4.0L OHV or SOHC?

[ronclark]

Does anyone know which one is more build able/stronger in the long run?
I am just wounder, i ran across in a mustang forum that the 4.0 (I am guessing SOHC) does not have the potential as the 3.8 has. i never saw why and i lost that thread.

I am on the Fence about which on i should get as a back up

 

[shane96ranger]

My vote would be OHV. They just run. The SOHC has the problematic timing chain guides that like to fall apart. The OHV is a little short when it comes to power, but I'm cool with that.

Check out '99 EB Explorer's thread on his SOHC timing chain guides:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103533&

 

[rusty70f100]

I'm not going to get into which one is better.

However, if you're going to build one up, the OHV may be a better starting place. Comp makes two cams for it, there's three piston selections (a flat top from the SOHC motor, a large and a small dish), two size combustion chambers, etc. You can get creative with the compression ratio and camshaft selection to get what you want out of it.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

If your buying a "back-up" motor I'd go with the one that is the same as you already have. It's a plug and play swap. If you like tinkering then go with the sohc.

Richard

 

[RacinNdrummin]

The tensioner problem is on the earlier engines (97-00?) and is not supposed to be a problem on the later ones. From what Ive heard and read, it has a lot to do with the oil you run and how often you change it. If you go after a SOHC, make sure it doesnt have 200k on it, that its not from a 97-00, and that it hasn't had pennzoil run through it its whole life. Look for a wrecked late model. I got my 06 engine for $500 ($800 total with the R1HD) with 20k on it out of a roll over. Your probably just as likely to crack a head in an OHV as you are to blow through timing chain guides in a SOHC. And for the price I got my engine for, youd be hard pressed to get as much bang for the buck as far as engine swaps go. In my opinion, as somebody who has done the swap (Not just talking out of my ass about tensioners and how there isnt any difference between the two engines) this is a great alternative to a 5.0 swap, especially if you wanna keep a 5-speed...

If you just wanna simply replace what you have with more of the same, than by all means, go after a OHV...

 

[billsenough]

I'm really new to this stuff. I was thinking of putting in the sohc instead of the ohv. Are there threads that tell one how to do this? I'm also going to try to start a new thread. Thanks.

 

[ronclark]

I'm really new to this stuff. I was thinking of putting in the sohc instead of the ohv. Are there threads that tell one how to do this? I'm also going to try to start a new thread. Thanks.

Not sure if anyone has a write up on a how to,but broncman has his build thread were he swapped in a SOHC in his bronco II.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35258

 

[Snoranger]

Anyone else notice that this topic has been coming up a lot more lately?

Come on guys, get with the times. Been there, done that 2 years ago. A 4BT swap is the way to go now.

 

[ronclark]

I would love a Diesel on my ranger, but the price of the motor is way out of my reach

 

[BRONCMAN]

Not sure if anyone has a write up on a how to,but broncman has his build thread were he swapped in a SOHC in his bronco II.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35258

It's not me. Racing n drumming I believe is who your thinking of. It's in the the section. It is something I am going to replace my 2.9 with eventually. To me it looks like a fairly easy swap & well worth the extra power. Not to mention the power you can get out of it with forced induction...

 

[gearhead]

i need info

Ok im in the middle of buying a 4.0 i want the sohc i found but not sure if the motor

mounts are the same as the ohv if some one have info please fill me in on it