I'm in the process of doing the headgasket on my 92 cherokee 4.0. After installing a radiator, thermostat, pulling the water pump and checking it, I decided with the issue I was having the only thing left would be the headgasket so I said "why not" and went ahead and pulled the head this morning. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as I expected it to be. I left the ac and ps in place and pretty much just pulled the intake and exhaust manifolds pushed them to the side and pulled the head. Just like I expected after running a compression test this weekend, the gasket failed between cylinders 2 and 3.

I'm heading to O'rielly to pickup a gasket set. Is there any reasons' not to use their gaskets?

I also have some pictures I'll stick up later to show you just how nasty it was. The bottom of the valve covered was cover in milky white sludge along with the tops of the rockers and milky oil sitting on the pistons. Pics to come...

 

Just don't get cheap gaskets. Felpro is usually the best you can get from O'Reilly's

 

Ok, I was reading in another thread a guy has the gasket fail in the same place and had no coolant in the oil. It failed on the thin part of the head between cylinders 2 and 3. Should there not be coolant in the oil from it being failed there?

 

I'd suggest you take the head to your local machine shop for a rebuild.. If it's not damaged, they'll lap the valves, new guides and machine it flat for less than $100 ($75 in my case, your mileage may vary) It's worth it just to see how pretty it looks when you put it on top o' that shiny new head gasket.
Be sure to clean up the block as good as you can too.. prolly got oil in coolant and vice versa. I'd do a coolant flush, and once it's back up and running, i'd change the oil after a couple hundred miles (if not sooner)
Don't forget about that #11? head bolt.. it needs sealant as it's in a water jacket. (check manual.. not sure it's #11) Have fun!

 

Sounds pretty low for all that work, but like you said, check prices.

 

i like victor reinz head gaskets

and it is #11 that needs threat sealant, it also has a lower torque spec

make sure u follow the proper torque sequence

 

The head is at the machine shop now had it vaccum checked and magnafluxed and it all checked out. It did need a valve job so I left it with them to have that done.

How long does a valve job usually take and an average price? He said if its more than $160 he will call me and verify everything and ask for the go ahead to do the work.

 

i believe just my valve job was $150, when i did my motor i had around $400 into redoing the head alone, new everything and machine work

 

My 1990 4.0 head work cost $185 for the whole thing done locally here in Reno, NV. I did supply my own valve stem seals from the head gasket kit. It was a work of art when I got it back from the shop.

 

Vacuum check, magnaflux, valve job and resurfacing was $147.50 at one of the local maching shops down here. It now runs like a dream!

 

80 bucks to completely rebuild the head.