4.0L SOHC swap!? | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

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4.0L SOHC swap!?

F14CRAZY

To the flo...
Joined
October 31, 2002
Messages
1,442
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City, State
Dimondale, Michigan
Year, Model & Trim Level
'92 GT, '93 Limited
Howdy. Been a little while, but I'm back.

About a week ago the ohv in my '92 XL (the in/famous 4 door 4x2 sticker, aka the Explorer GT) is kinda dying. The middle spark plug of the driver's side bank (number 5?) goes bad every couple days (about 100 miles). It gets covered in oil/gas. I haven't run a compression check or anything, but I'm assuming it's from a broken piston ring or worse. Truck has 152k miles and I'm not sure of the previous owner's care. I don't think it was that great though. Fixing this is going to involve tearing the motor apart to get to whatever is actually wrong. When the plug goes bad the engine lacks a lot of power and you can hear a "putt" sound from the exhaust.

Then, of course as usual, when my mechanic will get down the problem, he'll point out that the rest of the motor is probably shot too.

So, why not F the old motor, and attempt to drop in a 4.0L SOHC? I'd get like 50 more horses out of the same block and they run smoother. I know of the chain tensioner problem but Ford got over that. I would probably get a used junkyard type one. Except for the engine harness, I don't see really any wiring to do. I can swap the engine computer and get one from an SOHC stick Explorer. I have manual windows, locks, transmission, etc so there's not much in electronics anyway.

WIll it bolt up fine to the M5OD? I know some Sports were equipped with the M5OD and the SOHC, but I'm just checking to make sure it'll bolt to MY tranny. And, will the engine bolt up? It would seem like it to me, but since I'm crossing a newer engine into a 1st gen truck I thought I should ask.

It makes sense to me. Not much effort to rig it up and a lot cheaper than a 5.0L. I'd like more power, but I'm not really doing the swap for the power or bragging rights. There's a decent 302 in the barn that I could have rebuilt, but I don't want to pay for the work, build up my own mounts, deal with the tranny bolting up, deal with carburation, etc.

Thanks guys. Has someone done this before?
 



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Thinking it is less effort and cheaper then the 5.0L is not correct.
It is in fact more likely more effort because the 5.0L has been done so many times.

The SOHC conversion is possible, but you will need the entire drivetrain, computer, etc.

There are many ways to do the SOHC into your truck, none of them really a bolt in easy deal, but yes it can and has been done
 






410: the entire drivetrain? You're a wicked smart fella, but why the entire drivetrain for a stick shift 4x2? I would need a computer though.

I remember some dude asking about just swapping the top end of an SOHC onto an OHV, but there were too many electronic/sensor differences.
 






the big difference is the lack of pushrods, the lower cam, and valvetrain and heads.
You cant just put SOHC heads and intakes on a OHV, they are alot more different then that. You wouldnt want to either.

Your 5 speed wont hold up behind a SOHC, if it will even bolt up.
this conversion is pointless unless you also upgrade the trans...

You can actually use the OHV 4.0L computer and sensors to make the SOHC run, but there is alot more to it then that.....
all SOHCs after 97 will also have the PATS in the PCM, so you better know what you are getting yourself into :)
 






So the M5ODs are different?
 












I Agree that it would be harder than it first appears. The 99 and up use returnless fuel systems, so based on the PATS issue, look at a 97. The trans is a good question, if the later models are different, get that also. You will need the under hood harness, and possibly some wiring from inside also.

I am making it as sure to work as possible, by swapping the entire chassis. Good luck to you,
Don
 






Oh snap. I guess my good idea wasn't that good. I guess I'm stuck with the pushrods for a while.
 






its probably the same amount of work to do a 5.0 swap

since you already got the engine why not just go with that?

besides, doesnt the James Duff 5.0 swap engine mounts bolt to the existing 4.0L locations?
 






F14CRAZY said:
So the M5ODs are different?


The M50D's are a bit stronger but they will still interchange, of course you'll have to leave out the top right bellhousing bolt.

The SOHC swap into a 92 is more because you won't be able to retain the use of either a heater box or a a/c box, notching it won't be enough, ask me how I know.


The OHV and SOHC share the same block configuration on the outside, yes the inside is different, so the motor mount plates will bolt to it and even the Y-pipe will bolt the SOHC manifolds, with a little manipulation of course.

Stick with the OHV, it's just alot easier.

Thanks, Doug.
 






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