Explorer Heart Transplant

[EXPLORINAZ]

Anyone know of a place in Arizona that rebuilds 4.0 for around $1000.00? i found one in tucson but they want $1350 plus core150-400 and tax. im on a limited budget and i was almost ready to convert my X into a 4X4 when all of a sudden my engine blew a head gasket. I was trying to get my X ready for the Truckin Nationals comp now i dont think im going to make it. Hopefully i can find my way to truck haven in January i hope christmas will be good to me. Oh and anyone have a weekend free to help me with the transplant? I live on Ft Huachuca. I dont have alot of money but always have beer and plenty food

Thanks
And God Bless

 

[mrboyle]

Considering jobber (the price engine builders pay) price on a master rebulid kit for a 4.0L is just under $500 (not including lifters), $1350 is actually cheep for a rebuilt engine. Last time I added it up, it would cost me almost $900 just for parts, add another $150 for machine work on the block, $100 for a valve job, that only leaves $200 to cover the labor to assemble the engine.

 

[explorerjoe]

Beer, I'll give ya hand. This will be my first Explorer, but I've done my share of Fords. I'm also not too bad inside the engine. Also, If you just blew a head gasket you have some other options. Just let me know were you are in relation to Phoenix.

 

[JGAMBLE]

$1350 cheap for a rebuild? Hell I totally rebuild a 302 for less than that. Pull that head off and check the block for warpage. If it's not warped get new head gaskets and good to go. If it is warped, pull it and have it decked. It's not too expensive and will increase your compression at the same time. If nothing else you can always pick one outta the junkyard on the cheap. Ft. Huachuca eh? Thinking about re-enlisting for there. Be at least another year though, don't think I'll be able to make it out to help ya.

 

[EXPLORINAZ]

Hey explorerjoe i live like 3 hours from pheonix south on I-10 exit 302 let me know

 

[mrboyle]

Originally posted by JGAMBLE
$1350 cheap for a rebuild? Hell I totally rebuild a 302 for less than that.

You ar correct, you can build a 302 for less than $1350, and you can also build a small block Chevy for almost half of what the 302 costs. Its called supply and demand. The 302 has been available since the late '60's and there are billions of theme out there. The 4.0L is barely 10 years old, and you have to figure only 1/3 of those produced are/or have been rebuilt. Add to that the fact that the 4.0L uses roller lifters ($$$) and has gone through several design alterations and you start to see why the price is so high. Like I said in my first post, MY cost (remember as a mechanic I get parts cheaper than the average consumer) for a master rebuild kit, lifters, new valve guides and rebuilt rocker rails is almost $900. Even if I built the motor myself, I'm still looking at $1100. To put that into prespective, I built a 302 for a friend for $400.

 

[EXPLORINAZ]

Thanks MRboyle i had the cylinder heads taken off and the bottem end seems to be in good shape so i decided to just get the heads redone all in all it will cost about 800.00 405 for labor 300 for exchange of both heads, new head bolts(the mechanic told me that they are stretch torqued and shouldnt be reused. is that true?) and a head gasket kit. i should be up and running again by the 13th of sept now i have to save up again to finish my solid axle swap,Thanks to everyone for the helpful information.