2002 4.0 in a 04

[Wills05xlt4x4]

Ok so my mom has her 04 and it sounds like she spun a bearing in the crank...its a rattle very noticable under front bumper ie internal bottom end... Gulp
My bud has a 02 that runs great were going to part out... Could I swap the older motor in?

Moms 04 has 125k but her commute is like five miles so TONS AND TONS of stop and go not to mention she is hard on it...the donor 02 has 150 but runs great and was well maintained...
Should I hunt for a lower mile motor? Bruce auto parts wanted 1750 for a 4.0 with 160k lol

 

[boominXplorer]

I bet its just the balance shaft tensioner guides making noise. To answer your question yes, the 02 motor will work in the 04 just as long as you use all the intake / injectors and so on from the 04.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

I bet its just the balance shaft tensioner guides making noise. To answer your question yes, the 02 motor will work in the 04 just as long as you use all the intake / injectors and so on from the 04.

I was first thinking timing chain since I hear its common. And that is the area.. Would it be worth fixing vs a whole swap?
What year explorer/ranger could I get a 4.0 from? Any SOHC or did they change something?

Edit- timing chian set is about $500 that's without replacing the water pump...

 

[boominXplorer]

If your on a budget I would pull the timing cover and oil pan and I bet you will find your issue. In parts your talking less than $400 for the whole job minus labor.

If you want to swap motors the ideal way to go is a 05 and newer Ranger/sport trac/mustang motor but your looking no less than a grand in just parts, no labor.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

If your on a budget I would pull the timing cover and oil pan and I bet you will find your issue. In parts your talking less than $400 for the whole job minus labor.

If you want to swap motors the ideal way to go is a 05 and newer Ranger/sport trac/mustang motor but your looking no less than a grand in just parts, no labor.

Gotcha. Labor would be me so I may pull the cover and see what's up before it blows up...
Should I replace the whole assy or just a tensioner at this point?

 

[boominXplorer]

Gotcha. Labor would be me so I may pull the cover and see what's up before it blows up...
Should I replace the whole assy or just a tensioner at this point?

If it is the primary chain tensioner making noise you can just remove the timing cover to get at it. If its the balance shaft tensioner the oil pan must come off also. You will not have to re-time anything just as long as you remove and replace the guides. I would just replace the guides and keep it moving, replacing the chain is real fun on the balance shaft.