All the 98 up engines are NOT created equal....
Around 01-02 there were minor changes to the ring end gap...and also the "better" newer design always has a screw-in PCV valve...
I've had two earlier style engines fail with under 100K on each...both burned a lot of oil...
My 3rd engine is the newer 02+ style and it burns ZERO oil....
BTW...tranny swappin is easy..