ford 4.0 ohv vs sohc

[gearhead]

Well im gunna do a swap on my 1989 ford ranger that has the crappy 2.9 and i want to know the differance between the sohc and the ohv i know the hp rating is differant but i would like to know anythink about the width length and how tall it is and even if the motor mounts are the same

 

[97RangerXLT]

An early 90's 4.0 would be your best bet. This is the OHV engine, and it will bolt right up to your existing transmission, and very little wiring changes would be needed. the SOHC 4.0 is in later trucks (2000 and up) and would need to have the ecm changed out plus a lot of wiring changes in the dash to accommodate the new engine/ ecm.

There should be some good resources in the tech library for this swap, I believe that many on here have done it.

AJ

 

[csampson311]

Also I see tons of the ohv 4.0 like mine in the junk yards. I know because its often easy to grab me some parts.
When I do see a newer ranger it's usually stripped in the matter of hours.


Sent while not paying attention in class.

 

[Will]

I haven't done the swap, but I have pulled and installed both motors. The SOHC 4.0 is huge and harder to work on. Both engines drive about the same below 3,000rpm so I would pick the pushrod motor for the swap.

 

[gw33gp]

As much as I like the 4.0 SOHC, I would have to say the OHV would be better for your application. BTW, 2000 Ranger still had the OHV. SOHC did not come in a Ranger until 2001.

 

[kevinsranger]

ohv all the way!!! i have 350,000 on mine and not even a hint of a noise out of it and runs smooth as can be!

in my explorer i have the sohc with the dreaded rattling timing chain's with 260,000

 

[cody93]

overhead cams belong in inline engines, OHV will be much easier due to it not being as wide or eletrical differences or the fact that a timing chain will break eventually...

 

[adsm08]

To make the SOHC actually fit into your engine bay you either need to chop up your engine cross member, drop it down, and weld it all back up OR get a 3 inch body lift and mod the engine mounts. Plus all the wiring.

A 4.0 will drop in, bolt up, plug in, and run with minimal fuss.

 

[racsan]

id go with the ohv over the ohc for many reasons. the only thing i feel is better about the ohc version is that for some reason they do a little better on fuel, but that doesnt outweigh all the disadvantages. a 4.0 ohv will pretty much be a r&r job. from what ive read the ohv makes its power at a lower rpm than the ohc, sure the ohc makes more total power, but its at a higher rpm. im not a big fan of all the plastic on the newer engines either, plastic intake manifold, thermostat housing, ect. over time it will crack & fail. just alot more headaches that can all be avoided with a good 'ol ohv 4.0

 

[Will]

The SOHC motor makes better power everywhere. There is a really thin bit right off idle where the pushrod motor looks better, but between the two the difference really isn't anything until after 3,000. That's not a part of the tachometer I use, so the compact size of the pushrod motor makes it an easy choice for me. For raw power, those cammer heads look awesome. I would guess they could be capable of 250hp. It's a really straight shot in and out.

Later pushrod motors have plastic intakes. That's not a consideration.

 

[84bluebronco2]

I'm 150k on my 94 4.0 OHV, and I've put many miles on my buddy's 04 4.0 OHC... The only difference I really notice if you're not getting wayyy to far into the skinny pedal would be that he has 4.10's and I have 3.27's... OHV for simplicity and ease of install all the way!