michael Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 hey guys, i have a 88 comanche 4x2 4.0 manual. I'm putting a 97 grand cherekee auto engine into it. first i was wondering when i get to mounting the tranny to it, what will i need to get as far as pilot berring. also will my flywheel mont to the new engine. is there anything else that i should know before i get to far into it that i will need to do. also I'm doing some interier work and I'm taking the heat controles out and just want to put in some pull cable to control where the heat goes and how hot it is. as I'm doing this i want to get rid of any exter wires/vaccume lines under the hood. where would i find something about what is needed to still run the truck and what isnt needed. thanks for any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 XJ Cherokee and ZJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange. 2000+ TJ Wrangler and WJ Grand Cherokee 4.0L engine blocks interchange. XJ/ZJ blocks and 2000+ TJ/WJ blocks do not interchange without significant modifications. (1991 to 1995 YJ and 1997-1999 4.0L TJ Wrangler blocks will interchange in XJ/ZJ and visa-versa). 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. 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) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted March 2, 2014 Share Posted March 2, 2014 This should help Cruiser’s HO into Renix Swap This swap is easier than some will lead you to believe, generally 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. The HO and Renix have some differences but none that can’t be overcome very easily. Any HO engine from an XJ or ZJ through 1999 can be used. 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 the HO engine. You’ll have to extend the wire to that location. Some brave souls even drill and tap the HO head 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 the Renix gasket. Exhaust ports are identical. You will need to use your Renix distributor as it is different than the HO because they use different fuel management systems. 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. Revised 03/28/13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 3, 2014 Author Share Posted March 3, 2014 thank you cruiser, that is is about all that i have seen that i will have to change form the top side. witht he exhaust, if I'm willing to build new exhause all the way back would it be benifical to using the ho exhaust? i know they are pron to cracking as the ho's is already cracked but i was told that by welding it back up, using a flex pip and building new system (halve of my old system is cusom anyways) that it should work ok. also i was wondering which pilot bering i will be needing for the trans. I'm hoping that one day soon i can upgrade to the ax15 and 242 tranfer but as I'm about to move about nine hours away in about three months i don't wanna tackle that just yet. thank you again cruiser this was i huge help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I don't know about pilot bearing. Both Renix and HO manifolds are prone to cracking. Have yours welded and put a flex pipe in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmaxx411 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 pilot bearing in an auto trans? never heard of such a thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser54 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 pilot bearing in an auto trans? never heard of such a thing He's putting a 4.0 from an auto trans ZJ into an MJ with a manual trans. Therefore, he will need a pilot bearing in the 97's crankshaft as it currently has none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I put a97 grand Cherokee 4.0 auto in my 88 mj auto . Nothing was different you should just have to get one for your 88 put it in the 97 crank and be good to go . If nothing else it's a good starting point Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmaxx411 Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 I was under the impression he was swapping transmissions as well. My mistake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted March 3, 2014 Share Posted March 3, 2014 Pilot bearing size is really the key factor here. The Pilot hole is 1.816xx for the 92-04 HO engines, but the needle bearing section of the pilot is 1" OD and .75" ID. About the only way to get a pilot that will work with the later crank and early smaller ended input shafts is to spend the money on one of these. As of yet I have not seen any factory bushing/bearing that can be made to work with the OD/ID combination you require. I have heard of guys machining the early pilot bearings down a little to work inside the outer section of the 92+ outer pilot section, so that can be an option if you know someone with a lathe.http://www.advanceadapters.com/products/716120--pilot-bushing-590-id-x-1818-od/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted March 4, 2014 Author Share Posted March 4, 2014 pilot bearing in an auto trans? never heard of such a thing He's putting a 4.0 from an auto trans ZJ into an MJ with a manual trans. Therefore, he will need a pilot bearing in the 97's crankshaft as it currently has none. yes I'm using my old pos pergot trans for now. eventually ill either be putting in a auto or a ax15. thank you again for all your guys help!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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