question on all 3rd gens... are they all SOHC engines?

[Curtis]

My Father and I have always been Explorer lovers since the beginning when he got a 1991 XLT.
And after I purchased a couple of my own and reading posts on the board Ive mentioned to dad about the SOHC engines how they are interference engines.

He does not like this idea at all and is in the market for another 3rd gen, likely 07 or newer and wants one thats not SOHC.

So the question...
Are all 3rd gens SOHC? I cant find a definitive answer from my research.
I know the 2nd gens could be had with or without.

 

[EasyRhino]

Not all SOHC engines are interference engines, I just don't know about the entire Ford line. Fact is, Im not even sure if my 4.6L in the 2002 Ex is interference or not.

I am only aware (others may come along to correct any misinformation that I might post here) that the 4.6L modular V8 and the 4.0 V6 engines were available on Gen 3's, both of which are SOHCs.

Unlike many OHC engines, these are chain driven (well, at least the 4.6 V8 is for sure) so imminent failure as it relates to an interference engine is somewhat less of a problem than for an under-maintained interference engine with rubber cam timing belts.

Note that in-block cam (not OHC) engine can also be an interference engine; however, since most, if not all, in block cam (or 'pushrod) engines are not generally classified as 'interference' or not. I suspect that my 400HP LS2 engine has to be an interference engine, given the high compression ratio, but I'm not even sure of that.

Short answer - it may not matter, although I seem to have read that more than a few have had cam chain failures on the 4.0s and a few have had cam follower failures on some of the early 4.6s.

That said, I had a Gen 2 ('97) that I should have never traded, and my father had a Gen 1 ('93 or 94) that he should ahve kept, as the Gen 3's are frequently viewed as the 'dogs' of the Explorer history/line.

If shopping for a Gen 3, I strongly recommend that one be far, far more concerned about the well-known (and very expensive) tranny failure issues known to be epidemic in these, particularly since many Gen 3's are starting to get longer in the tooth by now. The only redeeming thing is that they have poor resale value, so one can pick up one cheaply.

FWIW, I have had my 2002 4.6 V8, AWD/4WD Limited since new, now at 8.5 years and 111K miles old, they are not the worst choice out there - but there are certainly better choices, IMO.

Edit: Curtis I see that you have a 2004, so you know all this already (I should have read your profile first)

 

[matt0248]

All explorer engines after '02 to '10 are SOHC engines. the 4.0 v6, and 4.6 v8's (2 valve and 3 valve) are all sohc's.

 

[Curtis]

Thanks guys..
Now just wondering if the v6 and/or v8 are interference engines...

 

[matt0248]

Why does it matter? I can't say for sure but just assume they are.

 

[Curtis]

Why does it matter? I can't say for sure but just assume they are.

Doesn't matter to me but my Dad is really old school since I mentioned in conversation that they are likely interference engines. Now he wants to find a 3rd gen without a SOHC. Thats when I told him I thought all 3rd gens were SOHC (which seems to be now confirmed) but I know he's gonna ask me if they are interference engines. I should not have mentioned anything to him! LOL

 

[matt0248]

Most newer vehicles are interference engines anyways. Well, even non-interference engines can have big time failures. The old escort engine was a sohc and was on-interference, a few times I saw the valve seats come out and destroy the cylinders. IF it's gonna break it's gonna break.

 

[Curtis]

Most newer vehicles are interference engines anyways. Well, even non-interference engines can have big time failures. The old escort engine was a sohc and was on-interference, a few times I saw the valve seats come out and destroy the cylinders. IF it's gonna break it's gonna break.

Im with you.. Ive never thought twice about it...
But my dad has run into so many problems with his 02, and now he's thinking of a 07+... he's scared
I'll have to talk some confidence to him.

 

[gspfunk]

Did I miss a big Ford engine change pre-2011? The 4.0 V6 is an OHV (Over Head Valve) motor, but not a SOHC motor....it's still a pushrod V6. The 4.6 V8 is Single Over Head Cam motor, meaning the cam is physically above the head and the cam is what opens and closes the valves.

 

[Curtis]

I did some more research....on the v6 anyway...

Looking on the Wiki page.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Explorer#Third_generation_.282002.E2.80.932005.29

"Third generation (2002–2005)
Engines were either the 210 hp (157 kW) SOHC 4.0L V6 with 254 ft·lbf (344 N·m) of torque or a 239 hp (178 kW) 4.6 L V8"



Also - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine#SOHC

"The 4.0 L pushrod (245 CID; 4009 cc) version, although produced in Cologne, Germany, was only fitted to American vehicles.[1] The OHV engine was produced until 2000

Currently the only version of the Cologne engine still in production, the SOHC version was introduced in 1997"
============================





So 2001+ seem to only be available with the SOHC?





.

 

[gspfunk]

Sounds like it. Great post! I guess I should have looked it up myself...lol. It's my wife's vehicle and we've kept it stock, so I never really messed w/ it other than regular maintanence things.

 

[2002GreyHD150]

Aviators had a detuned version of the Mustang Mach 1 & Mercury Marauder DOHC 300hp 4 valve, Dual cam engine.

Cool thing is they can be direct swapped for a SOHC & a reflash of the SOHc ECM...

(planning for the wife's Monty either a DOHC 4.6 or a 5.4 SOHC swap)

Rob