projectsilverchief

Hey there everyone, new to this forum. But anyway I bought a 2000 XJ for $400. I work full time for an auto repair facility and mechanical work is no problem. So it was so cheap because the head gasket blew and the customer couldn't put anymore money in it. So I bought myself a clean almost rust free rig. Longstory short It needs an engine now. I just purchased a 1997 Grand Cherokee ZJ block. I know they're interchangeable but there are some modifications needed. Im doing the swap next weekend and would like some more insight on the swap. Exhaust manifolds, can I use the 2000 manifold? The 2000 cylinder head is junk and won't be using it. What sensors will be needed to swap as the 1997 had distributor and the 2000 is C.O.P. Any information is good information!

Crazy 8s

My thoughts are that it would have been a whole lot less work and $ to have just put a new head gasket in. If I were putting in a different engine, I would probably put in a performance header because it would be easy to do with all of the stuff taken apart.

projectsilverchief

Already repaired head gasket. took cylinders 3,5,6

98XJ321

X2^^^

Crazy 8s

Oops.

projectsilverchief

Yeah my thoughts exactly. Thought I could string it along a little longer. Silly me.

RRXJeeper71

please keep us all updated!
post pics!
where are you located?

projectsilverchief

Heres my 2000 XJ. Stock ride height. 192,000 on the body. Brush guard and lights have been removed since picture was taken.





Donor 1997 ZJ, 60,000 on engine with paper work.

projectsilverchief

Im located in Northwest Illinois, Im about an hour from chicago.

RRXJeeper71

Ok. Cool
I'm from Glen Ellyn
I have a 2001 Sport

swampxj86

You need to swap over the g.c. exhaust manifold and downpipe. Your distributorless module fits directly where the distributor was. You will also have to swap over your temp sensor on the thermostat.

projectsilverchief

Does the downpipe fit in the xj well? How hard is going to be to retain the o2 sensors from the 2000

swampxj86

Down pipe fits it the same, you just need that one since yours now has 2 inlets and you need only 1 with the different manifold. O2 should screw right out if not heat it up and then do it.

projectsilverchief

Okay see what you mean. Instead of that half *** y pipe from Chrysler it's single all the way now?

swampxj86

Exactly. Not sure if you have already but it wouldn't hurt to do all the gaskets on the new motor while its out of the jeep. Also you can do the timing with the distributorless module and scan tool