4.0 vs SOHC 4.0?

bruker · 08-30-2009, 07:47 PM

Is there much "seat-of-the-pants" difference between the two 4.0's or is it just the numbers? Aslo which do you feel is the most reliable and trouble free engine?

Blueranger99 · 08-30-2009, 08:21 PM

go for the overhead valve 4.0. i heard the overhead cam 4.0 has timing chains on the front and back of the motor and the tensioners go bad and you need to pull the motor to fix it. also i testdrove an 09 4.0 ranger and it didnt seem any faster than my 99 4.0- of course it was an auto and mine is a manual. mine is closing in on 200k and has no problems and burns no oil.

**Beef52751** · 08-30-2009, 09:52 PM

IIRC the Sohc has more top end power but the OHV makes better low end power

CheapThrillB2 · 08-30-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruker

Is there much "seat-of-the-pants" difference between the two 4.0's or is it just the numbers? Aslo which do you feel is the most reliable and trouble free engine?

OHV 4.oL hands down.

THE H.P FREAK · 08-30-2009, 10:35 PM

HI!... Well I vote the opposite. The SOHC destroys the OHV hands down. I've towed with both and raced with both. The SOHC responds very well to small bolt-ons. I've got about $1200 invested in mine and it runs 13's in the 1/4. I've had no durability problems with mine at all. JMO.

**Sasquatch_Ryda** · 08-30-2009, 10:48 PM

OHV for a 4x4 asit has more low end torque

SOHC for a street driven truck.

Ranger#1 · 08-31-2009, 02:43 AM

ha ha this thread makes me proud to own a ohv motor hell yea power to the ohv's

Jay FX4 · 08-31-2009, 07:16 AM

Is the difference between the two engines really that noticeable? I can only speak for the SOHC, which is what I have and I like it just fine, but I wouldn't have thought there would be a lot of difference.

fireguy12117 · 08-31-2009, 09:13 AM

seat of the pants, i dont have much to go since all i ever had were 4 bangers.

as far as reliability i would have to say that no such thing exists if its something made by man. two identical motors could have two very different history's for reliability so i take the stand point of ease of repair. OHV motor for sure...that design has been around forever, there is a ton of information out there on em, and with a will to learn you can figure out most anything on one of these style blocks.

i see major differences and good debates on the two styles if your going to get into modifying internals for performance.

exbass94 · 08-31-2009, 10:15 AM

Below about 1700 rpm, the OHV makes slightly more torque than the SOHC. Anything above that, the SOHC makes more torque and horsepower than the OHV.

The timing chain issue has been completely fixed by 2001. I fully intend on getting over 200k miles out of mine. My SOHC Ranger will also whoop the crap out of my OHV Explorer in a race.

SOHC FTW!

**fastpakr** · 08-31-2009, 10:23 AM

Yep - the low end torque issue is an old wives tale. You're talking about a couple of percent below 1700rpm, and a huge difference from there up. One notch down in gears and you'd far more than make up for it.

Jay FX4 · 08-31-2009, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the graph! That says it all.

08-30-2009, 07:47 PM	#1
bruker Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Western, Ohio Year: 2003 Make: Ford Model: Fx4 Level II Engine: 4.0 Posts: 177 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	4.0 vs SOHC 4.0? Is there much "seat-of-the-pants" difference between the two 4.0's or is it just the numbers? Aslo which do you feel is the most reliable and trouble free engine?
	Tweet

08-30-2009, 08:21 PM	#2
Blueranger99 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: lebanon, pa Year: 1999 Make: Ford Model: Ranger xlt Engine: 4.0l v6, k&n box filter- this thing sucks... air Class: 4x4, torsion bars cranked, lt33x12.50r15 general grabber ht tires. factory limited slip 3.73 Used For: everyday driving, work, hunting, wheelin Posts: 266 Rep Power: 8 iTrader: (0)	go for the overhead valve 4.0. i heard the overhead cam 4.0 has timing chains on the front and back of the motor and the tensioners go bad and you need to pull the motor to fix it. also i testdrove an 09 4.0 ranger and it didnt seem any faster than my 99 4.0- of course it was an auto and mine is a manual. mine is closing in on 200k and has no problems and burns no oil. __________________ a knife, a clean hanky, and a gun: stuff a guy can use! -ted nugent proud member of that evil NRA! Last edited by Blueranger99; 08-30-2009 at 08:26 PM.
	Tweet

08-30-2009, 09:52 PM	#3
Beef52751 I Wanna Go Fast!!!! Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Eastern Iowa Year: 86/03 Make: Ford Model: Ranger/F250 Engine: 2.9/6.0 Class: 4x4s Used For: Daily Driver/Beater/Toy Posts: 1,703 Rep Power: 16 iTrader: (9)	IIRC the Sohc has more top end power but the OHV makes better low end power __________________ 86 Ranger 4X4 D28 8.8 BW1350M, 33s Build Thread WTB: 6'' Skyjacker Brackets and EB Coil Springs PM ME
	Tweet

08-30-2009, 10:35 PM	#5
THE H.P FREAK Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA Year: 2007 Make: FORD Model: RANGER, SPORT Engine: 4.0L (245c.i) Class: 2WD STREET/STRIP Used For: Daily driver Posts: 171 Rep Power: 9 iTrader: (0)	HI!... Well I vote the opposite. The SOHC destroys the OHV hands down. I've towed with both and raced with both. The SOHC responds very well to small bolt-ons. I've got about $1200 invested in mine and it runs 13's in the 1/4. I've had no durability problems with mine at all. JMO. __________________ "2007" RANGER SPORT. 1/4 = 14.42E.T at 93.18MPH 2.0 60FT. ALL N/A. 13.83E.T at 96.35MPH, 1.91 60FT. on 40H.P dry shot. "1999" F-150 SPORT, BUILT 5.4 = 354RWH.P/392RWTQ, ALL N/A 13.6E.T.
	Tweet

08-30-2009, 10:48 PM	#6
Sasquatch_Ryda Coast Mountain Crawlers Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Terrace, BC, Canada Year: 1991/1997/2008 Make: Ford Model: Ranger/Ranger/SuperDuty Engine: 4.0L/3.0L/6.4L Class: 4x4 Used For: Play toy/Daily Driver/Grocery Getter Posts: 7,469 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (0)	OHV for a 4x4 asit has more low end torque SOHC for a street driven truck. __________________ http://www.coastmountaincrawlers.com 1991 Ranger - one tons, 3 link, air shocks and 40's 1997 Ranger - reg cab flare side, 3.0L, M5OD-R1, 4x4, 4.56 gears, 6" lift, 33" MT's. 2008 F350 - 6.4L Powerstoke Diesel, 35x12.50R18 Procomp Xtreem AT's on 18x9 Incubus Crushers, AFE DPF/DOC Delete pipe, H&S XRT Pro tuner, AFE Stage 2 intake 1967 Mustang Coupe - 289, c4, pretty much stock
	Tweet

08-31-2009, 02:43 AM	#7
Ranger#1 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: lake havasu Year: 1990 Make: ford Model: ranger Engine: 4.0 Class: 4x4 prerunner Used For: jumping over the dez Posts: 1,361 Rep Power: 0 iTrader: (0)	ha ha this thread makes me proud to own a ohv motor hell yea power to the ohv's __________________ chrome stacks, air horns, fender flares, and massive off set tires = mexican...its been scientifically proven __________________ http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...ct+first+truck http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/d...mcmahon/truck/
	Tweet

08-31-2009, 09:13 AM	#9
fireguy12117 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Livonia, Michigan Posts: 292 Rep Power: 12 iTrader: (2)	seat of the pants, i dont have much to go since all i ever had were 4 bangers. as far as reliability i would have to say that no such thing exists if its something made by man. two identical motors could have two very different history's for reliability so i take the stand point of ease of repair. OHV motor for sure...that design has been around forever, there is a ton of information out there on em, and with a will to learn you can figure out most anything on one of these style blocks. i see major differences and good debates on the two styles if your going to get into modifying internals for performance. __________________ 93- 4x4, sc, 4.0/A4LD, 31's, man hubs, 1pc shaft- WILL BE POSTED FOR SALE SOON! 98- 4x2, std, 2.5/5spd, bad azz lil D.D., showin her age '04 FX4, totally stock, probably going to stay that way
	Tweet

08-31-2009, 10:15 AM	#10
exbass94 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Guilford, CT Year: 2006, 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger, Explorer Engine: 4.0 SOHC, 4.0 OHV Class: 4x4 Used For: Pavement Poundin' Posts: 3,076 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (0)	Below about 1700 rpm, the OHV makes slightly more torque than the SOHC. Anything above that, the SOHC makes more torque and horsepower than the OHV. The timing chain issue has been completely fixed by 2001. I fully intend on getting over 200k miles out of mine. My SOHC Ranger will also whoop the crap out of my OHV Explorer in a race. SOHC FTW! __________________ 2006 Ford Ranger Sport 4x4 2-dr Extended Cab, 45k miles 1994 Ford Explorer Sport 2-dr 4x4, 178k miles
	Tweet

08-31-2009, 10:23 AM	#11
fastpakr Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Roanoke, VA Year: 1994 Make: Ford Model: Ranger Engine: 2.3 Lima Class: 2WD Posts: 2,724 Rep Power: 10 iTrader: (1)	Yep - the low end torque issue is an old wives tale. You're talking about a couple of percent below 1700rpm, and a huge difference from there up. One notch down in gears and you'd far more than make up for it. __________________ 99 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 1992 F-150 4wd, 5.0/C6
	Tweet

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode