4L bellhousing question

[Bracket racer]

Is there anything else that has the same bellhousing as a 4L? Did a search and can’t find anything conclusive.

 

[Dirtman]

If you mean the 4.0, then yes. The 2.9 has the same bell housing pattern. The 4.0 sohc has one more or one less bolt hole (can't remember) but it still fits.

 

[RonD]

Well the 4.0l OHV or SOHC never had a separate manual transmission Bellhousing, they were always integrated, part of the M5OD-R1 transmission case

The automatics had detachable bellhousings

As far as the bolt pattern, it used the Taunus/Cologne pattern, seen here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_bellhousing_patterns#Taunus/Cologne_pattern

Some earlier model manuals for the 2.8l and 2.9l Rangers did use detachable bellhousings

+1 to what Dirtman said, the 4.0l SOHC engine added 1 extra bolt to bellhousing but same pattern, so they are interchangeable, you don't "need" the extra bolt or bolt hole, the rest of the holes and bolts line up

 

[Bracket racer]

Cool, thanks guys. I was just wondering what other options I had if I swap out this coolant eater.
The 3.0 from a ranger won’t fit huh? Lots of them around and they seem more reliable.
Anyway, just looking at what else would bolt up to the 5spd.

 

[Dirtman]

The 4.0 OHV is one of the best engines the ranger ever got. The only thing more reliable would be the 2.3 lima but it's significantly less powerful. Swapping in anything else, especially a 3.0 would ultimately just be a step backwards and require alot more work than simply finding a matching transmission...

 

[Snoranger]

The 4.0 OHV is one of the best engines the ranger ever got. The only thing more reliable would be the 2.3 lima but it's significantly less powerful. Swapping in anything else, especially a 3.0 would ultimately just be a step backwards and require alot more work than simply finding a matching transmission...

He could put a 2.9l in it.

 

[Dirtman]

He could put a 2.9l in it.

I think he wants an engine that DOESN'T burn coolant...

 

[Bracket racer]

If that's the case then I'll probably wait until a 4.0 comes along.
Thanks guys.