Rebuilding my 4.0 OHV

[Towerman101]

I am going to be pulling the engine and trans from my 91 Explorer and was wondering if anyone has done any crazy rebuilds on the 4.0 OHV engine? The heads on this engine have already been ported and polished, Ive got headers and a good exhaust, the air filter has been replaced with a K&N, but the shortblock itself is bone stock. Has anyone out there been able to find a good aftermarket cam? Connecting rod upgrades? Or what about grinding the crank for more stroke? I want to pull more reliable horsepower from the engine without killing longevity, but before I run the block to the machine shop I want to have more ideas on what I can do as far as putting together a good bottom half and what the cost would be. Any help at all on this would be greatly appreciated.

Towerman 101
91 Explorer XLT
Manual Trans

 

[TheRookie]

4.0 performance has some cam options. Gringing cranks for more stroke has never sat well with me. HIGHER COMPRESSION Or forced induction?

 

[sunbum]

Although the 4.0 OHV is a workhorse, I guess it depends on what you want from the engine as to whether or not its worth rebuilding...
Personally, I'm hoping to pick up an engine to drop in, like a .302 or something tastier, but I'm craving performance lately...

 

[Towerman101]

Beileve me I've been pondering doing a 302 or 351 swap, but dont want to turn my Explorer into a project car... Since it is my daily driver I must force myself to be realistic and stick with getting the most out of my factory engine. 4.0 performance might be getting a phone call from me to get what I need to put the engine back together after it comes back from the machine shop.
As far as forced induction goes, I do keep an eye out for a blower kit that would seem too good to pass up