1994 B4000 LE Swap?

[Walksnotruns22]

Hello everyone,

I am new here and would like some opinions please.

I recently bought a 1994 B4000 LE with 230k miles and trying to figure out what to do. It's all stock. It's smokes like a chimney when steeping on gas, leaking oil like crazy, overdrive stutters at 55mph.

I pulled valve covers and intake manifold to replace the gaskets. The more I pull apart the more I get to thinking maybe I should swap.

What do you suggest? Swap? Pull and clean everything up and reinstall? Not a fan of the automatic so was thinking going manual.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Swap to what a V8?
Its a popular swap

"Smoke" when you step on the gas is usually just old O2 sensors
Leaking oil can just be oil pan gasket(since you changed the valve covers), or could be a bad rear main which requires removing the transmission to repair

You have an A4LD automatic in a 1994 4.0l, at 230k it could probably use a rebuild
Manual would be an M5OD-R1(M5R1) 4.0l transmission
Not a hard conversion, need the M5R1, the pedal assembly, flywheel, master, clutch kit, floor plate and boot
Also drive shaft
You should also get a 1994 4.0l manual trans computer as current computer will always have the CEL(check engine light) on because transmission is no longer connected

 

[Walksnotruns22]

Thanks for replying.

Is a V8 swap hard? What motor would you recommend? I haven't fully changed gaskets because after taking everything apart and all the bolts only being less than finger tight, I was thinking what else is that loose and about to come undone. It's like the last person that worked on it didn't care enough. I can tell someone has been in it recently because the intake gaskets are like new, and they left tape and plastic (looks like the wiring harness plastic) under them.

The easiest fix for a CEL is some electrical tape over it. Hahaha.

I have never owned a Ford before.

 

[RonD]

Bookmark this page: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.shtml

Look in Conversion section for V8 recommendations

For some changing the oil at home is a challenge, for others engine swaps are a snap, so only you can decide if its "hard to do" by reading articles on doing it

 

[Walksnotruns22]

Thanks. I will for sure look at that.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[Walksnotruns22]

Thank you.