Jeep 4.0L Camshaft Upgrade | Jeep Cherokee XJ

In this video we are going to be continuing the process of rebuilding my Jeep Cherokee XJ that was hit by a deer. Today we will be tearing down the Jeep engine to replace the cam shaft with a Comp Cams Camshaft! I will be showing you have to do the whole job from start to finish on the Jeep 4.0L. If you have any questions that the video does not cover, make sure to leave them below.
OutJeeping Merch Store: outjeeping.com
Jeep 4.0 COMP Cams Xtreme 4x4 Camshafts 163-201-5: www.summitraci...
COMP Cams Pro Cam Lube 153: www.summitraci...
Jeep 4.0 Block Heater: www.amazon.com...
Harmonic Balencer Pulller: www.amazon.com...
Rockauto Parts that fit a 99 Jeep XJ 4.0L:
Harmonic Balancer: SKP SK594018
Lifters: MELLING JB2011
Push Rod: MELLING MPR437
Timing Chain & Component Kit: MELLING 3385SB
Intake & Exhaust Manifold Gasket Set: FEL-PRO MS93094
Head Gasket: FEL-PRO 9076PT1
Timing Cover Gasket set: FEL-PRO TCS45117
Motor Mounts: ANCHOR 2572
Music Credit: Garage by Topher Mohr and Alex ElenaDusty
Fingers by DJ WilliamsMusic

[@luispintor2308]

Thank you for the step by step explanation. It makes me feel a little more confident in tackling any job on my XJ. All your videos are very helpful!

[@bjrnhjjakobsen2174]

I am still waiting for you changing the heater core 😂

[@OutJeeping]

I got my AC uncharged, so I may consider it.

[@Skiridr22]

I did mine it was fun my mechanic is officially scared of me

[@Skiridr22]

Change the evaporator while you’re changing the heater core

[@colemanhooper1316]

Dex has a good video on that

[@bezalelex31]

My "go to" anything XJ platform. THANK YOU AUSTIN!!! Saved me a lot of coin.🤑

[@moabwheeling1305]

Great video again Austin ! You are very well spoken and give great direction .Merry Christmas to you and your family and catch you on your next video. I'm looking forward to it.

[@OutJeeping]

Merry Christmas to you as well! I appreciate the support!

[@dustinlerch9272]

Oh yes this is what I’m talking about. The man is back

[@Fort_Worth_Talaria]

Always a great day when Outjeeping post!! Merry Christmas !

[@OutJeeping]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@johnmortimer7862]

You didn't walk the head bolts out half turn at a time? Every head I've ever pulled, I go through and give each bolt a half of a turn in increments so that they all come out at the same rate. I was taught that taking each bolt out completely while leaving the others fully tight can/will cause axial stress on the head and might crack it.

[@maxballanger]

Why didn't you replace the cam bearing?

[@gsw444]

Great job as always, I learn more from your XJ video's about my TJ than the rest of the TJ specific videos combined! You ROCK!

[@jamescorless8283]

I just did a timming chain on my 91, not fun. Its better to have a friend help.

[@Prepper007]

You didn't replace the cam bearing?

[@hayzersolar]

pro tip when taking off the intake leave a bolt on the top, so you are not fighting the intake.

[@nevamind932]

Looking forward to the next video

[@alexking2296]

Appreciate the video as always, i watched this video just to learn how to change the head gasket haha

[@dogshmog]

Those small timing cover bolts are spec's to 5ft lb, which is ludicrously loose. I just did a lot of maintenance on my 20 year old TJ and I could have spun them out by hand, I'm surprised they DIDN'T just fall out like those on yours.

[@mortenjohansen4120]

Will this setup be compatible with 1.7 roller rockers?

[@genep.6008]

Where are you located? State? Are you a certified mechanic, or DIY? Thank you.

[@OutJeeping]

I'm in Wisconsin and I'm a DIY'er.

[@bryanwallace2091]

So I'm using your video as reference for the cam replacement I'm currently doing. It's weird, I have a 2001 xj with a reman motor. The block is a 96-2004 block, but when I pulled the old cam and timing chain/sprockets, they were for a 95. Then I didn't have a cam thrust plate but a cam bolt with a spring and pin that went inside. So when I bought the 2001 cam and chain, the sprockets didn't line up(one was closer to the motor than the other) and the cam bolt was to wide(circumference length) and wouldn't fit into the new cam. So I ordered a 95 cam and it comes in Thursday so hopefully I can get it back together. Another thing that threw me off is I have the camshaft position sensor and not the distributor and also the California exhaust manifold with the 4 O2 sensors on it. Lol I don't understand the build. But thanks for your video, huge help

[@OutJeeping]

Dang, sounds like that engine was cobbled together from many engines to build 1. It makes it hard to find correct year engine parts then.

[@olaf3613]

Nice work, very helpful. I didn't know that you could get by using the old cam bearing by inspecting the cam for wear.. again very encouraging. May I suggest using brown dog motor mounts? They are indestructible!

[@dawoodk103]

Young man, you are too good in your instructions, well done, cheers.

[@jontrya]

Great video! A lot of detail! I have a 98 4.0 and was wondering if the comp cams 99-2006 kit will work? Or do I have to get the older version?

[@dalebailey1844]

Thanks for the info> unfortunately I need to put in the cam bearings as well as new cam shaft. But HAVE A GREAT DAY.

[@Kyntai]

Engine is grounded now, extra +5 hp...😀. Merry Christmas. Excellent video.

[@OutJeeping]

Lol! Merry Christmas!

[@claytonwilson5646]

The lifters could have been replaced without removing the head

[@autotek7930]

I just put a 4.7l stroker engine in my 2000 xj. Now I'm wondering if the cam upgrade is next lol. It's way more powerful than before. It twists up when I get on it and I love it. Now I kinda want more but I'm still on stock axles 😂

[@OutJeeping]

I definitely want to build one of those in the future as well. I got a spare engine already with a 4.2 crank. Did you build your engine yourself?

[@autotek7930]

@OutJeeping no sir i got mine from s&j engines. I'm an auto tech but my company is all mobile, so when I'm off our shops we service are closed. I also live in an apartment so me having a place to actually do the build is not gonna happen anytime soon. I broke a piston skirt one morning and it got outta hand fast so I made choices to get my rig back asap. It still took forever, I'm not gonna build an engine outside in west texas desert environment lol. I thought about it but the thought of sand getting in there made me feel nauseous. The next version will be a sc ls engine when I get one tons ,exocage and 4 link suspension built by me. Just waiting to hit the lottery tonight then that project moves forward

[@autotek7930]

@OutJeeping man I went on a 3 hour one way trip Thursday morning. I got death wobble going 85mph. It's never happened before but the jeep had felt different since that shop installed my engine. Now it's happening a lot. Can't drive highway speeds but I did make it back home late yesterday. I think imma get rid of my drop Pitman arm first and see if that helps. There's noting really loose but it just don't look right. Do yall know what Pitman arms will fit in the xj? I was looking at a tj one coz I don't need a large drop

[@gregj.gotham4402]

Did you get a higher volume fuel pump and a 4.7 WJ throttle body ? Get the bad dogg motor mounts !!!

[@autotek7930]

@gregj.gotham4402 no fuel pump yet only 240 12 hole injectors and I got poly motor and transmission mounts from a fab shop guy that sells on ebay. I will port or gasket match my stock throttle body when I get time. Will be doing the intake and getting banks header at that time. I'm just outta money right now lol. What fuel pump do ya'll put in em? Part number or name maybe

[@MrRadio1610]

Nice job BUT.... " NEVER EVER TURN THE ENGINE BACKWARDS..VERY BAD IDEA! i learned that in my early days of mechanic school

[@lloydsharp7993]

One other thing to do is check oil pressure before tear down and if it is low change cam bearings.

[@danhambrick6331]

Nice job Austin.Merry Christmas my friend...

[@OutJeeping]

Thanks! You too!

[@jordanh169]

Awesome video. I have a 2001 and use your videos for reference often. I wondered how much play was in your original timing chain when you removed it, was it in fair condition still? Also are you expecting a significant difference in sound with the new cam or will it sound stock? Thanks!

[@OutJeeping]

There was a little slop in my old chain and the new one was nice and tight all around. So far I noticed a difference in sound with cold starts and acceleration down the road.

[@jordanh169]

Thank you for your reply. My dad and I replaced pistons/rods/lifters in my Jeep last summer but I wasn’t smart enough to mess with the timing chain at 220k miles when I had everything apart is why I asked. Thanks for the content!

[@tobiasa3416]

Very good video 👍

[@ReyesBuilt]

Great video man! Gave me the motivation to tackle the head swap job myself !

[@KausinTheRukus]

nice job, really informative. one question ? do you just start it right up after or did you have to prime anything up ? thanks

[@OutJeeping]

@KausinTheRukus I didn't replace the oil pump so the system is still primed. The break in lube is there to protect till oil covers the cam on first startup.

[@earlbucklin8323]

nice job......... thank you

[@steve80TBG]

Great explanation and walk through. The way you talk about what you're doing and the all important why you are doing it is super informative. Thank you!

[@paulcooksey6102]

YEAH KROIL .... BOO PB

[@minoasnazos]

If I want to do that. Do I need new bearings?

[@OutJeeping]

If the old cam bearing surfaces look good, then the old bearings should be fine. They don't get as much of a beating compared to rod and crank bearings.

[@IdRatherBejeeping]

How’s the new cam preforming?

[@OutJeeping]

So far do good. Already through 3 oil change cycles. Provides more low end torque.

[@bobrbrt]

Merry Christmas

[@tswaff8106]

Wow that’s probably the first person ive ever seen that has a perfect video on how to and I’ve been watching KZbin for at least 10 years

[@JakeClouse-iw2of]

So technically it goes from a 4.0 to a 4.6? I’m curious

[@OutJeeping]

@@JakeClouse-iw2of Nope, still a 4.0. This does not change the displacement of the engine, just valve timing for better performance.

[@JakeClouse-iw2of]

Thanks for the info! Also do you think 1.7 roller rockers are compatible with this cam?

[@directionallycorrect2027]

Nice work, great video. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@sir_johnathan3177]

Did you notice a difference?

[@OutJeeping]

More low end torque mostly

[@sergiocorrales2009]

Awesome video man. You rock

[@marcuslindsey6777]

Is the distributor cap the same for an ignition rail set up?

[@OutJeeping]

Nope, coil rails have a cam position sensor in the place of a distributor.

[@gibsonhomestead6793]

I have a 2000 XJ. I removed the cam and cam bearings without removing the head, intake or the exhaust. I did have to remove the radiator and front clip. There is a very simple way to do it, especially if the oil pan is also removed.

[@OutJeeping]

How did you get the lifters to stay up and out of the way while removing the cam?

[@gibsonhomestead6793]

Behind the timing chain cover there is a large threaded plug. That goes the full length to the block. You can remove the valve cover, rocker, arms, push rods, and use a long handled magnet to pull each lifter up starting at the front once the lifter is high enough you can push in a dowel rod and lower the lifter back on the Dow. Once you do it for all the lifters, you can then pull the cam out. I replaced my cam bearings, including the rear, one without removing the head, intake, or exhaust manifold. If you have an email I can send you some pictures of how I did it.

[@OutJeeping]

@gibsonhomestead6793 Interesting, I did notice that plug while in there. Since you were doing that and not replacing the cam or lifters that seemed to work perfect. It is always good to hear of new ways for certain jobs. I got my email in the about page if you are interested. Thanks for sharing

[@danieljohnson8437]

Keep them LIFTERS.....

[@hayzersolar]

dont cut the oil pan casket it will leak no matter what you do

[@OutJeeping]

It's replaced by a new section of gasket. The old oil pan gasket section has leftover rtv on it that bonds to the gasket pretty well, so it was easier to start fresh with the provided gasket in the timing cover kit.

[@michelantoniomorin2201]

👍👍

[@dynamicascension981]

are you in the navy?

[@OutJeeping]

I am not. Why you ask?

[@dynamicascension981]

in one video you were wearing a Navy t shirt@@OutJeeping

[@dynamicascension981]

@@OutJeeping thanks for all the info. You are the reason I am digging into my own XJs

[@OutJeeping]

@dynamicascension981 Ah, yeah I got a family member in the navy. That would be why, lol.