Can i use 99 Explorer drivetrain in my 2002 explorer

87hatchy · August 2, 2009

timing chain went in my 2002 explorer with the SOHC V6, 4 wheel drive, automatic. already pulled the engine out of it and everything.... i am able to get my hands on a wrecked 99 explorer with a good engine.

question is: will the 99 sohc v6 be a direct drop-in for my 2002 explorer? how about the ECU and wiring? transmission? from what i understand, they are the same engine.

thanks in advance guys

dennit469 · August 3, 2009

i wouldnt get another SOHC i recently had mine fixed because of the rear timing chain breaking and its a 98, i would ask and see if the other v6 would work...it was a 1300 dollars fix

CDW6212R · August 3, 2009

If your engine went completely then another engine would be cheaper to start with. If you go with a used engine that is "okay," then do all of the valvetrain upgrades, including the back. The parts are about $200, plus the special tool kit.

Use a degree wheel to find TDC, not the TDC tool in the kit. If you do that you'll see how far off the special TDC tool is.

You can use the older SOHC longblock, don't use the external parts that are different. Use any part from yours which is different, the intake etc. The cams should be the same for all trucks, only the late Mustangs may have something else. So doing that should result in a like new running engine. Only the valvetrain parts are suspect, the rest should be capable of 200k miles.

87hatchy · August 3, 2009

thanks for your help guys.

ya the timing chain and the guide completely broke and got plastic all throughout the engine so i am just trying to replace the whole thing, its all jacked up lol.

what are some of the 'valvetrain upgrades' that you mentioned? im new to the SOHC explorer engines. was always a mustang guy lol

CDW6212R · August 3, 2009

Search here for "SOHC cam tensioner cassette" and see the bigger threads about it. The basic center shaft and typical pushrod chain parts are fine, just as reliable as old Fords. The heads though both have tensioners in them, and those plastic chain guides(cam chain cassette). Those and the front tensioner should not be left longer than say 75-100k miles. Treat those like timing belts, replace them regularly. The tensioners lose their spring strength, which causes loose timing chains. Any looseness of course leads to bug troubles.

So any time you have the front or rear of the engine apart, do those if possible.

87hatchy · August 23, 2009

CDW6212R said:
Search here for "SOHC cam tensioner cassette" and see the bigger threads about it. The basic center shaft and typical pushrod chain parts are fine, just as reliable as old Fords. The heads though both have tensioners in them, and those plastic chain guides(cam chain cassette). Those and the front tensioner should not be left longer than say 75-100k miles. Treat those like timing belts, replace them regularly. The tensioners lose their spring strength, which causes loose timing chains. Any looseness of course leads to bug troubles.

So any time you have the front or rear of the engine apart, do those if possible.

thanks for the help! sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but i havent been able to get online in a while.

where can i get these replacement parts from? such as the chain guides and other things i should replace with a used engine?

CDW6212R · August 23, 2009

Try Tasca Ford, they have very good prices on OEM parts. If you can accumulate the part numbers first, that would make it easier to order them.

http://www.tascafordparts.com//index.do

87hatchy · August 23, 2009

CDW6212R said:
Try Tasca Ford, they have very good prices on OEM parts. If you can accumulate the part numbers first, that would make it easier to order them.

http://www.tascafordparts.com//index.do

i was just checkin that site...so, from what i've been reading, if i pick up this used '99 explorer engine i should replace (with parts from tasca):

1. tensioner, upper
2. tensioner, lower
3. chain guide, crank to balance shaft
4. chain guide, crank to jackshaft
5. a timing tool kit so that i can keep it in time while im replacing these parts

is this all you would suggest replacing and are these the correct parts?

Can i use 99 Explorer drivetrain in my 2002 explorer

87hatchy

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