Engine swap time

[A320PYLT]

Hey everyone,

I am new to the explorer forum so please forgive me if this has been asked to death. I have a 03 explorer had it since new and its been babied but it is my DD. I changed my oil today and fired her up and she sounds like a damn diesel. It will run for a bit then cut off. I have only started it again to place it in the garage in get ready for what I think is an engine swap coming Now If this were my mustang GT that I converted to Cobra I wouldnt need to even ask what I am sure is a silly question.

Here goes and no laughter please I have the flex fuel engine on this with 8th digit VIN K but they are very hard to find. What I am wondering is can I swap it out with an 8th digit VIN E flex fuel or no? The E's are in much more supply. I have even found a low mileage Vin E that came off a 4WD and that should be a direct swap even though I have a 4x2. What a mess. I would just hate to have to get rid of my truck.

Thanks in advance

A320pylt

 

[tower]

Yes you can put an E in your K infact almost any 4.0 will do. I would (and did when I did mine) swap the fuel related things over to the "new" motor.

 

[A320PYLT]

Yes you can put an E in your K infact almost any 4.0 will do. I would (and did when I did mine) swap the fuel related things over to the "new" motor.

When you say fuel related things are you refering to the fuel rail? How about that 4x4 motor on my 4x2 tranny, any issues I need to worry about there??

Thanks

A320pylt

 

[Triton8273]

When you say fuel related things are you refering to the fuel rail? How about that 4x4 motor on my 4x2 tranny, any issues I need to worry about there??

Thanks

A320pylt

Whats a 4x4 motor?

 

[crazymind]

The only difference between a truck that's a 4x4 and a 4x2 is the output one the tranny to mate up to the t case and front drive line there is no difference in the engine.

 

[A320PYLT]

Whats a 4x4 motor?

Good point!! Thats a tranny function. I have been so tired in mind and body having to deal with this situation and its impending cost. Then the fuel pump went out on my cobra and that was a couple hour fix and $220 on parts. Seeing double and asking dumb questions.

A320pylt

 

[snoranger]

Whats a 4x4 motor?

You asked....

The only difference between a truck that's a 4x4 and a 4x2 is the output one the tranny to mate up to the t case and front drive line there is no difference in the engine.

Usually I would say you're right, BUT.....

The 4x4 version of the 4.0l uses a balance shaft that the 2wd version doesnt have. So yes, in this case there is a 4x4 and 2wd specific version. People on here have swapped between 2wd and 4wd motors without an problems.

 

[crazymind]

I thought when they went to the third Gen x they also re. Did the engine as well and put the balance shaft motors in the 2 wheel drive as well, and leaving the second and first gens with the two different engines.

 

[A320PYLT]

You asked....



Usually I would say you're right, BUT.....

The 4x4 version of the 4.0l uses a balance shaft that the 2wd version doesnt have. So yes, in this case there is a 4x4 and 2wd specific version. People on here have swapped between 2wd and 4wd motors without an problems.

See its little things like that which can mess up your entire project. I was also floored to learn that the sport trac 4.0 and the 4door 4.0 have some difference apparently where swapping them MAY present challenges.

I have found and would like to put 2007 engine in my 03 but so worried that the motor mounts and other things are going to creep up and ruin the deal. I can pull the injectors out of my 03 and the fuel rail make it a flex. The fuel pump is already there in my tank for that so that would be one less thing. If it just wiring that is easy and I can do that. I had to rewire my GT to convert it Cobra and that was not as bad as I was led to believe.

A320PYLT

 

[snoranger]

See its little things like that which can mess up your entire project. I was also floored to learn that the sport trac 4.0 and the 4door 4.0 have some difference apparently where swapping them MAY present challenges.

I have found and would like to put 2007 engine in my 03 but so worried that the motor mounts and other things are going to creep up and ruin the deal. I can pull the injectors out of my 03 and the fuel rail make it a flex. The fuel pump is already there in my tank for that so that would be one less thing. If it just wiring that is easy and I can do that. I had to rewire my GT to convert it Cobra and that was not as bad as I was led to believe.

A320PYLT

Dont sweat it. You can swap ANY 4.0 SOHC in place of your SOHC. There may be a few differences in the intake, exhaust manifolds, sensors, etc... Just use the correct parts of your current engine.

 

[snoranger]

I thought when they went to the third Gen x they also re. Did the engine as well and put the balance shaft motors in the 2 wheel drive as well, and leaving the second and first gens with the two different engines.

You may be right... I have only pulled engines out of a few genIII 4x4s, never a 2wd.

I have read that Ranger SOHCs dont have a balance shafts, regardless of 2 or 4wd. I cant confirm or deny this.

 

[A320PYLT]

Dont sweat it. You can swap ANY 4.0 SOHC in place of your SOHC. There may be a few differences in the intake, exhaust manifolds, sensors, etc... Just use the correct parts of your current engine.

Sometimes you have to really watch ford!! I was going to drop a going to drop a 5.4l DOHC supercharged Shelby motor in my mustang and found out that the motor mounts were way different! Then you look at the 5.4 L Navigator motor and that has the same mounts as my 4.6 cobra motor.

I would feel so much better If I could see an 07 motor out of the truck. I can pull the stuff off my 03 just like you said and make that work. I would hate like hell to buy that block only to find out that the mounts dont match.

I believe you though in what you say 4.0l should be 4.0l I have just seen ford play funny games like that.

A320PYLT

 

[tower]

Ford and well any company may have changes model to model, year to year but in the case of the 4.0 SOHC you are good. If you do a search you will find people that put mustang 4.0 in with no problems. You will need to move some parts over. On mine I put an 05 in my 02, I changed over intake fuel rails and injectors, A/C compressor (was new), alternator (almost new) no problems after 120k or so.

 

[A320PYLT]

Ford and well any company may have changes model to model, year to year but in the case of the 4.0 SOHC you are good. If you do a search you will find people that put mustang 4.0 in with no problems. You will need to move some parts over. On mine I put an 05 in my 02, I changed over intake fuel rails and injectors, A/C compressor (was new), alternator (almost new) no problems after 120k or so.

Thanks. Did you have to move those items ( a/c compressor and alternator) because they are in different places on the motor or was it because they would not work with your current set up??

A320PYLT

 

[vipersinu2]

dont open ac or ps just swing them out of the way, the biggest pain is removing just the radiator and leaving the condensor in truck.

 

[A320PYLT]

dont open ac or ps just swing them out of the way, the biggest pain is removing just the radiator and leaving the condensor in truck.

I see what you talking about and I thought it would be much better to have the new stuff as opposed to my stuff that has 200k on them. Yeah I hate the thought of removing the radiator but if you just bump it with that engine during the pull out its ruined.

A320pylt

 

[tower]

I moved the a/c compressor and alternator because they where newish.

I did not remove the radiator, just removing the fan gave me the room I needed and it was a lot easier.

 

[A320PYLT]

I moved the a/c compressor and alternator because they where newish.

I did not remove the radiator, just removing the fan gave me the room I needed and it was a lot easier.

There is a ton of room in there and I would have yanked today if it wasn't 105 degrees in the shade here again today. I managed to pull my hood off and disconnect a few things before I got hot as hell

A320pylt

 

[vipersinu2]

if your going to leave radiator in truck i would get 1/8 plywood and rest in front of radiator.

 

[A320PYLT]

if your going to leave radiator in truck i would get 1/8 plywood and rest in front of radiator.

Good point but I am going to remove it.

A320pylt