4.0L sohc swap

[Mightyfordranger]

Looking for reading material on the subject. Used the search bar and everything no dice. Anyone know where to look? I'm trying to see how in depth it would get.

 

[DILLARD000]

See the links on this page at the bottom
for several discussions & videos of V6~4.0L~SOHC engine rebuilds\swaps.

Engine Oil Pressurized TimingTensioners

As of this 2020 writing, I'm just dumb lucky, not having had any TimingChain component failure with this 20yr old V6-4.0L~SOHC engine; only issue noticed is momentary rattling during very cold morning starts. The recent removal of the lower Oil Pan & Pump Screen was clean, without any...

2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com

 

[RonD]

It would be easier than V8 swap into a pre-1993 2.9l, same motor mount locations and trans mounts

4.0l SOHC Computer is OBD2 so you need wiring and the exhaust system with O2 sensors after cats

Single fuel line, return on fuel filter, and would need the fuel pump assembly changed or modified with FPR in the tank

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

It would be easier than V8 swap into a pre-1993 2.9l, same motor mount locations and trans mounts

4.0l SOHC Computer is OBD2 so you need wiring and the exhaust system with O2 sensors after cats

Single fuel line, return on fuel filter, and would need the fuel pump assembly changed or modified with FPR in the tank

97 explorers had return style fuel rails so you could find those in a junk yard and run them. what are you swapping it into?
*technically- you can run the sohc on a obd1 4.0 ohv computer and harness if you wanted to stick with obd1 and original gauges and dont need to worry about smog

 

[19Walt93]

The 4.0 sohc makes more power than a 2.9 but it's the most Rube Goldberg engine design I saw in 42 years at a Ford dealer. I'd sooner swap in a 4.0 ohv and lower gears. My first choice would be a 289,302, or 351 but your drivetrain wouldn't live behind it.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

The 4.0 sohc makes more power than a 2.9 but it's the most Rube Goldberg engine design I saw in 42 years at a Ford dealer. I'd sooner swap in a 4.0 ohv and lower gears. My first choice would be a 289,302, or 351 but your drivetrain wouldn't live behind it.

completely agree that the sohc is a fucking joke. but ill never drive another ohv again after swapping a sohc in

 

[Snoranger]

97 explorers had return style fuel rails so you could find those in a junk yard and run them. what are you swapping it into?
*technically- you can run the sohc on a obd1 4.0 ohv computer and harness if you wanted to stick with obd1 and original gauges and dont need to worry about smog

This. You can absolutely run a OBDII SOHC... I did it in my Explorer. The only issue is the cam sync.

 

[JOLENE_THE_RANGER]

This. You can absolutely run a OBDII SOHC... I did it in my Explorer. The only issue is the cam sync.

I think you meant OBD I and the cam sync can hardly be called an issue

 

[Snoranger]

I think you meant OBD I and the cam sync can hardly be called an issue

Yes I did... the predictive text on my phone got me.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

The 4.0 sohc makes more power than a 2.9 but it's the most Rube Goldberg engine design I saw in 42 years at a Ford dealer. I'd sooner swap in a 4.0 ohv and lower gears. My first choice would be a 289,302, or 351 but your drivetrain wouldn't live behind it.

Unfortunately I was drinking coffee when I read this...

But you don't say @RonD same motor mounts an all huh...? Hhhmmm not bad I have a whole 02 ranger with a bad frame and a good trans and transfer case. And a 4.0L with 156k on it.

I'm not afraid to pluck it out but I'm not a wiring master here. I have a voltmeter and and very basic understanding of how the stuff works. But I'd have no idea where to go after I got it physically in my B2.

Hhmm that's what I was after was swap info so I could weigh it out ya know..

 

[Mightyfordranger]

What about doing a 4.3L vortec swap. Or would that be like blasphemy?

 

[RonD]

The later 4.3L vortec got up to 200HP, so same as the 4.0l SOHC(207HP) Ranger engine, so wouldn't see a good reason to do that if you could just use the 4.0l SOHC engine

The 2014 4.3L LV3 rated 285HP and would be an improvement, and should fit, still an OHV engine not OHC
People have swapped in the Chevy LS V8s into Rangers, they are rated at 350HP so if your were going to try Chevy drivetrain I think that would be the better choice

 

[Mightyfordranger]

Well to be honest I just read through the info the first guys posted with all the links. Talking about the timing chain problems kinda don't like that. Haha not to mention I wouldn't be able to use my current 89 dash with it. While with a 4.3 I run a carb manifold with a aftermarket TBI unit and keep my tach and oil pressure etc. But I already have an 4.0L so why spend more monies ya know.

 

[adsm08]

The SOHC is wide. Very wide. Eats up part of your air box wide.

 

[Mightyfordranger]

The SOHC is wide. Very wide. Eats up part of your air box wide.

What chew mean? Like the heater box/air box. Or the actual intake box factory to the 2.9?

Also I do have 2 other engine options. Which is 302, and 1.9L alh tdi. Both of which I have reasons for and against.

Both would need rebuilt/refreshed.