4.0 engine swapping ???'ss

[Bobby94]

I have 94 YJ with a 4.0 and I found a low mileage 2000 4.0 motor.Will this motor work by just dropping my distribtor in and how about the sensor hookups and computer.I know the 2000 models dont use a distribtor but they have a place for one,just wondering if the cam has a gear to drive it.

[Bobby94]

What i need to know is will the 2000 4.0 accept the 94 distribtor and what all will need to be changed to make it work,as far as wiring,computer,etc? thanks for the help...

[Hackle]

Not sure on the 2000, I know you can install a distributer. I also know that all the connections types changed for all the sensors. I installed a 98 4.0 with a 95 harness and just changed out all the sensors to the 95 style. Worked great and still works great.
HTH
Jim F.

[richbran]

how about a 96 4;liter in a 89 wrangler... is a 96 and a 89 4 liter short block the same??

[Hackle]

Yes everything will bolt up as the blocks are the same.
Jim F.
BTW I do have some experience building a YJ
http://www.hacklesjeep.com/Backdoor5.jpg

[Bobby94]

Yes everything will bolt up as the blocks are the same.
Jim F.
BTW I do have some experience building a YJ
http://www.hacklesjeep.com/Backdoor5.jpg
Uh,never said that you didn't but any way nice looking YJ

[Alfons]

There are a number of differences that you need to keep in mind when converting a "new design" 4.0 to run with the old style ECU. I did this with a '05 to run in a '92 YJ environment & here are some of the things I changed:


Distributor: The pre 2000 distributor fits, install it the same way you would on the older motor.
The whole front end of the block has been modified, so I'd recommend sticking with the PS Pump, Water Pump, and Alternator that belong with that motor.
Intake Manifold: I changed the vacuum lines and sensor "screw-in" points to work with the YJ configuration.
Exhaust Manifold: The YJ variety fits - I used the newer style of gasket. The new cast iron split manifold would be useable if you made a custom "Y" pipe to hold the single Oxygen Sensor needed to support that computer.
Flywheel: I changed the flywheel to a an older YJ version to be able to use the YJ CPS.
Throttle Body: I used the YJ version - it fits and has the right sensors.
Fuel Rail/Injectors: I used the older fuel rail & installed the Ford 19 lb. injectors. The newer rail has no regulator (it's with the pump unit), no return line (again internal to the tank), and the injectors are "richer". It runs with the newer injectors, but I found that it runs better with the leaner (YJ style - 19 lb) ones.
I think this is about it - you shouldn't hit any other major surprises.


Most of the rest is the same - motor mounts are OK, tranny & clutch attach the same way, etc. You'll need a custom bracket here & there (coil as an example), but that's about it.

[Alfons]

One additional item. If you want to use the temp gauge, the new block has no hole for the temp gauge sender unit (on top, drivers side, at the back of the block). I measured the spot for the hole (using a YJ block for the measurements) and then drilled into the water cavity and tapped the hole for the sender unit. The whole engine works well, a noticeable improvement over the earlier version.

[richbran]

One additional item. If you want to use the temp gauge, the new block has no hole for the temp gauge sender unit (on top, drivers side, at the back of the block). I measured the spot for the hole (using a YJ block for the measurements) and then drilled into the water cavity and tapped the hole for the sender unit. The whole engine works well, a noticeable improvement over the earlier version.


the engine in the 89 is carburated

[Alfons]

the engine in the 89 is carburated

Sorry richbran, I was addressing the original question that was dealing with 1994 and 2000 4 liter engines.

To answer your question of "how about a 96 4;liter in a 89 wrangler... is a 96 and a 89 4 liter short block the same??:


A '96 4 liter will bolt into the position your '89 occupies (unsure of the bellhousing boltpattern) but you'll need all the sensors, wiring harness, and computer that go with it.
The 89 4 liter short block won't be the same as your YJ 89 4.2. You can probably mix & match the major pieces to some degree, but personally I don't have the experience to give you a real good answer as to what will & won't work - I wouldn't think it would be worth it & would rather take a whole 4.0 HO and install that.

[Hackle]

Richbran I did not see the short block in your thread. The block mounting holes are the same on the 4.2 and 4.0 including the bell housing. I installed a 98 4.0 in my 89 Yj but it was complete. As far as the short block I have no idea.
I don't know what you plan to do for the wiring. Personaly I went to Hesco and bought a harness to make it simple. I did have to change all the sensors to 95 type as the 98 connection type is different. I also installed the old style fuel rail with a preasure regulator in the rail as I run a fuel cell with an external pump.
Jim F.

[richbran]

thanks.sorry to take over thread... seems like more work then this newbie is up for..thanks rich

[Hackle]

Installing complete engine like I did is not that much work. I did it in a week after work each day.
Jim F.

[Bobby94]

:thup2: :thup2: There are a number of differences that you need to keep in mind when converting a "new design" 4.0 to run with the old style ECU. I did this with a '05 to run in a '92 YJ environment & here are some of the things I changed:


Distributor: The pre 2000 distributor fits, install it the same way you would on the older motor.
The whole front end of the block has been modified, so I'd recommend sticking with the PS Pump, Water Pump, and Alternator that belong with that motor.
Intake Manifold: I changed the vacuum lines and sensor "screw-in" points to work with the YJ configuration.
Exhaust Manifold: The YJ variety fits - I used the newer style of gasket. The new cast iron split manifold would be useable if you made a custom "Y" pipe to hold the single Oxygen Sensor needed to support that computer.
Flywheel: I changed the flywheel to a an older YJ version to be able to use the YJ CPS.
Throttle Body: I used the YJ version - it fits and has the right sensors.
Fuel Rail/Injectors: I used the older fuel rail & installed the Ford 19 lb. injectors. The newer rail has no regulator (it's with the pump unit), no return line (again internal to the tank), and the injectors are "richer". It runs with the newer injectors, but I found that it runs better with the leaner (YJ style - 19 lb) ones.
I think this is about it - you shouldn't hit any other major surprises.


Most of the rest is the same - motor mounts are OK, tranny & clutch attach the same way, etc. You'll need a custom bracket here & there (coil as an example), but that's about it.

Thanks for the help...:thup2: