XJ Question

[Swamprunner]

Is it true that you can only use the block from a 2000-01 XJ to replace said year of vehicle? Reason I ask is I have two 258 blocks on the ground and I am being told I can not use them. The original motor threw a conecting rod. Any info would help.

[Little Nicky]

That is somewhat true. The engine has to be from a XJ only. The blocks have different boss locations drilled and tap for XJ only. You can use the bottom end from a 93 to newer. BUT you may have to adapt some sensors. The reason for 00-01 only is because of the coil pack that mounts to the head. The earlier XJ's use distributer and have no bosses drilled for the coil pack. Also the intake and exhaust ports are different on the 00-01 heads. Hope this helps.

[Indefatigable]

The 258 is not out of an XJ. There is alot of work to make it FI. Not really worth the effort unless you are doing the whole stroker build and so forth.
The 258 may be YJ, CJ, or some other 70s or 80s FSJ

[Swamprunner]

Thank you for the info on this issue. I was told that Chrysler tried to lighten the block up on the 00-01 and it resulted in the use of the bridge under the main bearing caps. Also I was also told about the location changes of intake and exhaust ports. I was also told the block was not worth rebuilding because of these issues. So I have been looking for a motor to replace but they are few and far between. It was a connecting rod that went but it was while turning the motor over and not a speed. Would this have made the block beyond rebuild? May just have to part the rest out as the value is not there unless I can find a used motor. I have played with the idea of a stroker.

[Indefatigable]

Not sure where you are on ONT, the closer to TO the better, but there should be plenty of that engine around as it was also in the WJ and TJ. If you have a good engine shop around, they can probably sort out exactly what you need. Could aways try the jeepkings forum as I think its local to Ontario.

[Little Nicky]

Not sure where you are on ONT, the closer to TO the better, but there should be plenty of that engine around as it was also in the WJ and TJ. If you have a good engine shop around, they can probably sort out exactly what you need. Could aways try the jeepkings forum as I think its local to Ontario.

It has to be from xj. The WJ and TJ dont have bosses drilled for the xj accessories.

[Indefatigable]

So then, just get them drilled and tapped. Not that big of a deal.