How can I tell a DOHC from SOHC V6

[oldexp]

Hi, first time poster here with easy question. I have recently acquired repair/maintenance responsibility for a '98 XLT 4door V6. It's rapidly losing brake fluid which appears to be running down the booster. I have replaced Master Cylinders on other vehicles so no concerns there (yet).

Question: The parts suppliers ask if it's a SOHC or DOHC. How can I tell? The marking on the valve cover doesn't say. I don't see it on any of the specification stickers under the hood or in the door jambs.
adTHANKSvance

 

[vroomzoomboom]

4L OHV will say "4L EFI" on the intake.
4L SOHC will say just that on a cover overtop of the throttle body. if you dont see any on the intake tubing then its a 4L SOHC.

 

[oldexp]

Thanks! Sorry but I'm a little fuzzy on the terminology, but I think the 'intake tubing' is the ribbed tubing running across the front of the engine bay. This means the pictured cover is the 'cover overtop throttle body' and therefore a SOHC? Just want to be sure and didn't realize I could post a pic.
agTHANKSain

 

[C420sailor]

That is a 4.0 OHV.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

there was never a dohc 4.0 in these. only overhead valve and single overhead cam

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Thanks! Sorry but I'm a little fuzzy on the terminology, but I think the 'intake tubing' is the ribbed tubing running across the front of the engine bay. This means the pictured cover is the 'cover overtop throttle body' and therefore a SOHC? Just want to be sure and didn't realize I could post a pic.
agTHANKSain

View attachment 444284

that is the intake tubing. thats where i was saying if it says 4L efi, that means you have a 4L ohv. if the guy is trying to tell you its a dohc, get a different parts store.

 

[oldexp]

Thanks guys. I think I got it. The choice between OHV and SOHC seemed confusing as I am new to this series of motors. I appreciate the education.

 

[410Fortune]

Ohv = pushrod engine the cam is below the heads

You have ohv which is the good engine to have in 98

Ford made it tricky by offering two different 4.0 v6 from 97-00
2000 was the last year of the ohv, pushrod whereas the sohc engine went until 2014 I believe

 

[MakinJeepsWeep!]

Funny to think we went from 1 to 2 to 4 now days lol

 

[DintDobbs]

@oldexp Welcome to the Forum. You'll find lots of useful information here; the folks are helpful and very active.

Incidentally, now that you know which engine you have, it might be a good idea to hit up that Search Bar in the corner, read up on OHV maintenance and make sure you're in good shape! Those aren't race car engines, but they're solid motors that will last a very long time if you take half-decent care of them.

Hope you enjoy ownership and have fun with your Explorer!

 

[oldexp]

@DintDobbs Thanks. I've been doing some searching. There's some real nuggets of wisdom and experience on this site. The EXP I am working on belongs to my SO. She has owned it for many years and it's been (mostly) trouble free. I have been doing some simple maintenance on it for quite a while but now it needs some repairs. A lot of small jobs. I have a small fleet of old cars and trucks from various manufacturers. Adding this one and learning about Explorers now. Current project is fixing the brakes which failed suddenly last week. Started a new thread on that.