Motor swap!! Help me please?

I put a 4.0L from a manual ford explorer into an automaic explorer and it runs really ruff and has no power. I thought it was the plus and wires but after I changed that I had the same result. Is there something else I need to replace or tune? The new motor ran perfect before I pulled to put in this car!! I am desperate!! I have spent too much time and money on this for it not to work!! Please help!!!

What all did you swap?
Just the motor?
Is everything connected? Little more info please

Motor swap help!!???

I changed the motor! I had to keep every thing else the same. The previous motor had a blown head and the explorer this motor came out of had been t-boned but the motor still ran strong. I was wondering if maybe the computer or the timing sensor needs to be changed. I don't know!! I am very frustrated!! I know for a fact the motor is good!! the T-boned car was mine as well until my wife T-boned it. It runs now but runs like doggy doo!! Does it need to be dyno'd? This is my first motor swap with a motor that does not have a distributor. I don't understand the whole ignition coil system. How do I advance or retard the timing? It acts like it is out of time? It even gives an internal back fire if you rank on the pedal and let off immediatly. If I put it in gear I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep it from dying. Any advise? I no longer have the one the motor came out of. Is there a sensor that would be motor specific? I thought that since the motors were both the same and came out of the same kind of car there would be no problem!!

I changed the motor! I had to keep every thing else the same. The previous motor had a blown head and the explorer this motor came out of had been t-boned but the motor still ran strong. I was wondering if maybe the computer or the timing sensor needs to be changed. I don't know!! I am very frustrated!! I know for a fact the motor is good!! the T-boned car was mine as well until my wife T-boned it. It runs now but runs like doggy doo!! Does it need to be dyno'd? This is my first motor swap with a motor that does not have a distributor. I don't understand the whole ignition coil system. How do I advance or retard the timing? It acts like it is out of time? It even gives an internal back fire if you rank on the pedal and let off immediatly. If I put it in gear I have to keep my foot on the gas to keep it from dying. Any advise? I no longer have the one the motor came out of. Is there a sensor that would be motor specific? I thought that since the motors were both the same and came out of the same kind of car there would be no problem!!

don't panic,hopefully a rbv tech advisor will log on soon.i am not familiar with the 4.0 or i'd help you.

Check everything

If the motor is good something is not hooked up right. A spark plug could be broke, vacuum line, sensor, bad ground, wiring, bad connection. spark plug wire damaged in the swap. Something is not right if the motor is good obviously.. With so many possibilities it could be so many things.. were the plugs or wires worn? There so much to check.. just running like poo is a pretty poor description... Details? constant miss? what? stumble off idle? gimme something? double check all grounds. firing order? in your haste did you mess up firing order?

mparker8_@msn.com said:

I put a 4.0L from a manual ford explorer into an automaic explorer and it runs really ruff and has no power. I thought it was the plus and wires but after I changed that I had the same result. Is there something else I need to replace or tune? The new motor ran perfect before I pulled to put in this car!! I am desperate!! I have spent too much time and money on this for it not to work!! Please help!!!

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think you need the computer from the donor vehicle.manual vs auto tranny issues.just my 2 pennies.

skippy said:

think you need the computer from the donor vehicle.manual vs auto tranny issues.just my 2 pennies.

Click to expand...

disregard this post.blonde moment.

OK so I replaced all plugs, wires, and ignition coil and still have the same results. I have checked and double checked all grounds and added two more grounds to make sure i wasn't crazy. I have three Explorers and two books and I am really sure that all connections and plug wires are in their respective spots and orientation. It sounds like a constant miss and the motor shakes almost out of the car. If I put the car in gear it will die if I don't keep some pressure on the gas. I took it for a test drive just in the neighborhood and could not exceed 20mph. It sounds like it might have an exhaust leak and a friend suggested unhooking the catalytic converter to see if it was pluged. I have not done so yet. Put my hand in front of the exhaust to smell to see if it was burning rich or even oil but it smells fine. I tested the vacuum lines over and over but can not find a leak or a missing port. I have double checked by looking at both of my other Explorers and can not find a difference.

I am at a total loss!!! I have not Idea!!

I have replaced the:
fuel pump
fuel regulator
fuel lines
spark plugs
spark plug wires
ignition coil

I even swapped the intake off one of my other Explorers thinking one of the sensors on it were bad?

Would the injecters be different?

Would the timing be different? If so, how do I change it or correct it?

Do I need to change the timing sensor on the harmonic balancer?

I have both a chilton and a haynes repair manuals and I can not find the problem.

the Explorer that the motor came out of drove perfect except for the fact that both passenger doors were smashed in!!

I think it has to do with the fact that the motor came out of a Manual/standard and was put in an automatic but I can't seem to figure it out. I have worked on cars and small engines like lawn mowers tractors and golf carts since I was twelve and have never had so much trouble figuring out a problem with a motor. Will someone please help me?

wha year was the motor that u installed from, that will have alot todo with your problems

your wife t-boned your car?

wow. match made in heaven.

check all the vacuum lines?

both vehicles were 1991 ford explorers.

I already checked all the vacuum lines and compared to the other two Explorers I have!! It is definitly not vacuum!!

Any other suggestions?

Is there any modules or breakers or sensors that I would need to check? I can sacrifice parts from one of the others its just "wich part?" to start with and not every single part off my other before I find it!! is there a true ford mechanic out there? Is there some one out there who has at least attempted this very same feat? some one who has come accross the same kind of problem maybe!!

Anything is helpfull!!

dont know if it can be done, but did you cross the fule line's

fuel,sorry cant spell this morning

The timing is not adjustable.

Surprised nobody has asked this yet, but...have you checked for any trouble codes? We really can't do much to help you without something to go on at this point: there are so many possibilities...

Have you checked your fuel pressure as well?

Don't start randomly replacing stuff. You'll lighten your wallet quickly with no guarantee of fixing the problem.