1998 explorer 4.0 to 1999 ranger 3.0..... how hard is it?

Spurs234 · Mar 6, 2018

The 3.0 motor is no good in my ranger any more. The block is all rusted and the head gaskets are popped. It sat for a while but I have the opportunity to buy a 1998 explorer 4.0 that's a manual for $180. My ranger is also a manual. It runs and drives but the motor has a small tick to it. It sounds like a cam lifter to me but it could be many other things. My plan is, if it's easy enough to do the swap is to redo all of the seals on the 4.0 and put new rod bearings in it and new cam lifters and new push rods and a new timing chain if it's not to work out to kind of freshen it up. The 4.0 only has about 153,000 miles. Is it worth it or should I look for a junkyard 3.0? Also how good are the 4.0 engines?

ericbphoto · Mar 7, 2018

A complete donor vehicle for that price? Does it run? I would go for it. I am sure you will be happier with the 4.0 than the 3.0. Swap everything. Engine, trans, ecu, wiring harness, etc.

There is some issue with certain 4.0's having timing chain issues. I'm not sure what years, though. Just check into that. But even in my opinion, that wouldn't be a deal breaker. Just make sure you do a good rebuild before installing it.

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fastpakr · Mar 7, 2018

Find out if it's an OHC 4.0. If it is, and you're hearing timing chain noise, I wouldn't bother with the swap. If it's an OHV engine then it's probably a good swap.

Craig0320 · Mar 7, 2018

fastpakr said:
Find out if it's an OHC 4.0. If it is, and you're hearing timing chain noise, I wouldn't bother with the swap. If it's an OHV engine then it's probably a good swap.

I agree the ohc 4.0 is junk.

adsm08 · Mar 7, 2018

Craig0320 said:
I agree the ohc 4.0 is junk.

The OHC 4.0 is not "junk". It has a single, very specific common issue that was not solved for a few years because it took that long to start showing up. It usually takes 150K miles or more for the timing guide issue to show up in the first place.

Also, except for the overly complex timing chain arrangement it is pretty much exactly the same engine as the OHV engine, just putting out more power.

Anyway, a 98 Explorer with a manual trans is unlikely to have the OHC engine.

Craig0320 · Mar 7, 2018

adsm08 said:
The OHC 4.0 is not "junk". It has a single, very specific common issue that was not solved for a few years because it took that long to start showing up. It usually takes 150K miles or more for the timing guide issue to show up in the first place.

Also, except for the overly complex timing chain arrangement it is pretty much exactly the same engine as the OHV engine, just putting out more power.

Anyway, a 98 Explorer with a manual trans is unlikely to have the OHC engine.

My friends have both had a bad experience with them. Had one blow a head gasket at 80,000 and the other one the oil pump went out around 170,000. Pulled the pan and no sludge just shavings from when the pressure dropped going down the interstate. Both of these were trucks with the ohc. Idk I just stayed away from them.

ericbphoto · Mar 7, 2018

Also check out the thread titled "how many miles is a 4.0 good for?"

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1998 explorer 4.0 to 1999 ranger 3.0..... how hard is it?

Spurs234

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ericbphoto

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fastpakr

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Craig0320

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adsm08

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Craig0320

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ericbphoto

Overlander in development

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