'94 4x4, engine replacement ideas?

[J. Anthony]

I have a '94 and she is starting to go through phases, of strange issues. Such as no power at times even when I mat the pedal. SHe blows black smoke and starts idling rough and then clears up. I have done tune-ups, SeaFoam treatment, and a few other treatments. I do find relief when I change out the plugs. So I have just been changing the plugs when she starts running rough. Does anyone have any ideas on a good engine swap? I would like to put a 4cylinder BroncoII motor in. Will the tranny mate right up onto it. I have a six in it right now. I don't mind if I lose some power on the high end, I just want to maintain low end drivability and torque. I know a four will lighten the weight.

 

[Willard]

I'm not sure a 4 banger will give the torque that 2 ton+ truck needs to move around. The V6's are by now means too much for the truck and I would strongly advise not going any smaller.

 

[J. Anthony]

I know weight is an issue. SO what I have been doing is ripping things out of it. I have torn out the carpet, back seat, anything that does not make it roll, turn or stop. I used rubber coating on any surface I can and I plan to take the doors off and make some tube framed half doors. I have seen one Explorer in College Station that had the rear roofing shaved off. Kind of like the full size Bronco's. Do you thing the weight fater that would be an issue? I want it to get me around town and through the trails.

 

[ricersrule]

I would think around town might be tolerable but for trail use it will be lacking.

 

[Fordmandan87]

v8 is the way to go 4 around town and on the trail is more better (te hehehe) better and bulletproof

 

[unclemeat]

Sounds to me like a fuel delvery issue. If the engine needed replacing it would be bad and get worse...... You need to pull the engine codes and work that angle.

 

[Willard]

yea def. try and fix that V6. no 4 banger will be give you enough torque without some serious gearing

 

[bobthekatt7]

Unclemeat has a good idea there. You might be able to save some cash on replacing the plugs all the time if you check a few other basic things. Most of the problems I've found and fixed on my X were problems I had on my Mustang (minus the 4WD issue) and even on the aircraft I work on. I recommend taking a look at your fuel filter/possibly changing it, look into your fuel pump, look into purging your fuel lines (for any undesirables that might be lurking) and even your fuel tank. Sometimes nasty things can be chillin at the bottom of your fuel tank, like sludge (due to the quality of the gasoline you're putting into your X). If that doesn't do it, you might have to dig into the engine itself.

I would also honestly avoid dropping a 4 banger in your X as well. The weight of the vehicle would make it work harder than it should, removing all the good fuel economy that 4 cyls come with. Also, if it has to work harder, you stand a chance at blowing that engine prematurely, which is definitely not the cheaper way to go. I would spend the cash to fix the 4.0 the right way instead of having to do it the hard way.

 

[JDraper]

Sounds like there's a good chance you have a bad fuel pressure regulator. Easy and cheap fix. Symptoms are crappy fuel mileage, black smoke out the back, fouled plugs, lousy idle, no power.....

Pull the vacuum line on the FPR. If there is fuel in the vacuum line, your regulator is shot.

 

[brentandlorie]

classic fuel pressure regulator problem. Your pressure regulator is bad, causing the engine to flood with gas, resulting in black smoke and rough idle you describe. Changing the plugs will only help until the fuel fouls them again. Forget the engine swap hassle, change out the pressure regulator and u should be good to go.

 

[Clarke]

classic fuel pressure regulator problem. Your pressure regulator is bad, causing the engine to flood with gas, resulting in black smoke and rough idle you describe. Changing the plugs will only help until the fuel fouls them again. Forget the engine swap hassle, change out the pressure regulator and u should be good to go.

where is this fuel pressure regulator located ?

 

[brentandlorie]

top of engine, front of fuel rail. Here is a link to a repair guide that I found very useful.

http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/0b/9a/00/0900823d800b9a00/repairInfoPages.htm.

great pictures. Hope this helps.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

just put the 4 cylinder diesel out of a bus into it. you'll be great then.