rookie mistake

[MR.NORTEÑO]

I purchased a1997 ford explorer that needs to replace engine I went out and bought a parts vehicle same make same year what I didn't notice was that my engine is a 4.0 EFI AND THE ENGINE I WANT TO PUT IN IT IS A 4.0 SOHC I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER IS NOT GONNA LET IT FIRE UP COULD U GUYS PLEASE TELL ME THERE'S A WAY TO BYPASS OR CONVERT THE NEW ENGINE SINCE I HAVE THE PARTS VEHICLE PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME OUT MY WIFE THINKS IM THE BIGGEST FOOL ON EARTH!!!!!

 

[slaughterrt]

I purchased a1997 ford explorer that needs to replace engine I went out and bought a parts vehicle same make same year what I didn't notice was that my engine is a 4.0 EFI AND THE ENGINE I WANT TO PUT IN IT IS A 4.0 SOHC I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER IS NOT GONNA LET IT FIRE UP COULD U GUYS PLEASE TELL ME THERE'S A WAY TO BYPASS OR CONVERT THE NEW ENGINE SINCE I HAVE THE PARTS VEHICLE PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME OUT MY WIFE THINKS IM THE BIGGEST FOOL ON EARTH!!!!!

I would sell the parts car and look to buy another donor car. Easiest way.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

Yup. Sell the parts truck. Way too much involved to be a simple swap.

 

[koda2000]

Sell the parts car and get the newest, lowest mileage OHV 4.0 you can find. The 4.0 SOHC is a bit of a turd anyway and the conversion isn't worth it.

 

[intelisevil]

MY WIFE THINKS IM THE BIGGEST FOOL ON EARTH!!!!!

You must be a newlywed if this is something new . . . You'll get used to it or you'll find another one. May 13th will be 39 years for me, I still seem to do something about once a month that the wife just doesn't understand. You'd think she'd have me trained better by now!

Back to the engine problem - The experts have spoken, listen to them.

Good Luck,

 

[rathrbcruisin]

I have never done an engine swap, but why couldn't you just swap the PCM from the donor truck. I know when I changed the PCM in my 93 ranger there were a few variations available and you had to get the right one, whether it was auto, had cruise etc.

 

[rathrbcruisin]

See if there's anything here that can help you. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-conversions.shtml

 

[masospaghetti]

I wouldn't do the swap even if it were easy, simply because the SOHC is significantly less reliable than the OHV.

 

[MillerAPF97XLT]

I wouldn't do the swap even if it were easy, simply because the SOHC is significantly less reliable than the OHV.

I started a thread on the flip side of this topic (out with the 4.0 SOHC, in with something else), looking for advice and guidance. I, too, question the reliability of the SOHC, or at least the desirability of ever having to chase right side head valve train problems. I'm getting mixed reviews on that thread, though.

My first thought for the OP's dilemma was also to swap over the donor truck's engine wiring harness and PCM, particularly if the engine was known to run before removal. Even with the 4.0 SOHC's shortcomings, wouldn't this be the quickest and most economical way for him to salvage his pride and restore his wife's faith in him? AND pull a working vehicle out of the wreckage? As always, just my $0.02; your results may vary. I'll be watching to see how this one plays out - Chris :exp:

 

[koda2000]

The OHV engine will bolt right in, but the wiring and PCM would have to be switched over and you'd have lots of stuff to deal with like maybe the exhaust system, air cleaner and intake tube, hoses (vacuum and water). Much easier to just install the same engine as what came out. I'd look for an relatively low mileage '05-'10 SOHC Mustang, Explorer or Ranger engine and swap over all the pieces that are unique to the '97. The long blocks should be identical.

 

[MillerAPF97XLT]

The OHV engine will bolt right in, but the wiring and PCM would have to be switched over and you'd have lots of stuff to deal with like maybe the exhaust system, air cleaner and intake tube, hoses (vacuum and water). Much easier to just install the same engine as what came out. I'd look for an relatively low mileage '05-'10 SOHC Mustang, Explorer or Ranger engine and swap over all the pieces that are unique to the '97. The long blocks should be identical.

Agreed, an exact-same-engine swap would have been the easiest route for NORTENO to go. Given the situation, though, I would try to stick as little MORE money (and time) as I could into the project as I could, especially if the donor engine is/was running well, and he still has the whole donor vehicle. If that's the case, and since the SOHC WAS a factory option in the Ex, NORTENO has A solution in his possession. Maybe not the IDEAL solution, but... No doubt, I could be under-thinking this, and will always welcome gentle tuition/correction. - Chris:exp: