1998 Engine replacement

[Digger_ib]

I just bought a 1998 4X4 Explorer sport with a 4.0, OHV engine. Is it possible to replace the engine with a 1995 4.0, OHV engine. The 95 is an automatic and the 98 is a manual trans. (would the crank be drilled for a pilot shaft bushing?). From what I understand, my major concern may be the fuel return. If I swap all the bolt on parts will it work?

Added info: The 98 had a completely melted? spark plug. Now it has a rough idle. I know the 95 engine runs good - a tree fell on the truck! The 95 has almost 200,000 miles, so maybe its too much work for a high mileage engine.

Thanks for any info. I would hate to do a lot of work for nothing and I'm sure someone here knows a lot more than I do.

 

[cwparts]

It should work but I'll let someone who knows for sure answer your question.

Your 95 is a OBDI/OBDII hybrid so you may need to swap over some parts from your motor to the 98, which is an OBDII.

I attempted an engine swap a few months ago which I failed. It's actually a fairly easy swap but I only had the weekend to pull two motors (parts Exp. and my Exp.)and I got stuck on a stripped manifold-exhaust bolt. I didn't have access to a cutting torch and my cut-off wheel didn't fit in the tight spaces. I ended up robbing all the good body parts and transmission off that explorer and then junked it.

 

[cwparts]

Sorry, I misread your original post.

If you swap the 95 engine(auto) into your 98 (manual), you will need to swap over the flywheel from the 98 and remove the flex plate and torque converter on your 95 engine.

I would figure out beforehand what exactly is wrong with the '98 engine. A melted spark plug is not a good sign but I would first check to make sure you have good compression. If you do and your only problem is the missing, I would try to fix that issue before attempting to do the swap.

 

[Digger_ib]

I suspect I have a fuel injector issue - but I do not know a lot about fuel injectors. My main concerns is will the crankshaft accept a pilot bushing? Can I change the bolt on items and use the 98 fuel systems? Thanks for the reply.

 

[ranger7ltr]

The crank is machined for the pilot bushing...

it is just not installed on an automatic vehicle... And the fuel system is the same between the 95 and the 98 Explorer... The returnless system did not start until MY 1999...

UPDATE:One thing I forgot is you need to check the bolt pattern of the crank...Ford went to an 8 bolt crank from a 6 bolt crank...I do not remember when that change happened...But if both have the same bolt pattern you are good to go... Just replace the flywheel bolts, loctite them and install...

 

[2000StreetRod]

8 bolt flywheel/flexplate

I believe late 97 and later 4.0L OHVs have the 8 bolt flywheel/flexplate so you would need an early flywheel.

I agree with cwparts that you should determine why the plug melted before spending the effort to install an engine with almost 200K miles. It may have been due to detonation which could have damaged the piston and valves. A compression test would provide very useful information.

 

[Digger_ib]

Thanks, that was exactly what I wanted to know. I will do a little research this week to determine the engines condition. I have it on the road now but I have only driven it about 30 miles.

I checked the new spark plug and it is not damaged, however it does look "glossy". I filled it up with premium gas and a bottle of injector cleaner, just to see if it will help. I will try to check the compression soon. With the holidays comming up, I have enough time off work to change the engines - its a lot of work - but very low cost since I have the parts anyway.

The truck has a strong clutch, but the guy I bought it from was a hard driver and it does not engage smoothly, so I think it may have burnt spots. I would replace the clutch/pressure plate/flywheel with new 95 parts if I do the swap. Thanks for the help.