How minor?

 

You can use wrangler engines. You just need to get a new AC compressor and mount and alternator and mount. And the tensioner pulley from the wrangler.
You got a cracked head most likely. That crack expands as it gets hotter causing the gradual lose In pressure.

 

That's what I thought

 

You can still drive it a good amount. I drove mine for like 8,000 miles with it cracked. But then I replaced it. I wouldn't recommend that If you're planning on doin a rebuild

 

My pressure drops all the way down to 0 and the the motor starts to smoke

 

You would need a bracket for the coil rail, plug the temp sending unit hole on the cylinder head. Very minor stuff.

 

Yeah, after 10 minutes mine would drop to zero too. But it never smoked. Was this before or after you hooked your radiator up?

 

Before and after

 

Did you have really bad stalling issues?

 

no, It never stalled.

 

Mine stalls every time you take your foot off the gas

 

Dang. Does the check engine light flash?

 

Would it be best to just replace the head for 50$ or the engine for 150$ ( jy engine)

 

Ok. From my experence (first rig was a 2000) crack jead can be diagnosed by having the engine at operating temp. and shut it down. Then remove the oil filler cap. Use a flashlight and look down. The heads with the bad casting( i believe its the 0331, off the top of my head- 2000/2001) are weak between the #3 & #4 cylinders. It is an external leak you can actually see bubbling out, but only when shut down due to oil flow when running. The coolant bubbles out when engine is shut down because the cooling system is under pressure(14-16 lbs) and it is not flowing. Easiest to diagnose by coolant loss in the overflow bottle. As far as oil pressure it is called a "lazy oil pump". it will do the same thing weather the head is cracked or not. Replace your oil pump and if your gonna wheel your ride spend an extra 20 bucks or so and see if you can get an hd unit rather than stock. I found one at Advanced.

 

Both of those problems i corrected on mine. Head replacement and oil pump the latter being about 5000 miles later. Ran like a champ til i t-boned a Chevy Traverse. RIP Bleu......
Good luck.