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ohv vs. sohc


snomaker321

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
740
City
mass
Vehicle Year
2004
Transmission
Automatic
So im looking to buy a new(to me) ranger since mine died and i think i want a 4.0. How do the ohv and sohc engines compare. Basically ive heard that sohc has more hp but the the ohv is torquier, or at least makes its torque at a lower rpm. Ive also heard the early sohc had timing belt issues.

So, how reliable are these engines and what should i be looking for in one? thanks
 
i have a sohc in my exploder DD. it has 175k and is still kickin strong. as far as the timing belt, i'm having trouble with mine right now, but like i said, i have 175k and this is the first time. when i get a new car (hopefully one day) i'll most likely transplant it into my BII

knock on wood....i've never had it leave me stranded on the side of the road or any major problems with it. i've only done the usual upkeep on it(oil, plugs, wires, tranny, radiator, etc.) it's a 2000 model that my parents bought brand new in 99
 
Last edited:
I didn't know Ford put a timing BELT in the 4.0.. What happened to the chains?
Jim
 
As far as i know The SOHC is a far superior motor as far as power goes, and they are generally reliable too.
Beef
 
As far as i know The SOHC is a far superior motor as far as power goes, and they are generally reliable too.
Beef

+1 The OHV will produce slightly more torque from idle to about 1800rpm. By this, I mean less than 5lb-ft difference. Behind a clutch, it's hardly noticable. Behind a torque converter, the OHV's sub-idle torque is useless as the converter will stall around 2300-2500rpm. The SOHC will out-accelerate the OHV easily.
 
how noticeable of a difference? Will I be disappointed if I get a ohv instead of a sohc? Keep in might that this will be an upgrade from my poor-running 3.0. thanks
 
I'm looking to buy a 4.0 soch in an 03 edge with 128,000 miles on it. I hope to get 225,000+ miles out of it. is this possible without major overhaul? I'm used to my OHV, and its nothing but reliable.
 
sorry. timing chain. my bad

ChainS, there are 3 in the SOHC, 1 for each cam shaft and 1 for the balance shaft. And yes the early SOHC's did have issues with the chain guides wearing and falling apart, this was corrected in 2003 IIRC.
 
ChainS, there are 3 in the SOHC, 1 for each cam shaft and 1 for the balance shaft. And yes the early SOHC's did have issues with the chain guides wearing and falling apart, this was corrected in 2003 IIRC.

Actually if you have a balance shaft you have FOUR chains.

neither camshaft is driven directly from the crank as there is
an accessory shaft in the block in the same position as the
camshaft occupied in the OHV block

so the crank drives the accessory shaft via a chain then each camshaft is driven by it's own chain off the accessory shaft.

The balance shaft (if equipped) is driven by the fourth chain...

And this whole discussion is pedicated on the OP choosing his truck
based on what engine is in it, not choosin an engine, because the OHV
was the only choice through 2000, and the SOHC the only choice 2001-up.


AD
 
+1 The OHV will produce slightly more torque from idle to about 1800rpm. By this, I mean less than 5lb-ft difference. Behind a clutch, it's hardly noticable. Behind a torque converter, the OHV's sub-idle torque is useless as the converter will stall around 2300-2500rpm. The SOHC will out-accelerate the OHV easily.
Actually at 1800 rpm the SOHC makes more torque than the OHV. It is about as much more torque that the OHV makes over the SOHC at 1400 rpm. They are equal at 1600 rpm. By the time the OHV is at its maximum torque at around 2750 rpm the SOHC is producing around 13 lb-ft more torque and is still climbing to its maximum at 3000 rpm.

Can you tell a difference? You betcha. The OHV is still a good engine and is not a bad choice unless you want the most power in a stock Ranger engine.
 
what exactly happens when a chain or chains fail? is it an expensive fix? when does it usually happen (mileage wise)? thanks
 
The uaual problem on the early SOHC engines is that one of the cam chain tensioner/guides fails and the slack chain flails around inside the engine.

on the drivers side head it'll chew it's way to daylight through the side of the chain gallery in the side of the cylinder head before the chain actually breaks.

In the passenger side head the "slack part" of the chain is on the
"uphill" (valley) side of the chain gallery and the chain will generally
break before it makes a hole.

If the chain actually breaks the engine is dead.

the 4.0SOHC is an "interference" design.

If the crank rotates and either cam doesn't it bends & breaks things.

BTW, it's ALWAYS the cam chains or it's guides that fail.
but the problem with those was generally fixed before the
4.0OHV engine was offered in the ranger, presuming you
don't get an early production '01

And lastly to replace the shains the engine MUST come out of the chassis
The right side chain is at the back of the engine and there is NO access to
it with the engine in the vehicle OR with the trans still bolted to the engine.

AD
 
glad to hear that it was corrected prior '03 i was worried about that with my ranger when it got higher mileage, becuase ive seen so many 2000-01 explorers with the sohc 4.0 with that crazy sound coming from the engine.
 
BTW, it's ALWAYS the cam chains or it's guides that fail.
but the problem with those was generally fixed before the
4.0OHV engine was offered in the ranger, presuming you
don't get an early production '01

AD

I assume you mean SOHC here. Can anyone else confirm this? thanks
 

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