4.0 SOHC Complete Rebuild - mystery part?

[Brian Middleton]

I’m new to the forum and just from reading some old posts, this seems like an awesome treasure chest of information for folks like me who enjoy the older explorers.

I just had an engine shop completely rebuild (but not reassemble) my 1999 Explorer 4.0 SOHC engine and I’m completely stumped on 1 part that I’m starting to believe doesn’t belong to my engine. It looks like a distributor bracket to an 80s domestic vehicle, but hopefully, someone who has rebuilt the same 4.0 SOHC can say if I’m mistaken. I just don't see where it would/could go on my engine and the shop could have accidentally put it in my parts box.

 

[koda2000]

I’m new to the forum and just from reading some old posts, this seems like an awesome treasure chest of information for folks like me who enjoy the older explorers.

I just had an engine shop completely rebuild (but not reassemble) my 1999 Explorer 4.0 SOHC engine and I’m completely stumped on 1 part that I’m starting to believe doesn’t belong to my engine. It looks like a distributor bracket to an 80s domestic vehicle, but hopefully, someone who has rebuilt the same 4.0 SOHC can say if I’m mistaken. I just don't see where it would/could go on my engine and the shop could have accidentally put it in my parts box.

View attachment 156691

If it goes to your engine, ask @2000StreetRod. He'll know I'm sure.

 

[Brian Middleton]

I think I found it. It's a bracket for jack shaft that goes on the front?

 

[koda2000]

Looks like that's where it fits.

 

[boominXplorer]

Yes that is where it goes but you have it flipped around. The first pic faces out when installed.

 

[koda2000]

Yeah, I thought it looked like some sort of thrust plate, but I had no idea where it went.