows 96-98 only. Thanks

 

you may not need the entire motor. you may just need a head gasket. Its gona take some time to find out why the coolant is in the oil so find out why its in there and fix that unless you just want to replace the motor anyways.

 

Okay, here's what I plan. I am going to get the Jeep home, put in fresh oil and coolant, and start it up and see how it sounds. If I don't hear any noises from the bottom end I'll pull the head. If I don't see any visible cracks I'll take it too the machine shop and have it magnafluxed to see if it's cracked. If not, I'll install a new head gasket and see how it goes. Either way, I only paid $300 for it and other than faded paint it's in awesome condition. Thanks for the advice..

 

Yeah, just remove the head. Takes like 45 minutes if you have the right tools. You'll need a 12 MM 12 point deep well socket for some of the bolts on the head after you pull the rods and rockers off, etc. I was able to do it with a closed 12mm 12 point wrench, but it was a bit of a pain.

 

Okay. Finally got the Jeep home today and started on it. Pulled the valve cover and sure enough was a crack between #3 & #4 in the head. It is the 0630 casting head. Found a good looking used head for $50. I'm taking it to the machine shop tomorrow to be dipped, cleaned, and magnafluxed. The fellow told me he will also install the new valve seals for me all for $30!

It's my local NAPA store and they come highly recommended.

A few more questions. Should I replace the head bolts? (they have only been used once). Should I also install new push rods? (they're fairly cheap). I'm also having a hard time finding a 12 pt., 12mm 3/8 drive deep well socket. Everybody including Sears seem to be out of stock.

Bought a Haynes manual which seems to be pretty straight forward.

Any tips/suggestions before I start such as which type of sealants to use, etc.?

It's been many years since I've been this deep in an engine so wish me luck!

Thanks for any tips.

Frankie
thekitkos@gmail.com

 

you might want to start it up because if the PO ran it with coolant in the oil it could have damaged the bearings. coolant doesnt usually work as a good lubricator for the main and rod bearings. Just my .02

 

how is it working now are you happy?

 

Well, the motor turned out to be fried. Not only was the motor froze up, so was the alternator and water pump. Found one at the JY today out of a 1998 Cherokee Sport with 88K miles on it. Seems to spin free and the coolant, trans fluid, and oil looked good. Cost me $191.00 with tax, warranty, and core (www.pullapart.com).
Tomorrow I am going to run a compression test on it and if it looks good I’ll pressure wash it and paint it.
What a ***** pulling it in the junk yard! Those two top E14 torx bolts immediately rounded off. Took out the motor and trans as a unit and was able to get those two Torx out with a chisel. I will replace them with cap screws. Then when the towmotor driver set the motor down in the yard, he cracked the exhaust manifold!
If all goes well, I will install a new intake/exhaust gasket along with my original manifolds, new wires, plugs, cap, rotor, air filter, fuel filter, thermostat, gaskets, oil, and anti-freeze.
So far I’m in it for less than $500 plus labor. Other than faded back paint, there is a broken wheel lip flare on the right front the guy at the JY told me I could have for $10.
Really looking forward to my first Jeep now!
Has anyone ever attempted to install a small block Chevy V8 in one of these?
I’ll keep you all posted on my progress. Until then, good bye from the swamps of South Central Louisiana!!

 

Okay, as I was getting ready to pull the fried moor out of my '96 and replace it with the motor out of a '98 (suppossed to be a direct fit), I decided to pull all of the sensors off of the old motor as to not break any if I needed them on the new motor(the towmotor driver at the JY wasn't very gentle). I pulled what appears to be a temperature sensor off the left rear of the head right in front of the last head bolt on that side. When I went to pull the same sensor off the '98 motor, there was no sensor! There was a machined boss but no threaded hole for the sensor. Is it in a different place on the '98 motor? Any suggestions? HELP!! Please email me at fkitko@gmail.com. Thanks in advance.

 

Oh, by the way, both heads are the 0630 casting.

 

Okay, as I was getting ready to pull the fried moor out of my '96 and replace it with the motor out of a '98 (suppossed to be a direct fit), I decided to pull all of the sensors off of the old motor as to not break any if I needed them on the new motor(the towmotor driver at the JY wasn't very gentle). I pulled what appears to be a temperature sensor off the left rear of the head right in front of the last head bolt on that side. When I went to pull the same sensor off the '98 motor, there was no sensor! There was a machined boss but no threaded hole for the sensor. Is it in a different place on the '98 motor? Any suggestions? HELP!! Please email me at fkitko@gmail.com. Thanks in advance.

 

Okay, I got the motor in and it fits. Here are some things to look out for: 1. I had to drill and tap a 1/8" NPT hole in the thermostat housing for the temp switch which is originally located in the left rear of the head on the '96 but not the '98. Not to worry, the two sensors will not interfere with each other. 2. You must use the coil from the '96 as the plugs are different. 3. Ditto for the oil pressure sensor. Well, all I have left is the PS pump, A/C compressor, radiator, condensor, fan, and shroud. If there are anymore issues I'll let you know!

 

Well,
Got everything hooked up. Man, she runs strong! Spent more than I wanted to but I'm still in it for less than a grand (incl. title, etc). If anyone try's to put a 97 or later motor in a '96 email, and I'll give you some tips that will save you a lot of time!