Timing gear breaking

[C.Fuller305]

I have a 1994 ford ranger with a 4.0 motor from a 1993 ford explorer. Before the motor was installed I put all new gaskets on the motor and put a timing set off of my old motor that only had roughly 13k miles and put it on the new motor. As I went to drive it for the first time it was really sluggish like i wasn’t firing on all cylinders. I pulled the front of the motor back apart and reset the timing and put new spark plugs in it. When I took it for another test drive the timing gear key way snapped on me. This is the second time I’ve had this brand break. Is there something I’m missing that is causing it or is it the brand I’m dealing with. I get all my parts from O’Reillys, and it’s always the camshaft gear that snaps. Any ideas or advice?

 

[Snoranger]

I got my ‘95 Explorer for next to nothing because that stupid little tab broke and it spun the cam gear. It’s a cheap design…. Not that this helped you solve your issue.

 

[19Walt93]

I worked at a dealer through all the years that 2.8's, 2.9's, and 4.0 ohv's were produced and never saw a cam gear break so I don't think it's a design flaw. Sounds like poor quality aftermarket parts. If you're talking about a 4.0 sohc, while it's not my favorite engine, I never saw a cam gear break on one of those either. Timing cassettes and tensioners caused plenty of noise, though.

 

[Josh B]

I worked at a dealer through all the years that 2.8's, 2.9's, and 4.0 ohv's were produced and never saw a cam gear break so I don't think it's a design flaw. Sounds like poor quality aftermarket parts. If you're talking about a 4.0 sohc, while it's not my favorite engine, I never saw a cam gear break on one of those either. Timing cassettes and tensioners caused plenty of noise, though.

Does the 93 4.0 Ranger have timing cassettes and tensioners?

 

[Snoranger]

I worked at a dealer through all the years that 2.8's, 2.9's, and 4.0 ohv's were produced and never saw a cam gear break so I don't think it's a design flaw. Sounds like poor quality aftermarket parts. If you're talking about a 4.0 sohc, while it's not my favorite engine, I never saw a cam gear break on one of those either. Timing cassettes and tensioners caused plenty of noise, though.

There’s not much to that little tab…

 

[RonD]

I would agree that this would be a "brand" issue
I don't recall reading anything about stock cam gear issues in the 4.0l OHV
Have read about woodruff keys shearing on the crank, but rare

 

[Uncle Gump]

Does the 93 4.0 Ranger have timing cassettes and tensioners?

Your 93 is an OHV...

The SOHC has tensioners and cassettes... and guides and multiple chains.

 

[C.Fuller305]

They were both OHV motors and the picture above is the exact one that breaks I’m going to try and find a motor craft brand if not I’ll find a better brand for aftermarket

 

[Josh B]

Your 93 is an OHV...

The SOHC has tensioners and cassettes... and guides and multiple chains.

Guess I really should be asking does my 96 Explorer 4.0 have the chains?

 

[Uncle Gump]

I don't think the Expo got the SOHC until 98.

But I could be wrong.

 

[Josh B]

I hope you're right Uncle, thanks!

 

[RonD]

For sure 1996 Explorer used the 4.0l OHV
1997 Explorer Model Year was when the 4.0l SOHC was a Pay Extra Option, so both OHV and SOHC 4.0ls were offered 1997-2000, in 2001 and up just the SOHC

 

[19Walt93]

Does the 93 4.0 Ranger have timing cassettes and tensioners?

No, Rube Goldberg didn't finish designing the cam drive for the SOHC until 97.I had a brain cramp.