4.0 vin x application

[2.3baron]

Does anyone know for sure if a 1991 4.0 vin X will swap into a 2000 4.0 vin X? Both rangers. I have a 2000 ranger that has a blown 4.0 vin X which has the plastic upper plenum, a cam sensor and crank sensor. I have a 4.0 vin X engine which is from a 1991 ranger. This engine only has an oil pump drive where the cam sensor would go. the crank sensor is different because of the different management system and the plenum is the aluminum one. I'm wondering if I can swap everything over and is it the same internally? I am assuming the fuel injectors are different and need to be swapped? Will that cam sensor drive fit in place of the oil pump drive? Will the lower intake be fine and just swap the plenum? Anybody done this before?

 

[2.3baron]

What I found so far: Injectors are definitely different, I will swap the complete intake from the 2000. Crank on the 1991 uses 6 bolts at rear, 2000 uses 8. If I leave the spacer and flex plate on the 1991 it will work, same distances, ring gear teeth, torque converter bolt pattern and center hole diameter. From looking up part numbers they both use the same cam and timing chain. Heads have a different part number and I'm hoping it's just a stronger casting with no chamber difference. Oil pan seems to be the same. Again if anyone knows of a problem why this won't work, please chime in and let me know. I'd appreciate it!

 

[RonD]

Yes, you can swap the Long Blocks.

Yes, swap over your 2000 upper and lower intake, with injectors and fuel rail
Crank sensor is the same kind, a VR sensor, but may have different plug in, you should be able to rewire older plug in to 2000 wiring
Both used Dark Blue and Grey wires, and Black(for ground), so just match them up
(2.3l engines did use different types of crank sensors, so can't just be rewired)

Yes, oil pump plug will come out and your 2000 Cam sensor will fit in its place, it needs to be timed.

Crank shaft on 1996 and older 4.0l had 6 bolt holes for flywheel/flexplate, 1997 to 2000 had 8, so you will need flywheel or flexplate from 1996 or older 4.0l
Maybe the 1991 will come with what you need.


Changes over the years to the 4.0l here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/40rebuild.shtml

 

[swynx]

i seem to remember that you can put a 2000 into a 91 but not a 91 into a 2000 simply because of the motor mounts. they kept adding holes as the years went on for the different mounts, but older blocks wont match up to the newer mounts. the castings for them should be there tho, so you should be able to drill and tap them and make it work.

 

[adsm08]

The older mounting plates will match the newer block and vise versa.

There are differences in the pistons and combustion chambers in the heads on 90-94 engines vs 95+ In 95 the combustion chamber got smaller and the piston dish got deeper. If you use a matched set it should not cause a problem. One member here who used to live near me put a set of 95MT heads on a 93 short block and ran regular 87 in it. That lasted caused a lot of problems because that combination has a higher compression ratio.

 

[RonD]

Yes, mixing piston designs and head designs could be a problem.

But long block swap, block with original heads, shouldn't run into any problems.

One thing I forgot is state laws
In some states, or areas of a state you can not swap in an older engine, an emissions issue.
Engine must be the same year or newer to be swapped, this is a legal requirement not mechnical

 

[2.3baron]

Thanks everyone. I am an ASE master tech and have tool and die experience and I mostly work on classic cars now, but was a heavy tech for years and did hundreds of engines both reman and used, so I have a good handle on most of this, but it's been a while. Since you all are messing with these more than I, I figured some of you would have answers to the internal differences. I will be using the long block and basically swapping everything over except flex plate but including the crank sensor so that everything will plug and play! Sounds like it will just have a little lower compression and maybe a slightly different burn due to combustion chamber. This is going to be a friends kids first ride so basically transportation to school and work. Should run fine on regular gas. Thanks again and this is a great forum! I still play around with "lima" motors and know those pretty well!

 

[cp2295]

From what i remember the late model 4.0s have all of the holes for the various motor mounts throughout the years, but the 91 will not have the holes to fit in your 2000

Also if you put your heads on that block you will have lower compression, 8:1 or something.. So unless youre gonna boost it id recommend against that haha


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