• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

4.0 ohv to sohc swap with m5od-r1


Tomorrow I'm going to drive down to Salem and pick up a 4.0 sohc for $300. Comes with everything his words were "I'm literally going to unplug the firewall harness and rip it out and give you everything" (sweet!). Guy says it has 150k and mainly highway miles. He said it has valve train rattle real bad so he decided to part it out (I'm 99% sure it's the chain, which I was gonna replace anyways). Does this sound like a good deal? It's a 97 explorer. Also do I need one with a balance shaft and how do I know it has one? Mines 4x4.
 
Last edited:
Still has the oil and plugs in it and everything so I was gonna inspect the filter and plugs, he sAid it doesn't burn any oil or nothing no rod or main knocks.
 
You couldn't pay me to take a SOHC 4.0....unless it was just donating parts to an OHV like the girdled pan and flat top pistons.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
 
To each his own my man, I just want the power :D
 
I did this swap on my 95 Ex. Here's the deal:
You will have a check engine light for the missing cam sync. I have a solution, I just haven't finished it yet.
I took an OHV cam sync, took it apart, and cut it down in my lathe.
Then I took the SOHC oil pump drive, dissassbled that, and cut it down on the lathe.
I pressed the 2 housings together.
I still need to weld them together, assemble it, and install it (hope it fits).
(There are a few different cam syncs and oil pump drives over the years... You have to find the right2 to make it fit the block and work properly.)

Now, with no cam sync, it will run. BUT, you will be running batch fire, instead of SEFI. Your idle will be a little rough and you'll have a little less power.

Speaking of power... How much different do you think the sohc will be??? Don't expect too much, your running an engine on the wrong programming.

What are your plans for the 24lb injectors? Do you plan on swapping them out for 19lb to match your programming? Or find a mass air that will work with your computer and is calibrated for 24 lb injectors? Now 24lb injectors will work in place of 19lbers, but the poor atomization will cause a lose of power.

I hope you know you will have to loose the knock sensor on the SOHC... And with its higher compression, you will have to run premium fuel from now on to keep it from knocking.

There's some other stuff that I'm forgetting, but I'm going to pull that engine and trans to do timing chains and a 5spd swap. If I remember anything else, I'll add it in here.

By the time you add up all the little power loses from all the little compromises, you'll barely be making any more power then the OHV you replaced... And now you'll have those timing chains to worry about. (I don't care what anyone says, Ford never fixed the poor design, they threw band aids at it to get it through the warranty period.)
 
Last edited:
Id just buy a cheaper than dirt OHV and freshen it up with bearings, 93-94 pistons and a little head work. Have it tuned...and enjoy.
 
Id just buy a cheaper than dirt OHV and freshen it up with bearings, 93-94 pistons and a little head work. Have it tuned...and enjoy.

ive heard you say 93-94 pistons a few times, whats so much better about them?

also how much does having some headwork help? i have a spare set of heads and was looking at them, theres a bit that can be ground off.
 
Well I guess 90-94 pistons really.lol. Combined with 95+ heads will bump the comp ratio up a bit

Sent from XT907 using Crapatalk
 
95TM heads are best flowing stock, but can only be lightly polished, not enough meat to port.

Sent from XT907 using Crapatalk
 
Damn guys I'm sorry to let y'all down but I have decided to pull my tranny and swap the rms out and bolt the new manual shift transfer case along with the new tail shaft I got in. I just don't want the swap to not go as smoothly as I intend it to go (which it always does haha) and be without a vehicle going into fall. Figured I'll do it next summer so I can ride my motorcycle as a backup if need be. Plus with money I don't spend on the engine I'm gonna go buy an 82 it 250 Yamaha with and have some fun up in the woods :D.

Hopefully come July I'll have that sohc in though! Be able to roast all those 3.4 guys with the few mods I've got.
 
The pats issue is easy to get around, just need to use 01 up computer. Just make sure you get a key and pats module with it.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Ranger Adventure Video

TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Sponsors


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Sponsored Ad

Back
Top