4.0L SOHC Engine Swap... 97/98/99/00/01/02/03 Motor Interchange (w/ photos)
Hey all,
I have a clean '98 Explorer 4x4 w/ a 3" body lift on 30" Cross Terrains. At about 150k it started a rattle in the rear cassette. New tensioners didn't help & I opted not to pull the motor, buy the tools, and change out the timing cassettes. So we drove on... and on... and on... and I was about to tell people Ford made a diesel Explorer. Then, last week at 190k, she finally jumped time and bent the valves.
So, I need to change out the engine. I have some questions but I'll try to contribute some consolidated info first. This is what I've been able to gather from mainly searching the board...
Here are the different engines available for the years in question:
1997-2000
6-245 (4.0L), SOHC (VIN E), 4x2
6-245 (4.0L), SOHC (VIN E), 4x4
2001
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport Trac, thru 7/23/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport; thru 7/23/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport Trac, from 7/24/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport; from 7/24/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); exc. Sport and Sport Trac
2002-2003
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), (LHD), exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); 4 Dr, exc. Sport Trac
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), (LHD), exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); 2 Dr (Sport)
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), (LHD), exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); 4 Dr, Sport Trac
'97-'03 will all interchange. Some things are different in all of these years. Most are minor. Don't change out your ECU.
Hey all,
I have a clean '98 Explorer 4x4 w/ a 3" body lift on 30" Cross Terrains. At about 150k it started a rattle in the rear cassette. New tensioners didn't help & I opted not to pull the motor, buy the tools, and change out the timing cassettes. So we drove on... and on... and on... and I was about to tell people Ford made a diesel Explorer. Then, last week at 190k, she finally jumped time and bent the valves.
So, I need to change out the engine. I have some questions but I'll try to contribute some consolidated info first. This is what I've been able to gather from mainly searching the board...
Here are the different engines available for the years in question:
1997-2000
6-245 (4.0L), SOHC (VIN E), 4x2
6-245 (4.0L), SOHC (VIN E), 4x4
2001
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport Trac, thru 7/23/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport; thru 7/23/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport Trac, from 7/24/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); Sport; from 7/24/00
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), LHD, exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); exc. Sport and Sport Trac
2002-2003
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), (LHD), exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); 4 Dr, exc. Sport Trac
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), (LHD), exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); 2 Dr (Sport)
6-245 (4.0L, SOHC), (LHD), exc. flex fuel; (VIN E); 4 Dr, Sport Trac
'97-'03 will all interchange. Some things are different in all of these years. Most are minor. Don't change out your ECU.
- 1997-2000 would be the most direct swap but you'll have to deal w/ the timing chain issues all over again. With these years you need to match 2wd/4wd to your vehicle.
- 2001 you need to use your old upper intake, wiring harness, and cam sensor. Timing is still a problem w/ these engines.
- 2002-03 reuses the same parts as '01 but you'll also need to reuse your old fuel rail (including your old injectors). This makes for a little more work but it seems to be worth it b/c '02 is when Ford finally improved the timing casettes.