TKB4 wrote:
If its not disassembled now first thing I would does is a pressure test of coolant system to determine whether or not It has a blown head gasket or other more serious loss of coolant source since I assume you did not drive it far enough to notice coolant loss. If you noticed any external leaks it would probably be best to reassemble first anyway Especially before you sink a bunch of money in then find out you have a cracked block etc. I wouldn't worry too much about holes in timing cover its basically a dust shield. I hope they meant the bolt holes that hold down the valve cover if so depending on where they are you may need a different head which could be anywhere from a few hundred dollars for 2nd hand one to about $1800 for anew head.
It would help to know your location and how many miles on your jeep and any other history of the vehicle you know.
You should consider :
New exhaust valves
new head gasket
ARP Studs
EGR Delete with or without elbow kit
New Style fuel filter head if it isn't
Metal 5 volt glow plugs if no metal glow plugs now
Complete timing belt kit installation including new Water pump, Timing Belt, idler Pulleys and Timing Tensioner
Wouldn't hurt to replace crank sensor but don't have to unless thats reason it wouldn't crank.
Consider a lift pump
Consider either a free tune upgrade from this site or a Green Diesel Engineering Tune
Possibly a replacement torque converter at least in future
For the parts cost for TB kit rockers head gasket ARP bolts exhaust valves we are talking in the neighborhood of $1600 and thats if can use current head. This would also take a first timer about 20 hours . There are some things to save on things like homemade timing pin kit or rental or aftermarket kit. Home-brew EGR delete etc. There are many here that would be happy to give sound advise.
First thing would be determine the location of stripped holes in head and if they are valve cover bolts. You could have several stripped ones as long as not several in a row and probably not have a problem. Next you need to decide whether the head is useable otherwise you may want a machine shop to check it for flatness evaluate valves and rule out crack. Next you need to decide if you want to reassemble to try and prove nothing else major wrong but depending on how far you drove it most likely there isn't but if there is you will waste all your moneyed effort. Next how much are you willing to spend? Lastly how dedicated are you to put up with all the frustrations and all the hours of work ahead of you.
Will PM
I live in phoenix, az. The jeep has 146k miles on it. The previous owner tried to maintain the vehicle but the shops did poor work. The timing belt tensioner bolt is stripped out, the bolt hole the went into the head had a nut on the back side. The timing belt was able to walk and wear down to half the original size. a 4 grove serpentine belt is wider than the timing belt that was on this engine. The engine did not lose coolant, and is almost down to a bare block so pressure testing the system isn't possible. I drove it 155 miles from tucson to phoenix without losing any coolant. As far as budget goes, I'd spend the money to fix it right with new parts. I've wanted a diesel liberty for a long time.