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Distributor in a 4.0?


Flash Gordan

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I have been searching the tech library and haven't found the information I've been looking for. I pulled a 4.0 out of a 91' Explorer a couple years ago. And I'm about to swap my knocking 2.9 out of my 89' Ranger for the 4.0. I was looking at the block this afternoon and noticed that where the distributor goes in the back is blocked off by a round plug with a distributor hold down holding it in. I'm curious as to if anybody has swapped the distributorless ignition out and installed a 2.9 distributor in?
 


bobbywalter

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you could but that would be going backwards.


the 2.8 type would have to be lengthened or adapted to the 4.0 base if you were to put a carb setup on it with a duraspark or something.
 

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The electronic controls won't support it. It's pointless and stupid anyway. Why have to screw around with timing when you can let the computer do it for you?
 

Flash Gordan

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Just trying to figure out what the easiest way to get the ignition working with the 4.0. Thought it was interesting to see that the block had a place to mount a distributor.
 

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Just trying to figure out what the easiest way to get the ignition working with the 4.0. Thought it was interesting to see that the block had a place to mount a distributor.
It doesn't have a place to mount a distributor. It has an access to install and oil pump drive rod/gear.

The easiest way to get the ignition working is to go to the bone yard, get a headlight harness and DIS module from a 4.0 truck, and install them.
 

bobbywalter

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It doesn't have a place to mount a distributor. It has an access to install and oil pump drive rod/gear.

The easiest way to get the ignition working is to go to the bone yard, get a headlight harness and DIS module from a 4.0 truck, and install them.
which is essentially what a distrutor does....cam position sensor...


its just its other job. the edis 4.0 is lucky...it only has one job.....what a lazy bastard:icon_rofl:
 

Flash Gordan

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you could but that would be going backwards.


the 2.8 type would have to be lengthened or adapted to the 4.0 base if you were to put a carb setup on it with a duraspark or something.
What about fitting a 2.9 distributor in there?
 

Flash Gordan

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It doesn't have a place to mount a distributor. It has an access to install and oil pump drive rod/gear.

The easiest way to get the ignition working is to go to the bone yard, get a headlight harness and DIS module from a 4.0 truck, and install them.
Would a similar year explorer have a DIS module as well?
 

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Why would you want to? Carb? You can control the ignition with Megasquirt, but at that point you might as well control fuel with it too.
 

Flash Gordan

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I have no desire to put a carb on top of a 4.0. But I don't want to hack into the wiring harness just to make sure everything works correctly. I don't want to have a check engine light on just because I forgot to plug a wire in.
 

adsm08

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What about fitting a 2.9 distributor in there?
The 2.9 would have a better chance of working than a 2.8. At least it would spin the right way.

Would a similar year explorer have a DIS module as well?
Yes. EDIS6 modules can be had from pretty much any Ford 6-cyl between 1990-1997, as long as it is not a pre-95 3.0/3.8.

They are kinda like the TFI modules. It doesn't matter what engine it was on, or what car it was in, as long as it had the right number of cylinders it will work.


I seriously think you might be making this a lot harder than it really is since you are working with an 89 here. Basically, you go find a 4.0 Ranger 91 to 93. Strip every piece of wire out of the engine bay, including the headlight harness and the EDIS module, drop the engine in your truck, plug everything in, and turn key. Drive.
 
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Flash Gordan

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I seriously think you might be making this a lot harder than it really is since you are working with an 89 here. Basically, you go find a 4.0 Ranger 91 to 93. Strip every piece of wire out of the engine bay, including the headlight harness and the EDIS module, drop the engine in your truck, plug everything in, and turn key. Drive.
I'm not trying to make anything hard. But I don't want to have to go searching for a 91 to 93 4.0 Ranger when I got a engine from a 91 Explorer and have another 93 4.0 Explorer where I can strip parts from if I need them.
 

adsm08

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So get the parts out of your parts truck.
 

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The electronic controls won't support it. It's pointless and stupid anyway. Why have to screw around with timing when you can let the computer do it for you?
Funny, although I don't think you meant to be.

The 2.9 distributor could work, but you should change the drive gear because the harder 4.0 roller cam may not be compatible with the gear material sine the 2.9 uses flat tappets.

The torx drive shape is the same shape,so the oil pump driveshaft would probably work.
 

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