SOHC 4.0 into a 87 BII?

unoleisu · Sep 19, 2011

I have a 87 BII, 2" body lift, stock 2.9, (92) Explorer M50D, 8.8, D28.

So, I have a 97 Explorer 2wd (SOHC 4.0) sitting in my driveway, that needs a timing chain. I also have a 92 Explorer 4x4 (OHV 4.0) I bought for donor parts.

I saw that the SOHC 4.0 has 207 HP, vs OHV 4.0 with 160 hp.
I plan to swap into my 87 BII one of these 4.0's
I saw one thread that described roughly a succesful SOHC 4.0 Swap, and I am interested in this direction, over the other.
Any one know if there are any big issues with a 97 SOHC 4.0 swap into a 87 BII with a 2.9, and (92) Explorer M50D ?

Is there a detailed swap write up anywhere that you might know of?

This is a daily driver, and I need to prep as much as posible before I launch into a swap. Thanks for all responses!

adsm08 · Sep 19, 2011

I can forsee some issues here. Chief among them is that the SOHC was never offered as an EEC-IV engine. It has always been OBD-II. That's going to present some issues.

I am planning to do this swap into my 88 in the next few years here. My plan is to find a Ranger from 2001 or 02 and grab engine harness, the whole dash, and go from there.

Not sure if you realize how much work is involved in that timing chain, but it's a pain. If this is a DD that needs to be done quick, go with the OHV engine.

4.0B2 · Sep 19, 2011

as much as i'd like to see the sohc swap done, i think if i was you, i'd do the ohv swap.. its simple. and you'll love it. i do realize the sohc has more power-- i think it'd be a hard time consuming swap..

if you do it, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! and do a write up on it. i might wanna do it one day! lol j/k..

unoleisu · Sep 20, 2011

Well, I read RacinNdrummin's thread, and got interested in the idea. I did actually read up on the timing chain fix, and realize what's involved there. Not thrilled about doing it, since the engine has to be pulled to replace all three timing chains, but won't pay for a shop to do it. I have a perfectly good 97 Explorer, minus that chain issue.....hate to dump it at a salvage.
My original plan was the OHV 4.0 swap. I'll probably still go that direction, but was thinking....207 hp vs 160 hp, and I have both in my yard...........maybe I could find a cheap ranger to use as a DD while I do a swap......

Snoranger · Sep 20, 2011

adsm08 said:
I can forsee some issues here. Chief among them is that the SOHC was never offered as an EEC-IV engine. It has always been OBD-II. That's going to present some issues.

Thats really not a problem. The OHC computer will run it just fine.

unoleisu · Sep 20, 2011

I'm confused. If I swap the computer with the harness on the SOHC, then where's the problem, but Snoranger, your saying I can use the BII computer? can you give me details? (An extended writeup complete with pics, vidio and popcorn would be even better)

I understand in either system, the computer monitors the sensors and adjusts the engine operation according to the info it recieves, and the OBD-II system is the EEC-IV system, with more sensors added (basically). So, the SOHC can run with the BII's EEC-IV System?

adsm08 · Sep 20, 2011

snoranger said:
Thats really not a problem. The OHC computer will run it just fine.

I know it's been done (by you). My question about it is this:

You have a single cam synchro running the cam position signal for the OHV.

The SOHC has a cam position sensor for each cam.

How do you deal with that?

adsm08 · Sep 20, 2011

4.0B2 said:
as much as i'd like to see the sohc swap done, i think if i was you, i'd do the ohv swap.. its simple. and you'll love it. i do realize the sohc has more power-- i think it'd be a hard time consuming swap..

if you do it, DOCUMENT EVERYTHING! and do a write up on it. i might wanna do it one day! lol j/k..

The only reason I am even bothering with a SOHC swap instead of OHV is that I already have the engine and didn't pay anything for it. It has 90K and will be getting rebuilt first, but I have it.

unoleisu · Sep 20, 2011

ER, Wait, My BII has an OBD-I system, doesn't it? I just woke up, work all night. Sorry...

4.0B2 · Sep 20, 2011

yes the b2 is an obd1

Snoranger · Sep 20, 2011

adsm08 said:
I know it's been done (by you). My question about it is this:

You have a single cam synchro running the cam position signal for the OHV.

The SOHC has a cam position sensor for each cam.

How do you deal with that?

The SOHC only has one cam position sensor, not two. Its on the drivers side valve cover.

I currently have no signal to the computer for the cam. I have a code and a check engine light. It bothers me, but it doesnt affect the way it runs.

I have a few cam syncs and oil pump drives (8 to be exact) from OHVs and SOHCs, I havent found a OHV cam sync that will work in the SOHC block. BUT, I did find that I can make a cam sync body to fit the OHV shaft and sensor, and the SOHC block. It really wont be hard, I have a mini lathe in my basement workshop.

unoleisu · Sep 21, 2011

Hmmm. Maybe I should go with the OHV. What upgrades can be done to it to increase HP? Since I'll have it out, That would be a good time to do any mods. deffinately add a block heater, maybe port it. Any other ideas?

country0001 · Sep 22, 2011

unoleisu said:
Hmmm. Maybe I should go with the OHV. What upgrades can be done to it to increase HP? Since I'll have it out, That would be a good time to do any mods. deffinately add a block heater, maybe port it. Any other ideas?

The 4.0 ohv stock is so much of an improvement over the 2.9, you won't need any more hp.

What do you plan on gettin into where you'll need more than the 4.0 offers?

I have no problem pulling trailers,or driving above the posted speed limit.
:icon_confused:

country0001 · Sep 22, 2011

Why a block heater?

unoleisu · Sep 22, 2011

I plan to pull mountains. When it's cold.

SOHC 4.0 into a 87 BII?

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