Cracked Heads, swapping out motor | Ford Explorer Forums

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Cracked Heads, swapping out motor

mzancz

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I have a 91 Explorer. Both of my heads are cracked and the truck is now in my garage in pieces. I've been calling around from part stored to junkyards for parts. New or reman heads are going from $300 to $400 a piece. And Junkyard ones are going from $150 to $200 a piece. Then you gotta buy a complee gasket set for $200. Anyway all the parts cost about $500.00 or more. So I found this one junyard with a 91 ranger with a v6 4.0 engine with like 86,000 mile on it for like $650.00. Does anybody know if this will go in correctly without any major modifaication the junyard really wasn't sure. It would actually be easier and faster to swap out the whole engine since it's all apart now. Anynbody know anything about the ranger?
 






Theres a 5.0 V8 for sale on Ebay...starting price is $500. Two words...Do It. :D
 






If you don't want to go the V8 route, you might consider getting a V6 OHV and then go for a port n' polish job on the heads. Also get an aftermarket camshaft. Then get some aftermarket headers. The idea is, if you've got a blown engine you might as well do it right. You can build a monster!
 






should fit no problems

I dont think you would have any problems with the 91 ranger engine into your explorer. Unless your going to do work on the engine a used seems to make the most sense, but beware of the lifter probs after 85-100k miles. The engine is the same from 91 -96 with few mechanical changes most notable is the camshaft positioning sensor, which can be removed or installed as needed. (The 91s dont have it so dont worry)
After 97 the crank changed to 8 bolt and the exhaust ports changed shape- BUT the bolt pqattern is the same, so the late models will bolt to early exhaust manifolds.

You can use the basic OHV engine in any year if you swap the sensors and accessories from the original.
I would look for a later model engine with less miles and retro fit the sensors to your vehicle. If you do get a later model you need the flywhell/flex plate to match(8 bolt vs 6 bolt crank)
 






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