bryweb

I can not guarantee anything, but mine said the same and covered my 1996 0630 head, one from Ebay from the seller above, and one from Rugged Ridge.... I am 99% sure you will have no problem, it just states those years because earlier years do no have the dual precats.

I do know the 99 and later Grand Cherokee WJ blocks are different (Accessorie Mounting bosses I have been told)

I did see my 96 Cherokee 4.0L Motor bolted in a TJ when I bought it, from some research my opinion is if the TJ motor is 98 or older will fit, 99 -2005 will NOT.

gibby56

Just ordered one. Will keep you posted.

gibby56

OK.The jury is in. It fit the head fine, but clearing the intake was another story. After 'bout 4 hours of rotory filing the bottom of the intake in 4 places and peening 3 header tubes I got it to fit. '97 head with '01 intake. Checked the '97 intake but didn't look like it would be any easier. Would not suggest it for the novice but can be done. Probably took longer than necessary but didn't want to overdo it on either one. I was suprised how small the exhaust ports were on the '01 head. Barely an inch. Glad I made the switch tho. Less head worries and breath better. Thanks for the help.

bryweb

My first on on a 96 motor and 2000 intake with Rugged Ridge Header had one tube hit, it was welded wrong in the Jig and they sent me a new one overnight, My two eBay ones have bolted right up..... 96 with 2000 manifold, and a 99 with 99 manifold.

I would returned it, I tried tweaking mine too before calling for a replacement.

Bryan

gibby56

Didn't have time to return. Wife's ride. Had to get it back on the road.

bryweb

Well I put my Motor/Transmission, and Transfercase all in at once, and I have to say it went much easier than just the motor usually does, maybe its from doing (4) of these motorswaps in 2000 Cherokee's in the last couple of years and remembering things first.

Even with my winch bumper I was able to slip it in, but I was on the 1 ton setting to begin, got it almost in (with a floor jack holding up the transfercase end up) then I set the motor down on front of oil pan and moved the boom out to 1/2 ton to finish pushing it back towards firewall and into the motor mounts.

I have around 3" of lift and a SYE on my transfercase (but should not matter). I also put my ebay header and intake on before installing, the transmission lines were still on the trans, etc. Once the motor was bolted in, we put the crossmember in and bolted it all in.

It was pretty easy to lift the transfercase up to make it all straight to get over the bumper/front. It was just the two of us and we never really had to fight it or kill ourselves, just took our time and lowered lift, raised floor jack, repeat until it slipped in, a little nudging with my 3' pry bar and bam I got engine mount bolts in.

Here are the photos someone requested,

mackmxz

Just ordered exhaust manifold and will be doing the swap as soon as i receive it. Got the 98 tj motor all set to go in with all new head gasket, oil pan gasket, timing cover and seal, valve cover gasket, and water pump. Let you know how the swap goes after i get it all squared away.

bryweb

Make sure you use the XJ Flex Plate at the back of the crank - the TJ is a different Flex Plate.

I just had a scare because I am currently doing a 99 motor in a 2000 and it won't start, I was concerned because I forgot to swap the flex plate that the crank sensor was not working right, but The XJ's appear to be the same from 96-01... but looking the TJ's are different.

mackmxz

Special thanks to bryweb.

So finally got around to doing the motor swap. Everything went as planned and was by far the easiest project I have done. I have done several motor swaps on mustangs, sierra pickups, and trailblazer ss but this jeep was like working on a go cart.

Went a lot easier due to having all the right information from people who have already done it. So thank you for this thread.

So the 98 tj block with the 0630 head was a perfect fit with factory accessories,brackets, and intake manifold. Had to make the brackets for coils and the swap of the cam position sensor went smoothly.The eBay header worked great with some minor tweaking that involved heat and hammer. Not unusual I have run into this issue with several aftermarket exhaust manifolds on other applications.

Excellent information here on this site. Thank you!

bryweb

Your Welcome, and thanks for letting us know how it worked out,

Now do the Dodge Viper Coil Swap, the Neon Injector Swap and a Cold Air intake and it should really come alive.

Dodge Viper Coil Swap I did this after finding my coil was bad during my last swap (used a Caravan Coil though)



Bryan

cduff29

I have a question about the exhaust manifold problem. Swapping a 97xj 0630 head to 01 xj. After reading this thread I purchased the header from ebay. Just for curiosity sake I held the stock 01 Exhaust manifold up to the 0630 head and it appears to cover the ports on the head completely. Is the need for the aftermarket header just to allow for proper exhaust flow since the 01 ports are smaller? I know having the aftermarket header has other benefits but is it really necessary?

Also, the ebay header doesnt fit completely. The pipe for the 3rd cylider hit the intake (01). The 97 intake clears fine. Emailed the ebay seller, hopefully they can resolve.

bryweb

Yes the Aftermarket Exhaust manifold is necessary to cover the bigger ports on the 0630 head, the stock manifold won't cover the ports - at least mine never did and surprised yours does. I always checked on 96 motors, my last was a 99 motor swap and I never looked honestly....

I had my first Rugged Ridge Header hit the intake manifold, they found they had a batch that was welded wrong in the jig and sent me a new one overnight (and upgraded to polish stainless), the second two swaps I did with eBay polished stainless headers and I had no problem with either (Two using 2000 intake manifolds, One a 99), but I do recall someone else in this thread said they had a problem hitting the intake.

Just make sure you have it seated down on the dowel pins and flat on the head.

Any questions, just hollar.

Bryan

HS00XJ

Subbed for all the info...just in case...fingers crossed.lol

XJ Jimmy

I know this is an old thread but hopefully you'll help a fellow jeeper out. I blew the motor in my 01 xj and have a really good deal on a 98 motor right now but i want to make sure it will work before i go buy it. If im correct, all i have to get is the headers, swap the distributor, mount the coil pack, and swap the sensors. Correct? Please let me know as soon as you can and thanks alot in advance!

bryweb

You have it all covered!!!! I have done 3 of these swaps (two 96 motors and a 98). 98 is a good motor swap for it.

• I use permatex copper gasket sealer for the header gasket on both sides.
• Last two were eBay Stainless Headers (first one was Rugged Ridge) Warning bottom center bolts are a bear to get to.
• Chevy Starter shims work great for the coil mounts to the valve cover bolts
• I always just swap the intake manifold with all the sensors.
• Make sure you look at how to put a toothpick or pin in to align Cam Sensor

PS: If you can get your old motor to spin so Cylinder 1 is at Top Dead Center - and take a photo where the Cam Sensor is pointing, that will help the most when reinstalling it, put the new motor cylinder at Top Dead Center - put the pin in to align cam sensor, then put the sensor in so it pointing at the same spot.

http://www.justanswer.com/jeep/3wko2...ed-engine.html