2000 Ranger 4.0L 4X4 Engine Help

[toonsie]

Hi guys, I just purchased a 2000 ranger 4x4 that was over heated with oil mixed with antifreeze. Towed it home and put battery charger on it and it started up. It has major engine knocking. What is my best option for a used engine. I have a 1996 two wheel ranger that also has the 4.0 L motor, not sure if its the same or not. Also I would rather not use it as it now has 345000 miles on it, but if push comes to shove I will pull it and put it in the 2000 year. Will that motor work with it?
Thank you

 

[adsm08]

The 96 engine will be largely the same, but will have a 6 bolt crank. Your 2000 engine will have an 8 bolt. All that means is the 96 needs to keep it's fly wheel.

Personally, since pulling a 4.0 isn't that big of a job, I would put the 96 engine in the 2000 for now while either looking for another lower miles engine, or rebuilding the bad one. Or both.

 

[toonsie]

Will my 96 2wd flywheel work with my 2000 4x4 trans? Same dimensions? Also is it worth rebuilding my other 4.0 I found out from the mechanic that diagnostic it that it was over heated multiple times when owner tried to drive it home 60 miles.

 

[adsm08]

Yes, everything else on that flywheel/flexplate should be the same, except the bolt pattern at the crank.

I would say it is probably worth a good rebuild. I'd expect to need new heads, and the block needs to be checked out at a machine shop, but that is an easy engine to rebuild.

 

[toonsie]

Thank you. I just found a 1995 Explorer with the 4.0 118,000 miles. Could I use that motor, are all mounts the same and will I need to change out the computer to make it run correct. Looking to just be able to pull motor and plug and play the new one with out to much trouble.

 

[adsm08]

Changing out your computer is going to cause you a world of other issues that you seem ignorant to. If you get another 4.0, of any year, you shouldn't need to change the computer though.

Any time you take an engine from a different year or vehicle plan on potentially needing to swap intake and exhaust manifolds and all engine sensors.

Other than those few items, just about any other pushrod 4.0 should be the exact same engine.

There were changes to the internals for 95, but they don't matter much when you get a whole engine, and as I said before the crank went from 6 to 8 bolts in 1998.

 

[toonsie]

Changing out your computer is going to cause you a world of other issues that you seem ignorant to. If you get another 4.0, of any year, you shouldn't need to change the computer though.

Any time you take an engine from a different year or vehicle plan on potentially needing to swap intake and exhaust manifolds and all engine sensors.

Other than those few items, just about any other pushrod 4.0 should be the exact same engine.

There were changes to the internals for 95, but they don't matter much when you get a whole engine, and as I said before the crank went from 6 to 8 bolts in 1998.

Thank you very much , you have been a big help, I can sleep again! Here are a couple pictures of it, got it for a good price,just to nice to not fix it. Thanks Again for your help.

 

[adsm08]

That is in good shape. Take care of that door and rocker and she'd look almost new.

 

[toonsie]

That is in good shape. Take care of that door and rocker and she'd look almost new.

Ok, just picked up a junk yard motor from a 1997 Aerostar. Motor only had 112,000 Everything looks to be the same except the cam sensor distributor pick up on the back top of motor, the new motor has three terminals and my old motor has two. Can I just change it out from my old motor? and will I have to change out the front pickup by the harmonic balancer. Also I need to know how to set timing when I change it out. Iam old school and Always had distributors to set rotor to number one on the cap when dropping in a new dist. This is all new to me.

 

[adsm08]

The cam sensor can be swapped, and is not much different that a distributor.

Take the sensor cap off and rotate the engine until the vane is centered in the window. Then line the vane up with the mark in the window of the other sensor. When you stake it in the new engine make sure that the vane is lined up still, clamp it. That should get it close enough.

I don't think you will need to do anything with the crank sensor, but if you are worried about it just change it. Its only two small bolts.

 

[toonsie]

The cam sensor can be swapped, and is not much different that a distributor.

Take the sensor cap off and rotate the engine until the vane is centered in the window. Then line the vane up with the mark in the window of the other sensor. When you stake it in the new engine make sure that the vane is lined up still, clamp it. That should get it close enough.

I don't think you will need to do anything with the crank sensor, but if you are worried about it just change it. Its only two small bolts.

Sounds simple, okay, thank you once again! Can't wait to get this thing on the road.

 

[toonsie]

Sounds simple, okay, thank you once again! Can't wait to get this thing on the road.

New problem, my 2000 Ranger cam sensor gear is completely stripped, how could it still run. Can I pull the gear off my 97 donor motor and use that one? Donor motor has three prong electrical ,old motor only has two. Anyone know the part # for that cam gear to see if it will cross with a 97 Aerostar?