Ford 4.0 sohc camshaft compatibility?

[Sutherbb36]

I have an 03 Ranger that I did a complete engine rebuild on. Come to find out after getting then motor back in the passenger side cam is no good.

Will a cam from a 98 explorer 4.0 sohc work?

Thanks in advance for info

 

[Sutherbb36]

More specifically, the cam specs being similar since I really only need the passenger side cam

 

[Tech By Trade]

Check Tasca and see if they have the same P/N. You also need a special valve spring compressor tool to pop the valve springs out. http://www.freedomracing.com/valve-spring-compressor-4-0l-sohc-303-581-t97t-6565-a.html

 

[Sutherbb36]

Check Tasca and see if they have the same P/N. You also need a special valve spring compressor tool to pop the valve springs out. http://www.freedomracing.com/valve-spring-compressor-4-0l-sohc-303-581-t97t-6565-a.html

Thanks. The cams were the same.

New issue...and I don't know if I need a new thread because this is still an issue with the camshaft

I have an 03 ranger I bought that had bad timing casettes and needed a rebuild. Rebuilt the whole thing with all new parts, replaced all the valves etc etc

Get everything back together and fire it up only to hear a ratting noise coming from passenger side. Runs fine for a minute. Engine then dies, won't start. Check compression. Uh uh.

pull motor back out and find cam shaft has come apart at the end? (See pic) this allowed the cam to 'walk'

Ok I thought, must have missed the cam issue on assembly. Bought a new cam, see original question above, and get it all back together and runs good for a few minutes, same noise from passenger side. Then wants to die. Pull valve cover off and cam has walked again??? Wtf is going on


(Pic of cam)

https://i.imgur.com/gfWT8mn.png

 

[Tech By Trade]

I have heard of this before. Usually happens if the gear on the back of the jack shaft is on backwards. It sticks out to far pulling the chain toward the back, and that pulls the cam apart.

 

[Sutherbb36]

I have heard of this before. Usually happens if the gear on the back of the jack shaft is on backwards. It sticks out to far pulling the chain toward the back, and that pulls the cam apart.

Yea thought of that too. Pulled the seal and the gear is facing correct direction.

 

[Tech By Trade]

If you do a hunt, another fellow ran into the same problem on here and posted a pic much like yours. I don't have a link but you may be able to track it down. I cant remember what his final solution was.

 

[Sutherbb36]

I have heard of this before. Usually happens if the gear on the back of the jack shaft is on backwards. It sticks out to far pulling the chain toward the back, and that pulls the cam apart.

dude you were right. except I thought you meant the jackshaft sprocket. After you mentioned that I pulled the jackshaft seal and saw the sprocket was facing the correct position. What actually caused it was the jackshaft spacer being on backwards.

What a disaster. Ended up pulling the motor 4 times after assembling everything. At least now I can say I can pull the motor in about 90 minutes.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Did you ever find that other thread I referenced? I think it was his sprocket that was causing the same issue, but it may have been the spacer instead. Anyways, sounds like it worked out in the end.