4.0 Woes

murrayexplorer · 10-09-2008, 05:44 PM

Hello friends, I own a 1993 sport trac with somewhere in 300k+ mileage range. It has had new heads put on at about 100k. She has served me quite well but as of late I am noticing the engine is getting awfully tired and runs rough and smokes like a freight train. I have one more year of college and am praying it lasts. Some major engine work seems inevitable. Does anyone have any advice on what would be a better choice: rebuild the original 4.0 or go ahead and find a used 5.0 to put in? If the costs are comparable i assume I'd rather have the 5.0. Any thoughts?

James909 · 10-09-2008, 08:57 PM

I would either rebuild the current 4.0 or if it were me I would find a reliable junkyard and get a 4.0 with low mileage and a warranty and swap that in. Dropping a 5.0 in a first gen is not an easy or cheap task so I would say avoid this unless you really want the 5.0. With the 5.0 you would have to swap the pcm, wiring harness, trans, etc.

*Willard* · 10-09-2008, 09:01 PM

Wait- a 93 sport trac? How's that?

Unless you meant 93 sport?

About the motor, you may be able to find a decent 4.0 long block in the junkyard, which may be the cheapest option here. But the 5 liter would really make for a strong reliable drivetrain...

burtonbrd138 · 10-09-2008, 09:06 PM

i was just thinking the same thought as devilboy, A 93 SportTrac? I also agree with the idea of getting an engine from a junkyard. The cost of you switching them is either less or the same as a rebuild but the engine you put in will have considerably less than 300k miles so it will work out well for you

murrayexplorer · 10-09-2008, 09:44 PM

Ok, woops... it's a '93 sport. Well I really would like V8 power and was assuming I drop a carbureted engine so as to bypass all that electrical trouble. You know, just plain and simple, the way they used to do it. I suppose if I stayed with the 4.0 I could swap out the factory gears, I think they are 3.4? or 3.7? Oh I can't remember. I do know that when I found out what size they were I was like, dang, that's no good; those are highway gears. I'd eventually like to run 33's on it, maybe 35's. I feel that anything over 35's are just showing out and aren't really all that practical. Thanks for the feedback guys!

*Willard* · 10-09-2008, 09:54 PM

A V8 swap to an EFI explorer drivetrain isn't supposed to be all that hard. Search for the user 410Fortune and read his swap thread. He's done it in a BII and knows all about the swap. There's a couple other swaps going on right now too just watch for them.

*Blacksheep Josh* · 10-09-2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murrayexplorer

I own a 1993 sport trac

Quote:

Originally Posted by devilboy222

Wait- a 93 sport trac? How's that?

Quote:

Originally Posted by burtonbrd138

A 93 SportTrac

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...8&postcount=26

I'm sure he meant he drives this. lol. I've always wanted to do this...

MrQ · 10-10-2008, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacksheep Josh

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...8&postcount=26

I'm sure he meant he drives this. lol. I've always wanted to do this...

Now I know what mod I want to do!!

rustbucketMI · 10-10-2008, 01:09 PM

I would say it depends on what your plans are and how much work/time you want to put into this. a V8 swap is no small deal. If you just need something to last you thru may then swap in a 4.0. its a tough motor and should last a while. If you have bigger plans then go for the V8, realizing your truck will be out of commision for at least a weekend.

Or there is doing what i did . . . get a new truck, keep the X as a beater truck keeping up with as much maintance as to make it run, and wait till may, and a real job, to give it a full package.

Masterd · 10-10-2008, 03:04 PM

Id say 4.0 for the short term, since a properly built one will go for 200,000+ miles with no real worries.

10-09-2008, 05:44 PM	#1
murrayexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Murray,KY 1993 Sport Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 18 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	4.0 Woes Hello friends, I own a 1993 sport trac with somewhere in 300k+ mileage range. It has had new heads put on at about 100k. She has served me quite well but as of late I am noticing the engine is getting awfully tired and runs rough and smokes like a freight train. I have one more year of college and am praying it lasts. Some major engine work seems inevitable. Does anyone have any advice on what would be a better choice: rebuild the original 4.0 or go ahead and find a used 5.0 to put in? If the costs are comparable i assume I'd rather have the 5.0. Any thoughts?

10-09-2008, 08:57 PM	#2
James909 Wannabe Elite Explorer Long Island, NY 1994 GMC Yukon 2 Door Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 685 Vehicle Specs	I would either rebuild the current 4.0 or if it were me I would find a reliable junkyard and get a 4.0 with low mileage and a warranty and swap that in. Dropping a 5.0 in a first gen is not an easy or cheap task so I would say avoid this unless you really want the 5.0. With the 5.0 you would have to swap the pcm, wiring harness, trans, etc. __________________ -James 1992 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 - Sold 1994 GMC Yukon 2 Door 350 TBI

10-09-2008, 09:01 PM	#3
Willard Elite tree-smasher Bloomington, Indiana 04 Ranger Edge Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,291 Vehicle Specs	Wait- a 93 sport trac? How's that? Unless you meant 93 sport? About the motor, you may be able to find a decent 4.0 long block in the junkyard, which may be the cheapest option here. But the 5 liter would really make for a strong reliable drivetrain... __________________ Jesse '94 Eddie Bauer DD/Beater "Old Faithful" RIP '04 Ranger Edge DD "Black Knight" You want to see my face?

10-09-2008, 09:54 PM	#6
Willard Elite tree-smasher Bloomington, Indiana 04 Ranger Edge Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 3,291 Vehicle Specs	A V8 swap to an EFI explorer drivetrain isn't supposed to be all that hard. Search for the user 410Fortune and read his swap thread. He's done it in a BII and knows all about the swap. There's a couple other swaps going on right now too just watch for them. __________________ Jesse '94 Eddie Bauer DD/Beater "Old Faithful" RIP '04 Ranger Edge DD "Black Knight" You want to see my face?

10-10-2008, 01:09 PM	#9
rustbucketMI Wannabe Elite Explorer Michigan '94 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 150 Vehicle Specs	I would say it depends on what your plans are and how much work/time you want to put into this. a V8 swap is no small deal. If you just need something to last you thru may then swap in a 4.0. its a tough motor and should last a while. If you have bigger plans then go for the V8, realizing your truck will be out of commision for at least a weekend. Or there is doing what i did . . . get a new truck, keep the X as a beater truck keeping up with as much maintance as to make it run, and wait till may, and a real job, to give it a full package. __________________ '94 Explorer XLT - Warn Manual Hubs, Pro Comp Trail lights and agressive tires, 4.6L MAF, Spectre cone filter, flowmaster exhaust '07 F150 - MBRP Exhaust, AEM Cold Air Intake '78 Nova - LSX engine, Ford 9" rear end, Custom roll cage and suspension 2012 Mustang Boss 302 - AM

10-09-2008, 09:06 PM	#4
burtonbrd138 Wannabe Elite Explorer Massachusetts 2000 Explorer XLS Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 252 Vehicle Specs	i was just thinking the same thought as devilboy, A 93 SportTrac? I also agree with the idea of getting an engine from a junkyard. The cost of you switching them is either less or the same as a rebuild but the engine you put in will have considerably less than 300k miles so it will work out well for you

10-09-2008, 09:44 PM	#5
murrayexplorer Wannabe Elite Explorer Murray,KY 1993 Sport Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 18 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Ok, woops... it's a '93 sport. Well I really would like V8 power and was assuming I drop a carbureted engine so as to bypass all that electrical trouble. You know, just plain and simple, the way they used to do it. I suppose if I stayed with the 4.0 I could swap out the factory gears, I think they are 3.4? or 3.7? Oh I can't remember. I do know that when I found out what size they were I was like, dang, that's no good; those are highway gears. I'd eventually like to run 33's on it, maybe 35's. I feel that anything over 35's are just showing out and aren't really all that practical. Thanks for the feedback guys!

10-10-2008, 03:04 PM	#10
Masterd Wannabe Elite Explorer Upland, CA 1993 Explorer Sport Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 765 Vehicle Specs	Id say 4.0 for the short term, since a properly built one will go for 200,000+ miles with no real worries.