What is this component on the back of a 1999 4.0L? Looks like it is in what was the Distributor hole on the older Gen engines?

[BillRod]

Hi All

What is this component?
It is in what looks like the Distributor hole of the older Gen trucks.

Thanks
Bill

 

[RonD]

That's the Cam synchronizer with cam sensor on top, but if its a 1999 it should have the 2 wire cam sensor, so its a 1998 or earlier

Yes, while the 4.0l OHV never had a distributor this unit operates the same way, its driven by a gear on the cam and also Drives the oil pump, so an important part
It also needs to be "timed" like a distributor was

 

[BillRod]

The pic is the engine from a rolled Ranger I bought to pull the engine and use it to replace the blown engine in my son's 2000 Explorer.
Ranger was titled as a 99, Engine is a 3Yr old 4.0 OHV Re-manufactured engine.
Called a few salvage yards to verify and was told that 98, 99 & 2000 OHV engines were interchangeable.

Turns out the Harnesses were not the same. Ranger had the connector near the top of the bell housing for the trans but the explorer did not so had to leave the Explorer harness in the truck and remove the complete ranger harness from the Ranger engine.
The Oil Pressure sender had a different connector so we swapped the senders.

The Ranger engine Cam Synch has the 3 Pin. The Explorer harness has the 2 Pin.
Pretty sure this is the only other component other than the oil sender that has a different connector.

I assume that I should put both engines #1 Cyl at TDC before I swap the Cam Synchronizers between the two so that it is easier to re-time once the engine is installed?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Bill

 

[RonD]

Yes, the 1998-2000 4.0l OHV had the faster heat heads so are compatible with 1998-2000 4.0l OHV computers

The cam sensor needs to match the computer, so yes 2000 computer would need 2 wire cam sensor

Yes, #1 at TDC on compression stroke is the timing used for cam sensors, article here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4_0-camshaft_synchronizer.shtml

 

[BillRod]

Does anyone make an adapter so I can avoid having to swap the units between engines?

 

[RonD]

If you are referring to the Cam sensor then no
The 3 wire is a hall effect sensor, so 12volt DC on/off signal
The 2 wire is a VR(variable reluctance) sensor, AC Volt signal, a frequency(Hz) signal, AC volts generated by the sensor

There would be no way to convert these signals in any consistent manner at even close to the cost of swapping them out

You don't need the Cam sensor for engine to run and drive, it would just set a code

 

[rubydist]

But if the current sensor is timed properly, all you should have to do is remove that sensor and install the correct one without having to change any timing.

 

[Shran]

But if the current sensor is timed properly, all you should have to do is remove that sensor and install the correct one without having to change any timing.

The sensors are not necessarily interchangeable. More likely in a newer truck but it may not just be a matter of swapping sensors... May need the whole synchronizer.

 

[RonD]

You for sure need the whole unit when swapping from 3 to 2 wire or visa versa