factory 96 came with a 97 engine

hello, i was just wondering how many people have a differant year engine that came from the factory like that? does anyone also have a 96 with a 97 engine that came from the factory like that? also i have a 8.25, is it a 27 or 29 spline?

I'm sure lots of folks do as 96 was a cross-over year.

Your C8.25 will be either 27- or 29-spline.

The only way to know for sure though is going to be by counting the splines on the axleshaft. Early 96s were 27- while later ones were 29-, but Jeep is notorious for "cleaning out the supply locker" after adding a new widget. Weeks into production there will suddenly be a batch of new Jeeps with the old parts because someone found a pallet while shuffling things around.