Clearwater Cylinder Head with New Pushrods and Rockers
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Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Clearwater Cylinder Head with New Pushrods and Rockers
Hey everybody, I recently purchased a 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ over the summer. She started overheating and the upper radiator hose ended up blowing on me. To make a long story short it turns out that the previous owner had blown the head gasket and put a bad head back on.
I have removed the cylinder head, intake, and exhaust manifolds. I am replacing the radiator, water pump, fan, both radiator hoses, the AC Compressor, as well as putting a new Clearwater Cylinder Head on. I was thinking about putting new push rods and rocker arms in as well, my question is if there is anything wrong with replacing the pushrods and rocker arms when replacing the cylinder head?
I have removed the cylinder head, intake, and exhaust manifolds. I am replacing the radiator, water pump, fan, both radiator hoses, the AC Compressor, as well as putting a new Clearwater Cylinder Head on. I was thinking about putting new push rods and rocker arms in as well, my question is if there is anything wrong with replacing the pushrods and rocker arms when replacing the cylinder head?
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: syracuse ny
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0, new lifters valve job with new springs and exhaust valves, preload set with shims
Cracked head is the most famous problem on the 01 xj. Why would anything be wrong with replacing the rockers and pushrods? Hopefully you are replacing the lifters while the head is off..
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If all your push rods and rockers are OK I would not. Unless you were doing lifters to. Then I definitely would. They wear a certain way and theoretically you should keep them in the same position. For an everyday motor not that big a deal if you don't though. But I would just swap them over to the new head in the same positions and call it a day.
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Model: Cherokee
It is common theory that “ they wear a certain way” and to orient your rockers and pushrods to the exact same hole etc .... however I’ll go against the grain and say that as long as you keep the UP side UP on your pushrods and install everything correctly it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see a problem . What is a lot more common however is hard wear to the upper push rod ends and rocker arms from being ran low on oil . It will be obvious if so usually the tip of the pushrod will not be perfectly round or not smooth etc. If there’s evidence of being ran dry before if your budget allows I would replace it all including lifters.
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would I somewhat be rolling the dice in hurting my cam shaft if I were to replace the lifters?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
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Model: Cherokee (XJ)
If all your push rods and rockers are OK I would not. Unless you were doing lifters to. Then I definitely would. They wear a certain way and theoretically you should keep them in the same position. For an everyday motor not that big a deal if you don't though. But I would just swap them over to the new head in the same positions and call it a day.
I think that’s exactly what im going to do, down the road if need be I will rebuild everything brand new
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 5
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Model: Cherokee (XJ)
It is common theory that “ they wear a certain way” and to orient your rockers and pushrods to the exact same hole etc .... however I’ll go against the grain and say that as long as you keep the UP side UP on your pushrods and install everything correctly it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see a problem . What is a lot more common however is hard wear to the upper push rod ends and rocker arms from being ran low on oil . It will be obvious if so usually the tip of the pushrod will not be perfectly round or not smooth etc. If there’s evidence of being ran dry before if your budget allows I would replace it all including lifters.
thanks brother, I’m far from an expert you guys helped me a lot
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,856
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From: syracuse ny
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)
Engine: 4.0, new lifters valve job with new springs and exhaust valves, preload set with shims
As far as wiping out the cam bearings with coolant in the oil, ...why just the cam bearings? Would it not hit all the bearings as well, and in that case, wouldn't the oil pressure be dropping? I just rather doubt that running a little while with whatever coolant leaked from a head gasket would cause measurable damage.
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Joined: Mar 2016
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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