Why is there a distributor spot on the 4.0L engine!?

[abrush]

My current 1994 4.0L V6 has spun a bearing and so I bought a replacement engine from a salvage yard. However when I was comparing the two engines everything looks the same but on the salvage yard engine I noticed there is a open hole right behind the intake that appears is for a distributor. I tried to look at my engine in my vehicle but it is very hard to see back there and I do not feel anything like the distributor hole. What is supossed to cover this hole or go in there??? Obviously the salvage yard took whatever was there out. The engine they sold me supossebly came out of a 1994 Explorer which is the same year as my engine that I am running in my 88 Bronco II. Please advice.

 

[feellnfroggy]

A distributor wouldnt be mounted behind the intake, it would be mounted up front. There are water passages and such that can possibly account for this. Its just my guess though, I could be wrong.

 

[Jspafford]

I've never seen a distributor on the front of an engine. They are usually on the back (by the tranny) about in the center.

 

[98 ranger xlt]

Camshaft Synchronizer.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

yup cam sensor

 

[Beef52751]

then apparentley youve never seen a big block ford

Or a small block ford. I would have to agree with Cam Position sensor.

 

[Toms01PSD]

Camshaft Synchronizer.

This is EXACTLY what it is. It basically replaces what would be the distributor.

 

[Jspafford]

Apparently NEITHER of those engines would be in the truck he is describing...so the point is moot.

 

[SMTGREG]

The hole is for the oil pump drive assembly. On the California only engines it had a cam position sensor on top of it.

 

[Toms01PSD]

The hole is for the oil pump drive assembly. On the California only engines it had a cam position sensor on top of it.

Uh, then why do both my 99 3.0 and 98 4.0 have cam position sensors on top of the camshaft synchronizer?Ones an NC truck and the is from PA...

 

[AllanD]

Uh, then why do both my 99 3.0 and 98 4.0 have cam position sensors on top of the camshaft synchronizer?Ones an NC truck and the is from PA...

You are confused indeed because a "Camshaft synchronizer" and a "cam position sensor" are the same damned thing.

and in NEITHER case of the trucks you have are a 1993 or 1994.

IF you don't understand the topic stay out of it.

OR ask questions and learn instead of making statments and looking like...
(Do I really need to say it?)

UNTIL 1994 the 4.0 was "batch fire" 1994-up is SEFI, the cam
position sensor/synchronizer is only required (as a other than
an ornament) on SEFI engines.

HOWEVER since the sensor is either part of or mounted on top of
the OIL PUMP drive you need SOMETHING in that hole to drive the
oil pump or the "new" engine won't live very long.

AD

 

[Toms01PSD]

You are confused indeed because a "Camshaft synchronizer" and a "cam position sensor" are the same damned thing.

and in NEITHER case of the trucks you have are a 1993 or 1994.

IF you don't understand the topic stay out of it.

OR ask questions and learn instead of making statments and looking like...
(Do I really need to say it?)

UNTIL 1994 the 4.0 was "batch fire" 1994-up is SEFI, the cam
position sensor/synchronizer is only required (as a other than
an ornament) on SEFI engines.

HOWEVER since the sensor is either part of or mounted on top of
the OIL PUMP drive you need SOMETHING in that hole to drive the
oil pump or the "new" engine won't live very long.

AD

I understand that it basically drives the oil pump. What I was refering to is the "California only" comment. How does it only apply to Cali only vehicles if you need the cam sensor on there? I didn't understand that.

 

[litlred]

is it possible to put a distributor on a 4.0 where the cam sensor is? this has probably been asked before, so a link would be great.. thanks

 

[AllanD]

I understand that it basically drives the oil pump. What I was refering to is the "California only" comment. How does it only apply to Cali only vehicles if you need the cam sensor on there? I didn't understand that.

Because on the 1990-1993 4.0's there is no cam sensor.

You are Assuming that all 4.0's have a cam position sensor camshaft synchronizers.

Granted the later engines integrated that sensor onto the oil pump drive, but that is not necissarily the case....

It's simply a gear drive for the oil pump, there is no sensor.

HIS need for a cam position sensor is not yet established, because
The sensor only applies to SEFI 4.0's which were introduced
mid-93 (on Explorers, RARELY on 1993 Rangers) in California
1994 on Explorers, and mid-1994 on rangers everywhere else

SO HIS original 1994 Engine could have come from a Non-SEFI4.0

He hasn't said so or not yet.

"Don't Know" means "don't Know"

I DO KNOW that he needs to drive the oil pump and plug the hole....
and a Non Sensor 1990-93 oil pump drive willdo that even without the sensor (or provisions therefore)


MY 1993 Explorer engine has no cam sensor.
Nor does my 1994 "spare" engine which came from a Ranger.

The OP may or may not "need" such a sensor, depending on the exact management system he is using (like I said MOST 1994 Ranger 4.0's aren't SEFI) and if he does need it presumeably he can rob it of off the "Dead" engine.

I personally chose my 1993 Explorer 4.0 engine donor with carefully considered intent.... 1993 was the first year for "Active data link"
But didn't have SEFI (with it's troublesome sensor) or EGR (with it's troublesome sensor)

I routinely advise people to AVOID the 1994 engines with SEFI
for swaps to earlier vehicles, because ALL SEFI4.0's have EGR
and the sensors DO fail.

AD

 

[Toms01PSD]

I think I got that but i'm going to read it a few more times. Basically what your saying is that even though both engines in question are 4.0's they may differ because one is Non-SEFI and one is SEFI?