SOHC 4.0 thermostat housing upgrade

[morsetaper2]

My thermostat housing leak is not that big. As some days it leaks a little, other days it doesn't. But the way I understand it is only going to get worse.

 

[sgtsandman]

Simmons alum thermo hsg arrived yesterday. I need to get the tensioners, and some other parts in before I get started on all of this.

Kinda looks like w/ thermo hsg removed, as it needs replaced, the frt/driver side tensioner really isn't bad to do? Do I have that right?

It gives you a good deal more room. The intake manifold is the biggest obsticle, if you still have it on the engine when you go to install the tensioners.

 

[morsetaper2]

So reading about tensioners and ordering up parts, I see that some tensioners come w/ a white nylon rod. An "Oil Pressure Restrictor Rod".

Digging into this Cloyes video about rebuilding the entire timing & tensioning system it is mentioned and shown shortly after they install the front tensioner. FF the youtube to 10: 45 in, the rod is pulled out shortly thereafter.

Haven't heard or read any talk about this piece? What does it actually do? And can you get it out to clean it and its port with the intake manifold still in place?

 

[sgtsandman]

I do not remember anything about a rod. Cleaning out the port in the head that feeds the tensioner, yes. But nothing about a plastic rod. I'm not saying there isn't one, I just don't remember seeing one.

 

[morsetaper2]

What is the deal with the various P/N's for the front & tensioners? When I go to Ford.Parts.com and type in my vin# & model info (2011 Ranger 4.0 XLT) Ford.parts.com tells me I need tensioner P/N's starting with "6L2Z". Yet the various aftermarket tensioners at Rock Auto show only Ford P/N cross reference for Xu3Z, XU2Z, and/or 7U3Z.

The Melling rear is the only one taht cross references to a 6L2Z p/n.

So it must be that the 6L2Z is the latest Ford iteration of these tensioners?