4.0 SOHC removal

[85_Ranger4x4]

Never used that style. I have a valve spring compressor that hooks onto the spring and compresses it. It works, but I think one of these days I’d like a bench mounted one to use if I have the heads off

I suspect it is something goofy for mod motors since that is all that is listed for applications.

 

[JJMaine]

This looks just like the one Fordtechmakeuloco uses in his timing video only he has the OTC version which is $200.

I don't think you'll need that unless you plan to pull the heads apart...

I didn't think so either Uncle Gump except in the timing video he takes his camshaft out and he wasn't even removing the heads. I'll have to go back and watch them again to see why exactly he wanted the roller followers and camshafts out....

Will I be able to just take the camshaft gears off and remove the heads completely without taking the camshafts out?

I was thinking if the heads weren't flat then I'd find a good machine shop to give them the full monty so I know they are top top shape. Hopefully they are fine since I never overheated the engine....

 

[JJMaine]

In the words of Wrecker Rick, "Stand by folks, it's about to get western"

 

[Uncle Gump]

You might have to take the front tires off and lower the truck down to get the engine over the core support.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You will also have to support the front of the transmission. It will want to drop when you separate the engine from it.

Floor jack and block of wood lightly under the bell housing... maybe a ratchet strap across the frame rails... something to catch it.

 

[JJMaine]

Got her out. Uncle Gump, I cheated and returned the 1 ton hoist and got the 2 ton. It was worth it I think because it lifted plenty high enough.

My buddies on the way with one of those heavy duty 4 wheeled carts. I'm going to set it in that and wheel it in the shop and then pick it back up to put it on the stand.

 

[JJMaine]

Touchdown. What a relief. Now I can take my time and fix my motor. Honestly I might take all winter at this point haha. But at least I'll be indoors in a heated room working on it now.

I have a jack as well as a jackstand under the front of my transmission so it can't drop. Do you guys think it'll be fine just sitting there indefinitely? I'm thinking wrap the front with a trash bag as best I can?

 

[Uncle Gump]

As long as the torque converter is pushed back you should be ok. Taping a garbage bag over the bell housing couldn't hurt.

You may need the jack and/or jack stands before you get it back together... a rachet strap across the frame rails will keep it in place.

 

[JJMaine]

Awesome thanks!

 

[JJMaine]

You know, I can't believe someone can get the engine out, fixed with new head gaskets etc. and back in all buttoned up in 12 hours?!? Is that really possible? Obviously I'm a complete noob and it took my basically 5 days just to get it out but 12 hours for the whole thing? No wonder every time you take your car to a dealership to get "fixed" it comes back with more problems haha. Especially if the techs are flat rate, I can't blame them for missing a thing or two.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Reputation...

Fully equipped shop...

I remember warranty paying 8.5 hours to do a head gasket on a 4 banger. I could have the head off and start clean up in about 20 minutes. I could do 3 a day.

 

[JJMaine]

I heard that most manufacturers only pay 1/2 for warranty work these days. So a 12 hour job would only pay 6 hours. If that's true then you know it won't be the 30 year master tech fixing your car, they're going to make the new guy do it and he's going to be in a hurry. It might not be the case just something I heard. Just seems like a lot of work to do in a day and a half even for a skilled mechanic, not that they couldn't get it done I'm sure.

 

[Uncle Gump]

It's true... out of warranty customer pay stuff pays better. Half?? Not sure. I also think the "we don't really want to do it" price figures into the equation at some point.

I did it while young... the older I got i knew it wasn't for me long term. Got a chance to jump to the engineering side of things and it took all the hustle to make a decent payday out of being a mechanic.

 

[JJMaine]

That's not right if you ask me. A manufacturer paying a mechanic less to fix a problem on a car that they built. Yes I think that's what I got from the dealership, the "we don't want to do it price"

 

[Shran]

Most shops use AllData or similar software for manuals and labor estimates. They provide book times for common repairs and most shops figure that's close enough. It's easy to get really good at a specific task and get it done way under book time but then if you start estimating accordingly and one comes in that fights you every step of the way, you end up not getting paid or making the customer mad.

Clutch jobs on our trucks for example.... usually those are about $1000, figure about $6-700 of that is labor. I can knock one out on a 4x4 rig in 2-3 hours assuming the exhaust comes apart. 2wd or 4 cylinder takes even less time. If I quoted someone that though I guarantee I would break off every exhaust bolt and have 5 additional hours of drilling & tapping... it is a tricky balance between making the job seem affordable but not over quoting.