I've had this truck for a while, bought it with some body damage, and have let the truck sit off and on. To make a long story short got it repaired started driving it and on the way home from work it starts knocking. Anyone had any luck rebuilding these engines? Or would I be better off buying an engine out of a salvage yard. I'm afraid of buying junk. Can't figure out what happened truck ran good, sounded good, drove it like 18 miles to work and about half way home it started this. Any Advice?

 

Without much knowledge of your mechanical skills and all that..I would just pick up a new engine from a junkyard. They come with warranty and if there was a problem with a salvaged engine I'd imagine it would show up pretty quickly!

 

I'd have no trouble rebuilding it myself, just trying to weigh my options along with the cost. Don't really want to put a ton of money in the truck, it's just a work/hunting vehicle.

 

Well if thats the case probably want a junkyard motor with low miles not sure theres a complete rebuild kit so it would probably cost you more in the long run hunting down all the parts. Plus if you get it apart and its something major like a cracked block then your in it for a rebuilt or scrap motor anyway. I know advanced sells long blocks that are reman with 3 year unlimited mileage warranty for about $1200-$1700 depending on which motor it is or you could probably get a salvage motor for a around $800 or less depending on the yard.

 

So far I haven't had any luck locating an engine. They are kinda hard to find apparently. Its a 4.0. So I guess I'll just pull it and throw some bearings in the bottom end and maybe a crank and hope for the best.

 

Try LKQ they have pretty much everything you can go newer year model if necessary as long as you swap over the PCM i think the 99 was OHC so anything newer should work. Good Luck.

 

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My engine is a 4.0 OHV. What all years are compatible?

 

Any OHC 4.0 should work its hit or miss i think the explorer went to OHC in 97 and then the range went in 98 or 99 i could be wrong but most likely 99 or newer should be compatible. Just have to make sure you keep all original emissions junk but that should be bolt on swap from the old motor.