90 YJ with cracked head options

[hokiesean24]

Hello-

I have a 90 YJ 4-banger with what I suspect is a cracked head. I recently sold my other car and want to use the YJ as a daily driver for a month or 2 until I buy a new car. What would be the best solution to fixing it, cheap. The block has a little over 200k miles on it. I was looking at buying a new crate engine, but it seems a bit steep for what I want to accomplish. Would you reccomend putting a new head on it?

Should I look at finding a used another 4-banger, or would it be just a cheap to replace it with a 6-cylinder. Are there some readily available engines out there I should be looking for in junk yards etc etc? I am looking to get this thing fixed ASAP, I need a car! haha.

Thanks!

[wildtyphoon]

dropping in a 6 will not be a "cheap" option... just because it doesnt just drop in. if your really pinching pennys and are gonna do the work yourself, a used head is likely the cheapest route.... albeit theres some risk involved. next would be a used engine or a reman head. i have more than twice just dropped a used engine in something to get it going again.... if its something you dont plan on having for more than a few years thats what id do.

i havent priced them out but i suspect a whole used engine will be less.... it usually is once you figure in gaskets and other stuff youll change while the engine is open.

[dirt worshipper]

Is there water in the oil or oil in the water? Didi you run a compression test? Find out for sure if it is the head before you do a lot of work. Good chance it is only the head gasket. Heads are not too difficult, and probably the cheapest option.

[vk0896]

If it is the head gasket, you are well advised to have the head rebuilt or install a rebuilt head when you replace the head gasket... I had the head rebuilt on my 4.2L six a year ago for less than a coupla hundred bux...