Engine problems

[tpaluszak]

I have a 96 explorer with the 4.0 pushrod and I think I have a knock or maybe it could be a valve tick? Anyways I'm thinking about swapping it out with a 5.0 or rebuilding it anyways. Is there a way to definitively know if it's a knock? Also would it even be worth rebuilding it or should I just put in the 5.0 and will the manual 5 speed handle that?

 

[koda2000]

Swapping to a 5.0L V8 will require a donor vehicle. The wiring, ECU and transmission and t-case from the V6 will not work with the V8, plus there will be lots of little things required to make the 5.0L work. Even your rear diff is not set up for the 5.0L (wrong leaf springs, no 6th shock) the exhaust system is different the 5.0L Explorers, (if that's the donor vehicle you have in mind) only came with an auto trans w/AWD t-case, the V6 drive shafts may not work.

Have you ever done anything like this? It's a big job, and probably not worth the cost/effort required on an 24 y/o Explorer Sport. Not trying to discourage you, just giving you a reality check.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

click on my link in my signature for what you have to do for that swap. you would also have to have a rear drive shaft custom made as well

 

[C420sailor]

I’d figure out what’s going on in the OHV. May be something simple.

If it is shot, rebuilding/replacing is the way to go...unless this is your fun car and you really want a wild project. 5.0 swaps have been done, but it is a lot of work...wrench work and leg work. Plus, I don’t think a 302 will bolt to an M5OD without an adapter.

 

[rasouth]

I agree with the others in that swapping will be a big job with lots of little problems. These 4.0 engines are pretty reliable and fairly easy to work on. Parts are readily available. As for the knocking noise... Do you know where the noise is coming from? Can you use a stethoscope (or long screw driver held to your ear) to locate the noise. Which side? Front or back?

 

[tpaluszak]

Thanks for the input from yall it sounds like its knocking on the passenger side for sure, maybe towards the back of the engine. Theres a leak from the exhaust manifold on that side too, maybe that could be the cause of it? This is my second car so a rebuild wouldnt be the end of the world. I've never done a job that in depth before but I'm going to school next year for auto tech so I'm willing to get my hands dirty haha. Two questions now: How do I fix a manifold leak and what would I need to get for a rebuild?

 

[koda2000]

Thanks for the input from yall it sounds like its knocking on the passenger side for sure, maybe towards the back of the engine. Theres a leak from the exhaust manifold on that side too, maybe that could be the cause of it? This is my second car so a rebuild wouldnt be the end of the world. I've never done a job that in depth before but I'm going to school next year for auto tech so I'm willing to get my hands dirty haha. Two questions now: How do I fix a manifold leak and what would I need to get for a rebuild?

First thing you need to figure out is where the exhaust leak is coming from. Cracked exhaust manifold? Hole in your EGR tube? Blown exhaust manifold gasket? The repair is not that difficult, but a lot depends on how much rust you're dealing with. Even w/out a lot of rust, exhaust bolts tend to break, especially on a 24 y/o vehicle. If you start breaking bolts a few hour job can turn into a job taking multiple days to weeks.

 

[410Fortune]

Exhaust leak can sound like a knocking noise for sure
A rotating assembly knock is not something we nortmally see from a OHV 4.0, they are really tough engines. The 4.0 will usually have a lifter tick...or drink coolant, but a lower end knock is usually something really simple.

Fix the exhaust leak first and we will go from there
Other source of noise from the back of the engine can be cam sensor or transmission converter

 

[tpaluszak]

Alright well a wet shirt and full spray bottle later, the leak is from a badly installed exhaust manifold so that'll be the next thing to address after a wiper switch. I looked at some youtube videos and I dont think it's a rod knock, probably a miss or sum like that caused by the *extremely* leaky manifold

 

[410Fortune]

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!
Exhaust leak goes tick tick tick tick knock knock tick tick tick