Connecting Rod bolt Torque? - FSM shows two amounts

[Jim Jermain]

I have a '00 Explorer with the 4.0 OHV. I was consuming oil like crazy after installing new heads. I think oil consumption wasn't related to the heads but rather the original problem that caused the head replacement (leaking coolant into the # 3 cylinder). I pulled the number 3 piston and it looked like the oil rings were stuck. There are signs of oil and black carbon up the piston from the oil ring to the top. I am cleaning the piston and replacing the rings. However my FSM has two different torque specs for the rod bolts. In one spot it says 18-24 lb/ft. The other says to torque to 15 lb/ft and then another 90 degrees. I think the second is correct, the 18-24 lb/ft seems very light.

Does anyone know the correct torque for a 4.0 OHV? Also any things to look for as I am putting the engine back together? I checked the ring gap on the top compression ring and I'm on the high side, but within spec at .022 so I ordered standard rings. I am going to hone the cylinders and use a piston ring groove cleaner to get all the carbon out of the grooves.

I really appreciate any tips.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[wood1]

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4_0_Page.html


Credit to The Ranger Station's great tech library

 

[Jim Jermain]

Thanks for the quick response. Boy that surprises me that the connecting rod bolts are only 18-24 lb/ft.