2000 XJ engine replacement.

VintageBlueOval · 12-02-2010, 08:09 PM

Hey guys,

I've got a 2000 XJ with a 4.0 that needs a new engine. I think the head cracked, it overheated and is now siezed. There are lots of used 97-99 4.0s out there, but I can't seem to find a clear answer about whether an earlier year longblock will swap in. I can't find a used 00-01 XJ engine.

Will a 97-99 XJ 4.0 longblock accept all my 2000 manifolds and accessories and bolt in? Anybody have personal experience with this? I know the head changed between 99 and 00, will this be an issue? Anyone found any references that adress this stuff?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Ted

**jeepkid03** · 12-02-2010, 08:42 PM

a '97-'99 block will work, but you will need a newer style head so the coil packs will fit. You can get a 0331 head from a '03-'04 WJ 4.0 or '03-'06 Wrangler 4.0L. These heads have the newer improved head casting with TUPY stamped into the head. You could also go with an aftermarket head from Alabama or Clearwater cylinder head. These are strengthened in the area known to crack. The older heads would require you to fabricate a bracket to mount the coil packs on the head.

The other difference would be the distributor. 2000 and 2001 models have the distributorless ignition, and have a cam position sensor where the distributor drive would be on earlier models. Swap out your sensor for the distributor on the earlier block and you should be good to go. The sensor will need to be set to the right position but there are threads on here describing how to do that. I'd find the engine with the lowest mileage.

VintageBlueOval · 12-03-2010, 09:32 AM

Thats great info, thanks! Where will I find the stampings on the head? Are there differences in the shortblock (mount points, etc) on the later TJ and WJ 4.0s? If I find the right deal on a complete engine from one of those, that would make sense rather than piecing together an older shortblock and later head...

Thanks again!

Oh, and if it's any consolation for the 0331 head haters, this thing has 235,000 well used and trouble-free miles.

cumminsjeep24 · 12-03-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepkid03

a '97-'99 block will work, but you will need a newer style head so the coil packs will fit. You can get a 0331 head from a '03-'04 WJ 4.0 or '03-'06 Wrangler 4.0L. These heads have the newer improved head casting with TUPY stamped into the head. You could also go with an aftermarket head from Alabama or Clearwater cylinder head. These are strengthened in the area known to crack. The older heads would require you to fabricate a bracket to mount the coil packs on the head.

The other difference would be the distributor. 2000 and 2001 models have the distributorless ignition, and have a cam position sensor where the distributor drive would be on earlier models. Swap out your sensor for the distributor on the earlier block and you should be good to go. The sensor will need to be set to the right position but there are threads on here describing how to do that. I'd find the engine with the lowest mileage.

X2. very thorough answer

J-Mox · 01-04-2011, 07:54 AM

I just found this thread while searching about swap options.

I've got a 2000 Cherokee with a bad motor

I found a 1998 motor that the guy said had low mileage when pulled. I've also heard there's a difference in the intake and exhaust between the two. Is this true or not?

Just trying to find out if this is my best option or keep looking for a newer motor.

adkmehrman · 01-04-2011, 08:27 AM

The intake manifolds are no for sure are different in 00 - 01 compared to the 98. I would try and get a complete engine if I had to do it.

FairlanePhil · 01-04-2011, 09:31 AM

Any reason not to just use all the accecories and manifolds from the 00-01 on the 98 mill?

The only issue I have read about but I have not confirmed is that the ZJ 4.0s engine mounts are tapped in a different spot on the block. Maybe someone can confirm that.

**CJ7-Tim** · 01-04-2011, 01:13 PM

TJ and WJ blocks DO NOT work for an XJ swap. The TJ and WJ blocks share a different arrangement for the fan belt accessories and you can't work around the differences to install them in an XJ.

FairlanePhil · 01-04-2011, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7-Tim

TJ and WJ blocks DO NOT work for an XJ swap. The TJ and WJ blocks share a different arrangement for the fan belt accessories and you can't work around the differences to install them in an XJ.

So you cannot bolt the XJ brackets to those blocks?
Can you use the TJ/WJ accessories?

mrkvickasteve · 01-07-2011, 02:42 AM

vintage blue oval, did you ever find a fix for your xj? also, I have a similar problem with my 2000 4.0 xj and I was wondering if a 1997 4.0 xj motor will fit?

from what I see in the forums the answer is YES but I need the newer head so my questions are,

can I use the 97 block in my 2000?

my head gasket blew, but not the head but may just use an improved head like
the 03-'04 WJ 4.0 or '03-'06 Wrangler 4.0L. Can I do this?

will my intake manifold work on the 03-'04 WJ 4.0 or '03-'06 Wrangler 4.0L head?

will all of my accessories bolt up to the new 03-'04 WJ 4.0 or '03-'06 Wrangler 4.0L head and 1997 xj donor block?

Will my current auto trans work with this motor If I use the flywheel and torque converter from the 2000 that I need the donor 1997 motor for?
surely someone has had this happen in the past

**CJ7-Tim** · 01-07-2011, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairlanePhil

So you cannot bolt the XJ brackets to those blocks? Can you use the TJ/WJ accessories?

There are no holes and no threads for the XJ brackets on the TJ/WJ block and the TJ/WJ accessories don't physically fit into the XJ engine bay.

**CJ7-Tim** · 01-07-2011, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkvickasteve

I have a similar problem with my 2000 4.0 xj and I was wondering if a 1997 4.0 xj motor will fit?

The answer to all your questions is yes. 1997 and 2001 use the same flywheel.

Redheep · 06-04-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ7-Tim

There are no holes and no threads for the XJ brackets on the TJ/WJ block and the TJ/WJ accessories don't physically fit into the XJ engine bay.

wj

meet XJ

you have to drill and tap 6 holes and shave some off the back of the timing chain cover bolt holes

not impossible

and brown dog sells mounts that will save you drilling some of those holes

when someone offers you an engine with 30k on it, you make it FIT

**filluptrk** · 06-04-2011, 09:10 PM

The oil pressure connector is different on these blocks I notice.