Valve job needed?

*musicman76* · 04-09-2012, 09:54 AM

I had a leaking head gasket in my '96 aero so i've torn it all down to the short block. First time i've seen this engine disassembled. Anyway, I lopped all the valves since the heads were off, amazingly clean which surprised me. Then I put the heads back together and was just checking things out and noticed that the valve stems are at different heights, maybe up to 1/8 of an inch from high to low. So, my question is, do the lifters compensate for this, since there is no adjustments to the valve train, or do the valves need to be replaced, possibly the rocker assembly also? No noise came from the engine before the tear down.

**BrooklynBay** · 04-09-2012, 10:14 AM

Do you have a rebuild manual? Is this a 3.0L engine?

*musicman76* · 04-09-2012, 10:40 PM

Actually, yes, I do.. It is a 4 litre and I did not think at the time that would be important. Guess I figured the 3 and 4 were basically the same. so guess i'll go fire up the old computer and check it out. The newer computer will not let the old software load. Still, do you know if the valve height differential is a problem? Do the lifters compensate for that? I really need to get this van back together because i'm working out of a 91 mustang which realllllly does't fill the bill.

**BrooklynBay** · 04-10-2012, 10:19 AM

When you do a search, remember to use OHV along with the other keywords since there are two types of 4.0L engines. The later model Explorers have a 4.0L SOHC. The original 4.0L in your model & other RWD Fords is a 4.0L OHV.

*musicman76* · 04-10-2012, 07:01 PM

Guess I need to be an elite explorer because I fail to get an answer to my ?'s. N o problem there, I can't do it now, have to go out for supper. Get back to you later.

**BrooklynBay** · 04-10-2012, 08:49 PM

I'm trying my best to help regardless of elite or non elite status. Take a look at the photos in this thread: http://www.explorer4x4.com/lifters/lifters.htm

*musicman76* · 04-14-2012, 05:05 AM

Well,I should now be an elite. Kinda wondered what a wannabe elite was. Now I know. The link you provided was helpful. Seeing the amount of wear on the rockers and cups for the pushrods was more than I have. Believe I will be putting the heads, and lower intake, back on today. That is the new procedure for this engine. Heads first, 44lbs, intake next, then the heads down to 56lbs and then turning them an additional 85 deg more, which I found interesting. Hope all goes well and I get my aero back. Plan on yanking out the '97 guts to rebuild and put into this '96 when the time comes. My '97 did have a little valve clatter, but it also had 170k on it. The 96, 124k.

**BrooklynBay** · 04-14-2012, 10:21 PM

Thanks for becoming elite! You could document your build with photos, upload the photos to the site's photo gallery then link them into this thread.

04-09-2012, 09:54 AM	#1
musicman76 Elite Explorer houston Tx 96-97 ford aerostar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Valve job needed? I had a leaking head gasket in my '96 aero so i've torn it all down to the short block. First time i've seen this engine disassembled. Anyway, I lopped all the valves since the heads were off, amazingly clean which surprised me. Then I put the heads back together and was just checking things out and noticed that the valve stems are at different heights, maybe up to 1/8 of an inch from high to low. So, my question is, do the lifters compensate for this, since there is no adjustments to the valve train, or do the valves need to be replaced, possibly the rocker assembly also? No noise came from the engine before the tear down.

04-09-2012, 10:14 AM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,684 Vehicle Specs	Do you have a rebuild manual? Is this a 3.0L engine? __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

04-10-2012, 10:19 AM	#4
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,684 Vehicle Specs	When you do a search, remember to use OHV along with the other keywords since there are two types of 4.0L engines. The later model Explorers have a 4.0L SOHC. The original 4.0L in your model & other RWD Fords is a 4.0L OHV. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

04-10-2012, 08:49 PM	#6
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,684 Vehicle Specs	I'm trying my best to help regardless of elite or non elite status. Take a look at the photos in this thread: http://www.explorer4x4.com/lifters/lifters.htm __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

04-14-2012, 10:21 PM	#8
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,684 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for becoming elite! You could document your build with photos, upload the photos to the site's photo gallery then link them into this thread. __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

04-09-2012, 10:40 PM	#3
musicman76 Elite Explorer houston Tx 96-97 ford aerostar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Actually, yes, I do.. It is a 4 litre and I did not think at the time that would be important. Guess I figured the 3 and 4 were basically the same. so guess i'll go fire up the old computer and check it out. The newer computer will not let the old software load. Still, do you know if the valve height differential is a problem? Do the lifters compensate for that? I really need to get this van back together because i'm working out of a 91 mustang which realllllly does't fill the bill.

04-10-2012, 07:01 PM	#5
musicman76 Elite Explorer houston Tx 96-97 ford aerostar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Guess I need to be an elite explorer because I fail to get an answer to my ?'s. N o problem there, I can't do it now, have to go out for supper. Get back to you later.

04-14-2012, 05:05 AM	#7
musicman76 Elite Explorer houston Tx 96-97 ford aerostar Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Well,I should now be an elite. Kinda wondered what a wannabe elite was. Now I know. The link you provided was helpful. Seeing the amount of wear on the rockers and cups for the pushrods was more than I have. Believe I will be putting the heads, and lower intake, back on today. That is the new procedure for this engine. Heads first, 44lbs, intake next, then the heads down to 56lbs and then turning them an additional 85 deg more, which I found interesting. Hope all goes well and I get my aero back. Plan on yanking out the '97 guts to rebuild and put into this '96 when the time comes. My '97 did have a little valve clatter, but it also had 170k on it. The 96, 124k.

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