Will a 2001 4.0 DOHC motor work in a 2002?

[MichaelO]

My son’s 2002 4.0 dohc ranger develops a nasty timing chain issue today. I found a motor out of a 2001 ranger with 105,000 miles for $1300 bucks. That’s cheaper than replacing the timing chains.

my sons truck is an automatic and this motor came out of a manual truck. Is there any surprises I will find when swapping these out?
Just trying to make sure the engine will
Work before buying it.
Any computer related issues to worry about?

thank you,
Mike

 

[DILLARD000]

...2002 4.0 dohc ranger
...timing chain issue
...found a motor out of a 2001 ranger with 105,000 miles for $1300...cheaper than replacing the timing chains.
...automatic...this motor came out of a manual...any surprises I will find when swapping

Engine is a V6~4.0L~SOHC\SingleOverHeadCams not DOHC\DualOverHeadCams
2001 ShortBlock will swap with 2002 ShortBlock;
move differing upper items from 2002 to 2001 engine; reuse 2002 harness, fittings, sensors, PCM\Computer...
Strongly recommend renewing all TimingComponents+CrankSeals+Gaskets in 2001 engine before re-install;
consider upgrading original stock OilPump to HighFlowMelling OilPump.
If 2001 Engin has a BalanceShaft, consider
disconnecting short BalanceChain, abandoning BalanceShaft in place;
not needed, may result in a little more HP & fewer parts to fail.
For Timing parts: 1stChoice=MotorCraft, 2ndChoice=Cloyes\Melling; avoid temptation of cheap offbrands.
Consider replacing notorious stock JunkPlastic ThermoStatHousing with Aluminum version.
Consider a 5r55e Trans full service while swapping engines:
PanDrop + ValveBodyBolts retorq + new Filter + new PanGasket + new 5~7qt MerconV + Band adjust.

 

[gw33gp]

A short block to me means with no heads. I don't believe the heads need to be exchanged but everything mentioned for reuse is good. For sure the other new parts are highly recommended.

 

[DILLARD000]

Yep, heads should be the same.

 

[North Idaho 5.oh]

The timing chains and cassettes etc aren’t that bad actually. I personally would replace the 300k engine, but I would also entertain doing the timing components for sure if it was me doing the work. Not worth putting that much time and $$$ into something just to find out the chains still slap. The older the SOHC the more likely you are to have trouble with it. I would personally try to find the latest 4.0 I could get my hands on.
Mustang, ranger, explorer, B-4000, mountaineer, are all examples of what it came in!

 

[Broosedamoose]

I am doing something similar at the moment. I had the timing chain guide break on my 2007. Luckily I kept the engine from my 2003 that was totaled. Before installing the 2003 I am replacing all the timing components and oil pump. The engine has to come out anyway so might as well do it. I also highly recommend replacing the timing components. Especially where it's from a year before Ford came up with a solution to prolong the timing chain guides.