4.0L cylinder head replacement.

[John Solo]

Hey guys! I'm new here this is my first post. I am the proud owner of a "new to me" 92 ranger 4.0L. I picked up the truck with 92k for $650! The water pump went out and it over heated, the pervious owner didn't want to deal with it. I replaced the water pump and have now found that the bank 2 cylinder head is cracked right above the cyl 6 spark plug.

I have been looking for a new head at a reasonable price. my questions are:

1. Are the heads from the 3.0 and the 4.0 inter changeable? Because Iv been seeing 3.0 heads pop up when I search the 4.0.

2. Are the bank 1 and bank 2 heads interchangeable? Because iv been having some problems finding one or the other.

3. And does anyone have a suggestion for a place to get a assembled cylinder head for less the $250?

Thanks guys I'm really excited to be a part of this group and look forward to many years and miles with my ranger.

 

[RonD]

No, 3.0l and 4.0l heads are not the same.

Yes, there is no bank 1 or bank 2 as far as the heads are concerned, they are interchangable.
Cracked heads on 4.0ls are not uncommon, it does happen on over heating, usually between the valve seats.

Your engine is a 4.0l OHV which was used in 1990-2000 Rangers and Mazda B-4000 trucks, also 1990-1995 Explorers

Check with local machine shops, they may be able to find bare head and swap your valves to it, you should also have your other head pressure tested, it would be a shame to have the start of a crack that isn't quite visible ruin a top end rebuild.
Also be sure to change the valve guide seals.

I did see some 4.0l heads on Ebay and they are MISS LABELLED as 4.0l OHV, they are 4.0l SOHC

The correct 4.0l OHV heads are going for about $200-$240 each, complete(with new valves and seals), but you do need to send back your cracked head.

Good read here on 4.0l rebuild and the different heads used: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/40rebuild.shtml

 

[John Solo]

Thanks for the answers! I was debating on pulling the other head or not but your right, just do it right the first time. my old shop foreman would alway say "you never have time to do it right, but you'll always have time to do it over." thanks again.

 

[RonD]

Good saying, that is why he was the Foreman

And just as a heads up, you can not reuse the head bolts, you have to get a new set.

They are TTY(torque to yield) bolts, this means when tighten correctly they will stretch out, this gives better holding in heating and cooling cycles, but they can only be stretched once.
If removed and then reused they may break when re-torqued/re-stretched, that's the best case scenario.
Worst case is that you get engine up and running and one or two break a few weeks later, lol.

 

[John Solo]

Hahahaha, That would not be a good day. I know all about TTY bolts. I learned that the hard way a long time ago in my teenage years of trial and error while rebuilding the engine on my 65 mustang. Thanks for the advice. Im still looking for a new head if you have any links.

 

[TxGasRacer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-FORD-RA...iter_Display:4.0L&hash=item232ca11c7f&vxp=mtr

 

[coopab]

Hey guys! I'm new here this is my first post. I am the proud owner of a "new to me" 92 ranger 4.0L. I picked up the truck with 92k for $650! The water pump went out and it over heated, the pervious owner didn't want to deal with it. I replaced the water pump and have now found that the bank 2 cylinder head is cracked right above the cyl 6 spark plug.

I have been looking for a new head at a reasonable price. my questions are:

1. Are the heads from the 3.0 and the 4.0 inter changeable? Because Iv been seeing 3.0 heads pop up when I search the 4.0.

2. Are the bank 1 and bank 2 heads interchangeable? Because iv been having some problems finding one or the other.

3. And does anyone have a suggestion for a place to get a assembled cylinder head for less the $250?

Thanks guys I'm really excited to be a part of this group and look forward to many years and miles with my ranger.

Not only are 3.0 and 4.0 not interchangeable, but not all 4.0 are equal. You need to get the correct heads for a '92 Ranger 4.0. I'm in the midst of the same job on my '99 Ranger and got two heads from "Cylinder Heads International" in Texas for about $170 each. I checked the price for the '92 heads and they were $210 apiece.
coopab

 

[John Solo]

Thanks for the link TxGasRanger! and yes Coopab $210 is the best Iv found for a new cylinder head. After doing some research and getting prices on having the other head checked and resealed the best price Iv found is $100. Thats not counting anything extra if the head needs to be redecked, witch it probable will. If I can get a new heavy duty casting, assembled for $210 its worth saving the headache to me just to replace both heads. It looks like ill probably be hitting even with BBV on the truck with all the repairs but ill get my moneys worth out of the old girl.