B4000 Engine Swap

[b4000-1994]

I recently blew the head gasket on my 1994 Mazda B4000. The engine has 310 000 on it so I figure I might as well replace the engine. I am wondering if anyone knows how many conversions I would have to do if I replaced it with a 2001 Explorer Engine.
Is it better to replace it with a similar year?
I have a couple of engine options but I want to know a little more before buying one.
Any help would be great.

Thanks

 

[adsm08]

I'd try to find something below the 1999 line, below the 96 line would be even better. A 2001 is going to be an OHC and fits differently. Anything above 96 is going to have different sensors and wiring for the OBDII system that will affect who easily it fits into your truck and preventing it from being plug and play.

On the other hand, if you want to take the time and effort to make it an OHC OBDII truck, that'd be awesome. The OHC engine has better power, better economy, and it slightly more reliable, but should the timing chains happen to go, they are a PITA to fix and time because one runs along the back of the engine, so you have to pull it to replace that, and it is horrible to try and time that bank.

 

[AgPete139]

If you do it right, you will only have to do the conversion once.

Just replace it with another 4.0 OHV V6 from another ranger or explorer.

Ford switched the 4.0L engine from an OverHead Valve to a Single OverHead Cam design in 1998 (Explorers) and 2001 (Rangers). It's easiest to just switched out motors with the same kind.

 

[AgPete139]

I'd try to find something below the 1999 line, below the 96 line would be even better. A 2001 is going to be an OHC and fits differently. Anything above 96 is going to have different sensors and wiring for the OBDII system that will affect who easily it fits into your truck and preventing it from being plug and play.

On the other hand, if you want to take the time and effort to make it an OHC OBDII truck, that'd be awesome. The OHC engine has better power, better economy, and it slightly more reliable, but should the timing chains happen to go, they are a PITA to fix and time because one runs along the back of the engine, so you have to pull it to replace that, and it is horrible to try and time that bank.

I will agree that the fitment of the 2001 SOHC will be different and more trouble since it's not a "plug-&-play."

The block itself changed after 1995, but it all wires up the same. The 2000 and older are pretty much all the same. I still strongly recommend the original OHV motor. You do not have to mess with the wiring harnesses and accessory wiring since it is all stock.


Side Information:
This topic has been covered multiple times before (which motor is better: OHV or SOHC). It is an opinion which is better. Remember that the SOHC motors make their power at mainly higher RPMs, whereas the OHV have a more constant "power" band from idle & at lower RPMs (225 ft-# torque @ 2500) which are more usable than the newer SOHC (235 ft-# at 3000). However, less emphasis should be on "peak" power numbers and more on "usuable" power. And stock for stock, the older 4.0L motors frequently get better gas mileage in the high teens and 20 mpg range. The recent motors average mid-teens.

With 33x12.50 tires on the OHV, I was still getting 21 mpg with 4.10 gears highway and 18.5 mpg in Houston. As far as reliability goes, the Cologne 4.0L OHV is one of the more reliable motors Ford has ever produced. In this respect, ADSM, I must strongly, strongly disagree.



Peter