4.0 motor shopping

[Verno]

After reading several stickies and dealing with the 1qt/300mi oil burn I've been dealng with I am giving thought to buying a used 4.0 motor from a j-y.

Current vehicle specs: 94 exp xlt 4.0 auto (A4ld) manual hubs 97K miles this is my daily driver.

My question is are there any restrictions on what model year motor I get for a replacement? I have a line on a salvage yard that has several motors, trannies, etc and I figured if the 4.0 is still the same motor I should get one 10 yrs younger if low miles on it.

Also, if anyone can give me a decent (honest) price range I should expect. I am thinking this might be faster/easier/cheaper in the long run than pulling the motor and doing a complte rebuild (rings, seals, valves, etc)
Thanks in advance

 

[BrooklynBay]

You have a 4.0L OHV engine. Some later models have a SOHC 4.0L, so check this out before you get one.

 

[Verno]

You have a 4.0L OHV engine. Some later models have a SOHC 4.0L, so check this out before you get one.

Thanks Brooklyn now that you mentioned it I remember from some of the posts there was a difference.

 

[35Remmy]

Wow...1 quart every 300 miles with only 94,000 miles?!!!

It must have been a HARD 94,000 miles with no oil changes!!!

There's PLENTY of people who get 250,000 miles with the 4.0.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Might be leaking valve stem seals causing the oil consumption, (or something else that's relatively simple to fix)......?

As to a replacement engine, Explorers came with the OHV engine up through the 2000 model year. And yes, the later models had several changes that increased power and durability; including stronger flexplates, better castings, etc.

 

[4x4xbrian.com]

oil using 4.0?

You have a fairly rare failure.... I have never come accross a mention of a 4.0l using that much oil. What other potenial symptoms are present? ...smoke(white or black)?...poor fuel mileage?

I don't mean to pry, but I dealt with a 2.9l in a B II that had failed a fuel pressure reg and washed the rings. it burned oil for a week after being replaced but then returned to normal with no lasting damage. the 4.0 had many weak points but not that.

to answer your question I've paid 250-600 for compairable engines with warranty.

 

[Verno]

You have a fairly rare failure.... I have never come accross a mention of a 4.0l using that much oil. What other potenial symptoms are present? ...smoke(white or black)?...poor fuel mileage?

I don't mean to pry, but I dealt with a 2.9l in a B II that had failed a fuel pressure reg and washed the rings. it burned oil for a week after being replaced but then returned to normal with no lasting damage. the 4.0 had many weak points but not that.

to answer your question I've paid 250-600 for compairable engines with warranty.

Thanks for the price range. I don't know full history since I bought this vehicle abused (ok, used) so no idea how maint went in the past. I've noticed when I get on it harder (under load) like going up steep hill or if I kick it down into "passing gear" I will see blue smoke. Exhaust pipes are black. Fuel mileage still running around 16-17 combined city/hwy. My other thread has the troubleshooting a stumbling/stalling/sputtering issue. FPR may be at fault based upon that thread too.

 

[uptownrockstar]

Might be leaking valve stem seals causing the oil consumption, (or something else that's relatively simple to fix)......?

that a good diagnostic Empty. valve stems could need a repress, valve stem seals could be worn, worn piston rings, OLD VALVE SPRINGS.

i surgest a vaccum test first in formost, then a compression test, and if need a wet test, and feul pressure test.

i'm not sure how much the engines are, but i had a cherokee a few years back that needed a engine; due to a small piece of metal falling in the cooling system during a acciedent. i would imagine around $3, 4,000