cylinder heads

[apicone]

I recently had a head gasket blow on my 91 4.0L explorer, so I pulled the cylinder head, and purchase one used from "Reliable Auto Parts" in Tukwila, WA. The head looked good, and the same so I took it to napa and had it jet cleaned tested, plus some minor repair for $100. When I put the new head on it didn't quite mate up with the block, I was quite puzzled. I took a closer look and noticed the intake ports on the head were about a centimeter smaller than on the original heads. I called the guy and he said that he would get me another one, but that it happens all the time because they make two heads for the (91') ford explorer. I called Fitz wrecking yard, and the Ford dealer and they assured me that this is NOT the case. I called him back and told him I wanted the money I spent fixing the head that obviously isn't made for my vehicle. He totally denies the statement from Ford or Fitz to be true, and claims there are two heads...Is he lying or what?

 

[Alec]

Actually, I think there are 3 different head designs for the OHV. However, only one came on the 91-94 as far as I know.

 

[Doug904]

Thats right they did make 3 different castings but they all three have the same sized intake ports. Sounds like they gave you a 2.9 head or something but it can't be right. Definatly follow up on it, the head job on a 4.0 is costly and you don't wanna have to do it twice.

later Doug904.

 

[Maniak]

This page has some good info on the 4.0l.. Including what changed on what years etc..

Dead Link Removed

 

[apicone]

Thanks for all the help

I can work on cars no problem, but I am not familiar with all the casting numbers and such. So I did my homework, with the info from you guys and saw that the head they gave me has the casting numbers 86TM. Google search came up 2.9 L Broncos. I called the guy on his mistake and he blames me for not checking the head out...*******. Really quality control at this place, I may have been ignorant about castings and not noticing the slight (and I mean slight) differences in the head, but the shop shouldn't be. I learned a $100 lesson and I tell everyone I know to avoid that shop.

 

[Doug904]

Man, now thats not right. Are you saying he made you pay for the heads and won't give you the right ones? Thats just wrong!! It his dumb mistake if he sells these everyday and can't tell one from another. The 4.0 heads come in 90TM,93TM,95TM,97TM, and 98TM look for these markings between two of the exhaust ports toward the middle of the head. If you have an early style, 90-94 then you need either 90TM or 93TM's.

Later Doug904.

 

[apicone]

$100

Actually he is going to swap out for the right head...I just ate the 100 to clean up the head and have it tested....I was trying to save some money beacase I'm really (really!) short on cash. Next time I'll plunk down the money straight up, cause when this whole affair is all said and done it will be the same price as if I had just gone the expensive route. I printed off the head casting numbers for various explorer years and will give it to him when I get the head, that way no one else gets screwed. He'll probably charge someone else more money for the 2.9L bronco head since I already cleaned it up and had it fixed. I was thinking about making a website for his shop for free...but for some reason I don't he'll enjoy the press.