My wife's 2016 CX-9 has the dreaded cracked head. For some reason, while all the part numbers that I can find are the same through 2021 (and probably 2022) for the block, head, cams, lifters, head gasket, exhaust manifold, ECM, ignition system, emissions system, etc., Mazda has a different part number for the long block for 2018-2022 than 2016-2017. I couldn't find a single different part number for the engine itself. About the only part difference I could find in the electrical system remotely related to the engine was one of the two AWD modules has a different part number. The rest of the engine-related electrical is the same. The transmission is the same.

Does anyone know if a 2021 engine will work fine in the 2016? The long block and short block are on backorder. I found a low mileage I'd use if it works.

Thanks