SOHC versus V-8

[Curly]

Well Guys I have managed to get myself totally confused as to what to do.
My 1994 XLT Explorer was totaled. and I am trying to decide
what to purchase to replace it.
- I tow a Ski Boat.
-First, I tried a V-8 Limited AWD with the 4 speed Auto Trans. It loved gas stations and shifted weird ! It is also AWD and I was told to stay away from AWD.
-Second, I tried the SOHC with the 5 speed Auto.
-Big improvement over my previous EFI 6 and the 5 Speed Auto was smooth, but I was driving a rental 2000 Explorer
with only 8,000 km. (Canadian).
-Now I find out that it appears the SOHC has been having problems?? with Hydraulic Timing Chain Tensioners and noise
at start-up & 3500 rpm. Don't know if it will cause long term damage, it appears from one article which I read in Lemonaid that there is not a definite fix to the problem.
-Question - Am I better to purchase a SOHC with the 5 Speed Auto or the V-8 with the 4 Speed & AWD. The V-8 is the Ford
305? Got to know this week as I have one of each lined up.
Regards, Curly
rbedfor@attglobal.net

 

[Rick]

Hello Curly, welcome aboard. I'm going to move this thread to the "Under the Hood" forum where it will be more appropriately placed.

 

[Rick]

I was hoping that someone with more experience with those setups would reply, but I'll make a go at it.

You are correct about the problems with the SOHC. It seems that it's a very common problem, yet not everyone experiences it. I don't know if they have finally solved it in the newest releases.

I personally don't like AWD. I like real 4wd. I think being able to disengage the front wheels while towing would free up power and give better gas mileage. I wish Ford offered the V-8 with a 4wd transfer case!

I know this wasn't much help, but maybe we can get this thread rollin'.

BTW, welcome to the message board!

Rick

 

[GJarrett]

Hi Curly

Well, I was with Rick there, thinking maybe someone else would help. I noticed I got over a thousand posts and was going to go on a "posting diet" so others would think I had another life Oh well, here goes....

I have a '99 SOHC. I've had no problems with it. Please check out the thread http://216.10.4.110/forums/showthread.php?threadid=11418&pagenumber=1

This discussion went all over the place but ended up with a few of our views on that "bad" SOHC. My honest opinion is that the SOHC had the one tensioner problem in a few cases and the rest of its rep has been building through a lot of stories about "how my friend's brother-in-law heard in the bar about three people that got one and they all had problems."

The bottom line is that the SOHC has had ONE identifiable problem in a few cases (the tensioner problem). The only other problem was another "noise on startup" that was cured by changing to a high quality oil filter. Evidently our engines are a little more prone to taking a second to get oil all the way up into our engine if the oil filter we use has a junk anti-dranback valve in it. Other engines do the same thing too. Stay away from the orange Fram filter and there's no problem. I have never heard anywhere about a confirmed "3,500 rpm" noise from anyone.

My SOHC is the smoothest and best modern powerplant I have driven behind.

If you are really curious then you can always start that "How bad is the SOHC?" thread I suggested on the other discussion I referenced.

All that being said, I agree with Rick. You do not state how BIG is your skiboat. Nothing beats a V8 for towing. However, the SOHC has about the same horsepower as the V8, you just lose some low-end torque, and it gets better mileage. The transmission is no contest: the 5sp behind the SOHC is the best and smoothest I have ever experienced. The SOHC can handle your towing needs unless you're pulling something really huge at the top end of the tow rating of the vehicle, and you get to avoid the AWD and get the 4wd low.

You'll do fine with either purchase. Just thought I'd give you some data. Maybe this will spur some V8 supporters to give you more input.

 

[Tom Wilk]

And, now I'll throw in another $.02.

I have the SOHC engine and it is a winning combination with the 5-speed auto. It also offers real 4wd with a low range. Like Gerald, I can vouch for its smoothness. It is a strong motor. I haven't experienced any of the troubles with the timing chain that others have, though I have had a second of noise on startup in very cold weather. But, I've had other OHC engines and they did the same thing. It just takes a second or two for thick cold oil to get to the camshaft up on top of the motor. I've never worn a camshaft out in 4 SOHC and DOHC motors and they all exhibited cold startup noise.

As for the 5.0 V-8, this engine has a very strong track record, dating back to the early 289 cubic inch engine that Ford used in the early and mid-sixties. It is basically the Ford 302 engine. If you intend to tow heavy, say over 3500 lbs, it is a wise choice with all its torque. There's no need to rev this engine to acheave power, its there right now. It's a proven engine.

The weird shifting on the V-8 4-speed may be dependent on your axle ratio. Often, with the low end torque of the V-8, you will find that manufacturers will use taller (lower, numerically) axle ratios to allow for better highway economy. If they go overboard on this, you will find the vehicle hunting for the right gear on hilly terrain.

Read the thread that Gerald suggested, as it provides a ton of pro and con arguements on the two engine/drivetrain choices. I think you'll find all the information you need there.

Oh yeah, one other thing; with the late model setup, the front drive train is always engaged to the front wheels, since there are no hubs. This has pros and cons. In its favor, there are no hubs to deal with, and it is essentially as strong as any FWD vehicle front drive train. As a con, you cannot completely dinengage the front drive train so you always have that little bit of extra drag.

[Edited by Tom Wilk on 06-06-2000 at 07:58 AM]

 

[98EBV8]

I have a 98 EB V8 with AWD. This engine/combo handles better because of the extra pulling in the front. But, because of the 65/35 f/r split, it is not as fast and light feeling as the SOHC.

The V8/AWD has good weight distribution due to the heavier weight of the V8. It also adds stability, helpful in snow.

I driven the '97 Limited with the SOHC and found it to be noisy, screaming at climbing hills. The V8 is quieter, especially at cruising speeds.

The 5-speed auto is nice, they are helpful for pickup, but not much on the highway. Had Ford offer V8 with the 5 speed, it would be faster than the SOHC.

The V8 is the 302 block that has been used in past Mustangs, F-150s, Lincolns, and many other Ford products for years. The Explorers are the last one to offer with the engine/tranny combo. So, proven durability is the strong suit here.

Like I said, the V8 has been around for many years and many performance mods are widely available. The SOHC will catch up eventually with the mods availability and improvements like any other engine.

The current SOHC should be of no problems. I had used FRAM oil filter on my truck and there was no rattle startup sound at all. Just smooth, throaty "vroom".

Remember, the Explorers, especially the current generation, are heavy and having extra torque helps a lot. The fuel consumption is about the same between both engine. I get 15-16 MPG in city, some freeway, no highway. I think it has to do with the less effort the V8 engine require to power the vehicle.

The AWD system, in my opinion, outperforms the control-trac in sloppy conditions. The control-trac requires rear tire slipping to engage the front, sometimes you may experience some jerking sensation in certain situations. The power transfer of the AWD is smooth, the viscous coupling in the transfer case is pretty much like the way automatic transmissions works. The control-trac is a part-time 4X4 system with a full-time mode. The AWD is true full-time system, but it lacks low range. The extra torque, weight distribution and the power pulling from the front compensates it.

If you do off-roading, I would suggest looking into Gerald's nice mods to his truck. The stock configuation just don't do well, even you have the low range capability.

Good luck,
Shane

 

[TPLYNCH]

Just to throw another curve at you, there have been reports that the 5.0 engines coming out right now are not as "tight" as they should be and more prone to problems. This is due to the fact the engine is (sadly in my opinion since I have owned several 302's over the years and loved them) being discontinued with the arrival of the new 2001 Explorer with the 4.6 V8. Word is the maintenance of the manufacturing castings for the 5.0's has been slack since it is going away, so there are greater variances in the engines.... This may or may not be fact, but it is something to consider.

 

[98EBV8]

Yes, I have heard that some 2000 V8 engines has some casting problems. I think that the dealer would immediately replace the engine anyway and not becoming a problem, but you're right, it is something to think about.

I guess then the winner is 4.0L OHV V6 with 160 hp, 225 lb/ft of torque.

Is that the reason you have the XLS?

Shane

 

[Starsailor]

I tow as well

I have a 99 SOHC and tow a 3,500 lb sailboat and have had no problems a all with the engine. I presently have 23K on it and still not problems. There are about 7 other SOHC's in my fleet and have yet to hear anything but how great they are as towing vehicles. I can tow at any speed and regularly travel up steep grades. So no problems on this side. Hope that helped answer your question

 

[kilroy]

Before I got my explorer I had a 92 crown vic with the 4.6 V8, which is basically the same identical engine as the 4.0 minus 2 cylinders. I Loved that engine, it was smooth, powerful, quiet, and got outstanding gas milage (21 city, 28 highway). The only reason I got rid of it, which I now regret, is that I needed something to tow a large horse trailer http://www.grandillusion.org/xlt.htm and My Crown couldn't, because it is very hard to find a class IV hitch for one, plus it would need quite a few mods under the hood in order for it to stay alive (Trans cooler, engine oil cooler, etc). If the 4.0 SHOC would have been able to pull my trailer, I would have prefered it over the V8, for two reasons, better economy, and the 4WL transfer case. But I do like the way my v8 equipped explorer handles in wet and snowy weather, and also the fact that I don't need to do ANYTHING when I need 4 wheel drive. Once the explorer with the 4.6 V8 hits the market I will definately check it out! That is one hell of a nice engine.

If you dont need the extra torque of the V8 get the SHOC!!!

You wont be sorry.

 

[1hotjava]

One a side note...

Kilroy,

I believe that the 4.2L V-6 from the F-150 is the same as the 4.6L V-8 found in Crown Vic/Mustang/F-150/etc...

The 4.0L SOHC in the Explorer is the same engine block (slightly modified to accept different heads) as the 4.0L OHV. Both are made in Cologne Germany. One gets SOHC heads, the other gets the OHV heads.

Just my perception....
-Paul O.

 

[i8u]

"The AWD system, in my opinion, outperforms the control-trac in sloppy conditions. The control-trac requires rear tire slipping to engage the front, sometimes you may experience some jerking sensation in certain situations. The power transfer of the AWD is smooth, the viscous coupling in the transfer case is pretty much like the way automatic transmissions works. The control-trac is a part-time 4X4 system with a full-time mode. The AWD is true full-time system, but it lacks low range. The extra torque, weight distribution and the power pulling from the front compensates it."

Man I couldn't agree more. The quick changing road conditions from just going from one side of the Eishenhower pass to the other and though the mountains make you appreaciate the awd vs the control trac system. Coming around a dry corner and a dry road in Glenwoon canyon on I-70 and hitting a patch of snow can be quite scary if you are in the auto mode on a control trac.

 

[i8u]

I also like the fact that the 5.0s are in such demand they have the parts to make these things beasts for cheap. Not that the 4.0L is bad but the 5.0l is superior IMO due to the fact that the 4.0l sohc engines wear out quicker due to higher engine load. Also I have a locking converter 4R70W than can be rebuilt to the stoughtest tranny you can get. If the housing wears out you can transfer the parts.

 

[section525]

You had to drive your Delorean to get back to this thread!

 

[i8u]

Lol. Yeah guess I proved the search function works....

My delorean is broken. I had to tow it with my ford