Cam shaft synchronizer

cthudak · 05-03-2011, 05:31 PM

Hi everyone,
Can someone tell me a definite way to determine which length Cam Synchronizer I need for my 1997 4.0 Ranger? Motorcraft, NAPA and Rock Auto both offer the 123MM and the 132mm length part. Being that this part is in a bad spot, I would like to be 100% sure of the part I buy before I start disassembly.

Thanks for the great site and for the help.

Bray D · 05-03-2011, 06:17 PM

I hopped on napaonline.com and searched it just for kicks. That's really weird. Have you talked to anyone in person about the issue? I'd stop by a ford dealership and see what they offer as the OEM replacement.

**brinker88** · 05-03-2011, 06:56 PM

Do you defintely have a SOHC? I though most '97s had the OHV? The OHV ones dont really have a problem, its the SOHC electonic ones.

http://www.fordrangerforum.com/3-0-v...now-needs.html

cthudak · 05-03-2011, 07:03 PM

Its an OHV 4.0 ....using a stethoscope, the squeek is definitly coming from the cam synch / sensor ( can barely see it)

**brinker88** · 05-03-2011, 07:05 PM

Well I called ford about 3 months ago and they do not carry it anymore. Your ONLY option is a junkyard or the internet

Bray D · 05-03-2011, 07:23 PM

Yeah, I know what you're sayin. I guess if its over 10yrs old they discontinue it. Ripoff. They may still be able to get it though, if another parts department still has one on the shelf.

They should be able to tell you which one it is even if they can't get one. Maybe not?

**snoranger** · 05-03-2011, 07:41 PM

I can tell you that both my 95 and my 96 had the 123mm. The 2000 I bought had a 132mm.

Bray D · 05-03-2011, 07:51 PM

I guess you could just pull the synchro and measure it? I know its a PITA, but at least you'd know for sure. Sucks spending money on something to find out its not what you need.

Snurfer · 05-07-2011, 02:59 AM

your ranger being a 97 will have the two piece cam sychro/sensor design. it should have the black sensor housing with two bolts securing it to the top of the synchro shaft. this is the longer version of the synchronizer. the shorter version of the synhro assembly came in the earlier trucks with 95 being the last year i believe. it uses an integrated one piece sensor/ shaft design.

**brinker88** · 05-07-2011, 10:34 AM

Good info dude thanks!

**snoranger** · 05-07-2011, 12:01 PM

I have 4 cam syncs on my desk at work. (I have these because I'm machining a custom cam sync for my SOHC EEC-IV swap) Heres what I found:

-They all use the same outer housing. (same part number on the casting, from 95-2000 maybe more)
-The gears are in the same location on either length.
-The extra 9mm is just an extension at the bottom of the shaft where the oil pump drive goes.
-The extra 9mm is smaller outer diameter then the part of the shaft that locates it in the block (and the gear presses onto).
-The SOHC (oil pump drive only, never came with a cam sync) did away with the extra 9mm. (checked both 97 and 01 SOHC)

Not that this really helps you with your question, but I figured it may help someone else if they figure out how to use the search button!

**brinker88** · 05-07-2011, 12:29 PM

OHV though...what about them...I've never really heard they go bad very often

05-03-2011, 05:31 PM	#1
cthudak New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Seattle Year: 1997 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 4.0 Class: 4X4 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Cam shaft synchronizer Hi everyone, Can someone tell me a definite way to determine which length Cam Synchronizer I need for my 1997 4.0 Ranger? Motorcraft, NAPA and Rock Auto both offer the 123MM and the 132mm length part. Being that this part is in a bad spot, I would like to be 100% sure of the part I buy before I start disassembly. Thanks for the great site and for the help.
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05-03-2011, 06:17 PM	#2
Bray D 2012 UA Ranger Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Manito, IL Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: DD/Weekend Warrior Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 17 iTrader: (2)	I hopped on napaonline.com and searched it just for kicks. That's really weird. Have you talked to anyone in person about the issue? I'd stop by a ford dealership and see what they offer as the OEM replacement. __________________ '96 ranger - narrowed HP D44, ChroMo shafts, geared/locked, hi-steer - 31 spline 8.8, dutchman shafts -1350/1354 doubler - 37's on TR beadlocks. Driven daily.
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05-03-2011, 06:56 PM	#3
brinker88 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Williamsport, Pa Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Used For: Weekend Warrior Posts: 3,255 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (8)	Do you defintely have a SOHC? I though most '97s had the OHV? The OHV ones dont really have a problem, its the SOHC electonic ones. http://www.fordrangerforum.com/3-0-v...now-needs.html
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05-03-2011, 07:03 PM	#4
cthudak New Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Seattle Year: 1997 Make: Ford Model: Ranger XLT Engine: 4.0 Class: 4X4 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	Its an OHV 4.0 ....using a stethoscope, the squeek is definitly coming from the cam synch / sensor ( can barely see it)
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05-03-2011, 07:05 PM	#5
brinker88 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Williamsport, Pa Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Used For: Weekend Warrior Posts: 3,255 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (8)	Well I called ford about 3 months ago and they do not carry it anymore. Your ONLY option is a junkyard or the internet
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05-03-2011, 07:23 PM	#6
Bray D 2012 UA Ranger Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Manito, IL Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: DD/Weekend Warrior Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 17 iTrader: (2)	Yeah, I know what you're sayin. I guess if its over 10yrs old they discontinue it. Ripoff. They may still be able to get it though, if another parts department still has one on the shelf. They should be able to tell you which one it is even if they can't get one. Maybe not? __________________ '96 ranger - narrowed HP D44, ChroMo shafts, geared/locked, hi-steer - 31 spline 8.8, dutchman shafts -1350/1354 doubler - 37's on TR beadlocks. Driven daily.
	Tweet

05-03-2011, 07:41 PM	#7
snoranger Boost Junkie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jackson, NJ Year: 94,94,95,01 Make: All 10 are Ford Model: Ex, Cobra, Ex, Ranger Engine: 4.0,5.0,4BT,4.0 Class: none Used For: Going places. Posts: 3,071 Rep Power: 45 iTrader: (3)	I can tell you that both my 95 and my 96 had the 123mm. The 2000 I bought had a 132mm. __________________ '95 Explorer -- EEC-IV SOHC swap. Now getting a "moderately built" 4BT Cummins, ZF, 4406, US Gear OD unit, 13" Cobra brakes, '99 Cobra wheels,.... 4BT swap thread Ranger bed trailer build Scars are just tattoos... with better stories!
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05-03-2011, 07:51 PM	#8
Bray D 2012 UA Ranger Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Manito, IL Year: 1996 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 Extreme Used For: DD/Weekend Warrior Posts: 2,041 Rep Power: 17 iTrader: (2)	I guess you could just pull the synchro and measure it? I know its a PITA, but at least you'd know for sure. Sucks spending money on something to find out its not what you need. __________________ '96 ranger - narrowed HP D44, ChroMo shafts, geared/locked, hi-steer - 31 spline 8.8, dutchman shafts -1350/1354 doubler - 37's on TR beadlocks. Driven daily.
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05-07-2011, 02:59 AM	#9
Snurfer Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: snowland, Or Year: 1995 Make: Ford Model: Ranger 4.0 SUPERCHARGED Posts: 165 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (3)	your ranger being a 97 will have the two piece cam sychro/sensor design. it should have the black sensor housing with two bolts securing it to the top of the synchro shaft. this is the longer version of the synchronizer. the shorter version of the synhro assembly came in the earlier trucks with 95 being the last year i believe. it uses an integrated one piece sensor/ shaft design. __________________ 95 ranger SC SUPERCHARGED 4.0. SAS. Belltech/ 4in ex. leafs rear. 01 ohc w/ temp. 05 sporttrac leather buckets w/ heat 02 taillights/ sporttrac instruments 35x13.50r15 toyo MTs/ 4.56 locked F/R
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05-07-2011, 10:34 AM	#10
brinker88 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Williamsport, Pa Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Used For: Weekend Warrior Posts: 3,255 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (8)	Good info dude thanks! __________________ Obsession is a word justifying your insanity. We ARE the 4x4%. Build Thread
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05-07-2011, 12:01 PM	#11
snoranger Boost Junkie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Jackson, NJ Year: 94,94,95,01 Make: All 10 are Ford Model: Ex, Cobra, Ex, Ranger Engine: 4.0,5.0,4BT,4.0 Class: none Used For: Going places. Posts: 3,071 Rep Power: 45 iTrader: (3)	I have 4 cam syncs on my desk at work. (I have these because I'm machining a custom cam sync for my SOHC EEC-IV swap) Heres what I found: -They all use the same outer housing. (same part number on the casting, from 95-2000 maybe more) -The gears are in the same location on either length. -The extra 9mm is just an extension at the bottom of the shaft where the oil pump drive goes. -The extra 9mm is smaller outer diameter then the part of the shaft that locates it in the block (and the gear presses onto). -The SOHC (oil pump drive only, never came with a cam sync) did away with the extra 9mm. (checked both 97 and 01 SOHC) Not that this really helps you with your question, but I figured it may help someone else if they figure out how to use the search button! __________________ '95 Explorer -- EEC-IV SOHC swap. Now getting a "moderately built" 4BT Cummins, ZF, 4406, US Gear OD unit, 13" Cobra brakes, '99 Cobra wheels,.... 4BT swap thread Ranger bed trailer build Scars are just tattoos... with better stories! Last edited by snoranger; 05-08-2011 at 10:24 AM. Reason: I cant f'in spell
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05-07-2011, 12:29 PM	#12
brinker88 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Williamsport, Pa Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Used For: Weekend Warrior Posts: 3,255 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (8)	OHV though...what about them...I've never really heard they go bad very often __________________ Obsession is a word justifying your insanity. We ARE the 4x4%. Build Thread
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