NADA classic value is somewhere around 3 to 6 thousand also print outs of the ones on ebay that brought good money can help. Also just stick to your guns don't give them a inch. Sorry to see another MJ wrecked glad all is well.
If its a bearing you should see a drop in oil pressure. Broken piston skirt will knock quite bad with good oil pressure. Going away above idle can be piston slap, theres lots of you tube videos with the sounds.
With what these trucks unmolested have been selling for for on ebay I do not think its a bad price at all. However any amount you can get him down is a win for you.
I have a 89 4.0 that been sitting inside unhetaed garage for about 10 years. The story I got when I bought it was that it was rebuilt with no more than 10k on it.
Now 10 years later my MJ engine is staring to sound like a diesel MJ which it is not. Looking for a winter project I am going to pull the head and pan and check it over. Do you guys think it will be OK from sitting or should I just plan on another rebuild.
The inside window wipe / seal will fit the outside of the opposite door window. The inside on xj`s are mostly pretty good this saves money and at a pick n pull about 1-2 each.
Sorry to hear this however up north here we pound that out weld it up and good as new. Also could be worse friend of the family had a BAD wreck in his 454 SS chevelle today he is in BAD shape. Hes a older fellow may have been medical not sure at this point.
https://www.facebook.com/wtajtv/photos/a.111040587741.99664.97198902741/10153911047147742/?type=3&theater
I sent the guy a question he said there not touched up and all he did was wipe them with plastic cleaner. Still very pricey if you want good ones I would JUMP on the above posts new ones right away 500.00 is not bad at all for new I have seen them sell for way more.
If you do the swap when the 4.0 is out get rid of the head thats on it. The failure rate is awful google 0331 head issues. Any head 95 up to 98-some 99`s will work with the use of a adapter plate you can buy online also.
Replace the bearings and seals both while its out. Local drive shaft shop charged me 20.00 to install the new beaing and seal on the shaft which I removed myself. Lots of you tube videos out there to do it your self also.