Ok, small update, this one is text-only till maybe I can get some pictures :\
Well Friday I got next to nothing done due to girls and alcohol
:. I managed to button up the rest of the engine on the stand; swap out the Ranger's motor mounts with the Explorer's which are WAY different oddly enough, the OHV in the ranger's mounts sit about 3-4in closer to the front of the engine than the Explorer's. I also got the final measurements to verify that the SOHC bottom in will fit in there properly. I later found out that it will, but it is CLOSE! I had to bend the vent tube on the diff down about 1/4" and bang a SLIGHT dent in the SOHC oil pan in order for the two to clear each other by about 3/8". I hope that will be enough clearance to account for any motor mount flex that might happen when I'm going over bumps and such.
Here's a little fact, the '96 vacuum actuated (ControlTrac) front diff's vent tube is in a different location, on direct top of the pumpkin, and it will probably prevent (without modification) a SOHC bottom end from fitting in there. LUCKILY I had swapped out my diffs and I currently have a '98 AWD Mountaineer's
: I'll get a picture of the clearence, possibly today.
ANYWAYS, yesterday was a very interesting day! I woke up about 9 o'clock and was in the garage by 10. I finished up removing some of the last things like the starter and harnesses off the back of the motor. I then began by unbolting the tranny, and motor mounts. I swear I don't know how JD4242 does it in a day, but I feel extremely sorry for someone that's had to do that more than once. It definitely would NOT have been doable without a body lift. I then disconnected the flywheel from the torque converter and pulled them apart. The old dog came out quite easily, as I put her on a table to pull the last few sensors off to swap over, like the crankshaft position and one, which I don't know what is
: It connects just in front of the driver's side motor mount and threads into block? Anyways, while doing this I noticed something that could have been fatal for the new engine.
I forgot to bolt on the camshaft retaining plate. WHOOPS! I may not be correct, but I definitely think had the camshaft slipped out towards the timing cover that would have destroyed the internals of the engine. I'm pretty sure that's why I couldn't get an accurate reading on my pushrods, but Rick was able to because I had stuck the camshaft synchro which was holding the camshaft in place. So this was a MAJOR setback. Had to go rent the puller tool again, pull off the crank pulley and crack open the timing cover once more. I was able to sneak the plate behind the cam sprocket and bolt it in which saved a bunch of time. Put it all back together and on the lift it went. I spent about an hour and a half trying to wiggle the new engine into place. I managed to get the torque coveter lined up with the flywheel and the two bottom bolts into the transmission, I also got the driver's side mount on the studs but for some reason was unable to get the bolt hole ears to line up and go into the tranny. As my cousin and I were struggling to get it in, I was up under the truck unbolting the two bolts so we could try again and as SOON as I got the last bolt out the 4r55e slipped on the jack, fell about 8 inches and nailed me right in the chest. Now I'm not that big of a guy, taking a full on 4r55e to the chest hurt like a B*&@#!! I had to call it a night and go crawl in bed. This morning I now have a nasty bruise right on my sternum and am sore as crap, but I'm heading out there to try and finish this dang thing.
I forgot to mention, yesterday about lunchtime when my cousin was on his way over something bounced up under his Mustang and obliterated his fuel filter and punched through his fuel line. I had to take about 2 hours out of working on my truck to fix that so he could get to work today.
MAN this is a struggle. I'll try to get some pictures today and post a bunch of them up.
cant remember if their 14" or 12.5" wide
