Which intake gasket brand?

[drothgeb]

Ok, I plan on replacing intake manifold gaskets (upper and lower) next weekend. I've been looking at RockAuto.com and they seem very reasonably priced plus the motorcraft plugs are cheaper than Advance so I'm getting those also.
There are 3 brands of gaskets on their site: Dorman, Fel-pro and Victor Reinz (in order of expensive to cheap). There's only about a $5 difference in price from the Dorman to the Victor Reinz so if you guys could please tell me which brand is the best or if there aren't really any differences it would help.

Thanks!

P.S. Is it best to get the hydraulic timing tensioners at the dealer or online? Can't seem to find them on many sites and I'm afraid I'll get the off-brand cheapos

 

[1998Explodasport]

I would go with Fel Pro or Motorcraft.

 

[corkey]

Fel Pro

 

[team]

Fel Pro!

 

[drothgeb]

sweet, so the cheapest ones ($11) are the most popular so far

 

[swetrid]

Fel pro or motorcraft

 

[RangerX]

Check this link: http://rockledge.home.comcast.net/~rockledge/RangerPictureGallery/40LIntakeGasketReplacement.pdf

Here's a quote from it on page 8: Miscellaneous
Choosing Gaskets
1. Use OEM Intake Gaskets. The Fel-Pros are good, but the Ford Gaskets are better, according to most
4.0L gurus. Apparently the Fel-Pro lower intake gasket uses cork on the ends, as opposed the rubber that
Ford uses: (Ford Part # F7TZ-9E439-AA)

 

[drothgeb]

Thanks for the input guys! I really appreciate it. I can't seem to find the tensioners online anywhere except ebay and I'm a little hesitant to buy important auto parts from there. I seem to find the left tensioner on some sites but not the rear. Just go to the dealer?

 

[drothgeb]

Check this link: http://rockledge.home.comcast.net/~rockledge/RangerPictureGallery/40LIntakeGasketReplacement.pdf

Here's a quote from it on page 8: Miscellaneous
Choosing Gaskets
1. Use OEM Intake Gaskets. The Fel-Pros are good, but the Ford Gaskets are better, according to most
4.0L gurus. Apparently the Fel-Pro lower intake gasket uses cork on the ends, as opposed the rubber that
Ford uses: (Ford Part # F7TZ-9E439-AA)

Does this apply to the SOHC? I didn't think there was anything that could be cork in the gaskets for it.

 

[janolsson]

Get the 00m12 kit that has the gaskets and the front tensioner for less than buying the tensioner on its own (go figure).
You can get the kit and the rear tensioner from tascaparts.com for ford OE. 00m12 kit (intake kit) $48 and tensioner $28 plus a few cents.

 

[drothgeb]

Are these the correct parts on tasca:

Tensioner, explorer, mountaineer, upper - 4.0l sohc - 4.0L SOHC
97-04 $43.32msrp $28.59our price

and

Tensioner, explorer, mountaineer, lower - 4.0l sohc - 4.0L SOHC
97-05 $21.65 $14.29

I can't seem to find the 00m12 kit listed or just intake gaskets but the tensioners are listed as upper or lower.

 

[janolsson]

Are these the correct parts on tasca:

Tensioner, explorer, mountaineer, upper - 4.0l sohc - 4.0L SOHC
97-04 $43.32msrp $28.59our price

and

Tensioner, explorer, mountaineer, lower - 4.0l sohc - 4.0L SOHC
97-05 $21.65 $14.29

I can't seem to find the 00m12 kit listed or just intake gaskets but the tensioners are listed as upper or lower.

I think the top one is correct but the other one isn't.
Check out post #52 on this thread to get the part numbers and input those into tasca to get the correct part.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227038&page=3

 

[drothgeb]

Thank you!

 

[drothgeb]

Wait...that link goes to replacing a door lock actuator

 

[janolsson]

Wait...that link goes to replacing a door lock actuator

Sorry drothgeb had that on the clipboard from another post for a different thread.
This should be the correct one
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227038&page=3

#52

 

[drothgeb]

Thanks can't wait to get this done!