Codeblack

I have a 1989 Jeep Cherokee Renix xj with a blown motor, I’ve already pulled the motor out and was planning on doing an HO swap. Well I was just given a 1999 motor for free that only has 80000 miles on it and the aw4 transmission and 231 j transfer case is still bolted on the motor. The problem is I notice the alternator is on the driver side down low the casting number is 53010327 on the block which I believe from what I researched came out of a Grand Cherokee wj. So my question is can I do a motor, transmission, and transfer case swap from1999 Grand Cherokee wj into a Renix xj or is it not interchangeable. I still have the RENIX motor with all the bolt on parts. Any info would be much appreciated

Codeblack

Sorry not the alternator I meant the a/c compressor is in the driver side down low

cruiser54

Easy as pie:
http://cruiser54.com/?p=100
CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS

HO INTO RENIX SWAP

OCTOBER 31, 2015 SALAD 68 COMMENTS EDIT

This swap is easier than some will lead you to believe. And generally Pooh-poohed by those who have never done it. Those of us who have done it, like myself, will share with you the things that need to be done for a successful swap. Just think of it as swapping in a long block.

• XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.
• 2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange.
• YJ and 1997-1999 4.0L TJ blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ
• XJ/ZJ blocks, and the 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications.

TJ/WJ 4.0L Engine blocks underwent clean sheet design changes effective in the 1999 WJ Grand and 2000 TJ Wrangler. These blocks are not interchangeable with XJ/ZJ engine blocks. The reason is motor mount bolt holes and belt driven accessory mounting bolt holes are in different locations, or not present at all, TJ/WJ vs. XJ/ZJ.

Now that we know which engines we can use, let’s get down to business.

The HO and Renix have some differences but none that can’t be overcome very easily.

One running change was that the rear of the head was no longer drilled and tapped for the temperature gauge sender beginning in the 96 model year. The sender can be relocated to the threaded hole in the thermostat housing taken from an HO engine. You’ll have to extend the wire to that location. Some brave souls even drill and tap the HO head at the rear for the sender.

You will be using the intake and exhaust manifolds from your Renix, along with all your sensors and wiring. Since the intake ports of the HO are slightly different, you use a new Renix gasket. Exhaust ports are identical.

An alternative on exhaust manifolds:

As far as exhaust, you can use the Renix exhaust manifold and be fine.
If you want to use the HO exhaust manifold, you must go with an HO headpipe and screw your O2 sensor into that headpipe. Standard Renix harness is plenty long to do so.
A bung can be welded into the HO manifold to accept the EGR tube.

You will need to use your Renix distributor as it is different than the HO design. See Tips #12 – Setting Your 4.0 to #1 TDC and #13 – Distributor Indexing to be sure you get the distributor installed correctly.

The flywheel or flexplate from the Renix must be used so your CPS gets the correct signals. The valve cover from the Renix allows you to keep your CCV system intact and requires no modifications.

The HO block will have a plug in the coolant galley on the driver’s side of the block, closest to the front, which needs to be removed so your Coolant Temp Sensor can be installed in it’s place just as it is on the Renix. It requires a 5/16” square drive or a modified 3/8” drive that has been ground down to fit. Do this before installing the engine.

As for the knock sensor, which is located just above the oil pan on the driver’s side of the engine about mid way, all the blocks I’ve seen are threaded for it. If not, I’ve heard they may be drilled but not tapped. Tap the hole if that’s the case.



XJ: “Regular” (not Grand) Cherokees ’84-’01
ZJ: Grand Cherokee ’93-’98 (Gen1)
WJ: Grand Cherokee ’99-’04 (Gen2)
YJ: Wrangler ’87-’95 (Gen1)
TJ: Wrangler ’97-’06 (Gen2)

Codeblack

Ok just so I’m clear I need to pull the transmission off the new motor and replace the torque converter and flex plate with a RENIX ones or it will not run right is this correct? My other question is can I and should I use the intake manifold from the newer motor because the HO manifolds had better air flow I was told or is it not worth the trouble just switch to a Renix intake manifold? I am new to all this so I’m just trying to figure out what’s the best thing to do in my situation thanks.

cruiser54

Use your current transmission and flexplate.
Intake Manifold swap is a waste of time

Codeblack

[QUOTE=cruiser54;3643881]Use your current transmission and flexplate.
Intake Manifold swap is a waste of time[/QUOTE
Is there a sure way to know if my 99 motor cam out of a zj which is interchangeable or a wj which you say is not. Does the fact that the a/c is located on the driver side down low tell me anything about which jeep this motor came out of. I’ve already posted the casting number if that tell you anything.

Saudade

The OP said they had a 99 WJ. Did I read this incorrectly?

robsjeep

If in smog **** california, you wont get that engine swap legally registered.

cruiser54

99 WJ wouldn't have an AW4 trans. Something isn't right here.

cruiser54

https://www.powertrainproducts.net/J...GINE-p/656.htm

Codeblack

Sorry I must not be explaining my situations clear enough so I will try again. I was given a 4.0 l6 motor for free it came with a transmission and transfer case still bolted to the motor it’s siting on my shop floor as we speak. All I was told about it is it’s a 99 and only has 80000 miles on it, that’s all the info I have on it I have no idea what vehical it’s from. I was excited to get the motor the transmission and transfer case were a big bonus I didn’t know there included with the motor but they were. I know the transmission is an aw4 and the transfer case is a 231 according to the tags on them. My concern is the motor I notice after I got it home that the alternator is on top passenger side where the a/c normally is on the cherokees and the a/c is on the driver side down below the power steering pump. I was planning on doing a HO to Renix swap in my 1989 Cherokee xj with the 99 motor but according to cruiser 54 post in 1999 Jeep did a clean sheet design to the TJ and WJ that are not interchangeable. I’m afraid I have one of those motors, is there a way I could figure that out before I waste my time trying to put the 1999 motor in my 1989 Cherokee XJ. Sorry for the lengthy post any info would be appreciated thanks.

cruiser54

AW4 only came in the XJ. XJ never changed to the "clean sheet" block ever.
WJ went with the "clean sheet" block in 99 and 2000 for the Wrangler.

Codeblack

Thank you that’s good news that means my 99 motor probably came out of an XJ. Now was it stock or common for a 1999 XJ to have the a/c compressor under the power steering pump and the alternator where the a/c is in older XJs

cruiser54

I don't know.

Codeblack

Ok thanks for all the other info you gave me