I have a 2000 xj which should come with a 0331 head. I also found a 97-98 xj head for cheap but it has been hydro-locked with two bent valves. Thinking of picking it up as spare.

Is it direct swap in?

will a hydro-locked head potentially have any damage or crack? I will be taking it to machine shop to redeck it anyways.

what other head modification would you guys do? (harder spring, 3-5 angles radius cut, port polishing, etc) Any of them worth it?

 

fwiw. I am at 260k miles with the 0331 head. Still no sign of it cracking. If it ain’t broke.

 

The 0331 head has smaller ports than the 98 head..need some adapters to match up to the exhaust pipes....the 97-98 head is not drilled to accept the coil rail . Its not a good fit for a spare unless its in good shape and free...then sell it and get the proper spare

 

Get a 0331 head from a 2002 or 2003 Grand Cherokee those years have the TUPY 0331 head that doesn't have the cracking problem . you can get them cheap at pick and pull yards

 

What tech said.
Later '02 to '04 WJ and later '02 to '06 TJ.