Pulled the heads on my '98 Ranger 4.0, took us about 4 hours to get it all tore down. Found what I didn't want to see, the head is cracked between in the intake and exhaust valve on #4 cylinder. So, now I'm looking for new heads. Anyone have recommendations on a decent company with good prices?? Hoping to have a new set by next weekend so I can get my truck running again.

 

Check ebay. Theres a few of them on there pretty cheap. Search "4.0 heads" and "4.0l heads" for more results.

 

There was a post in the last few days I saw. Something about heads with thicker castings?

If your not looking for more than stock power.. I'd just get a set of standard re-man heads.

Personally.. I could not let a opportunity like this pass me by! I'd get a set of ported heads w/oversize SS valves. A set of MLS gaskets. Then bolt them down with ARP fasteners. Even on a stock cam you'll notice the power increase. Add a cam speced to your type of driving and you'll really notice it.

Rich

 

I had the same issue a few years back on my 2000. I went to a salvage yard and got a set for $20 each and had them redone to how I wanted.

 

Yes. If you got it all torn apart, time to put in better parts in. Why do all that work to have the same running truck when your done? Pssh. Make it better.

 

That is kinda what I am thinking now that my trucks torn apart too. But, at the same time.....I dono.

 

Do it. Dont go all out unless you are serious on making power. A port match job and some head work will increase your power and gas mileage, and make it run smoother.

 

Why not just go to a JY and grab a head for the same motor off a vehicle there? Have it checked out and then put it in. Looking to spend a lot less that way.

 

this is a modding site...

 

^ Do you have a point to that post?

 

the point is: when something fails, don't replace, upgrade! if funds will allow.

 

That's generally what you do. Replace it when it's broke. Sometime you don't have the money to go "bigger". OEM just has to do.

This isn't just a modding site, by the way.

 

That or pressure test them to see if they leak. Many manufactures will allow small cracks that meet certain criteria.

 

yes, i know, "it's a premiere site for ranger entheusiasts", and an internet community. now lets have a group hug!

 

If it were cracked and even ford said it's ok cuz it didn't leak... That crack will lead to more cracking. I'd rather have the piece of mind knowing it's fixed even if it's just a replacement OEM head in there.

 

at any rate, i'll second that! i wouldn't put cylinder heads back on that were cracked, a lot, or a little! it's kinda like asking for it!

 

Don't buy used heads for "98 - mid "00 4.0. They ALL will eventually crack if they are stock Ford 4.0 for these years, as they had "porous castings" from what the Ford dealer mechanics as well as others here have told me also. They even admit they should have had a recall on them, but since they usually don't fail until they get around 60,000 + miles on them most people don't realize they had a manufacturing problem with them. Even Ford won't sell you the same heads if you buy new from them, they are what they call "redesigned". I got new heads for mine from Clearwater Cylinderhead in Florida, they had a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty, I'm sure there are other quality aftermarket companies, we have always used these people because of the warranty and had no problems with anything we've gotten from them.

 

I would never buy a used head for this motor. You would end up doing the same repair later down the line, it would just be a matter of when. I got mine for my 99 at www.idealcylinderhead.com it took them a while to get it to me but they were cheap, and they were different than the factory design. I have read a lot of really good things about http://www.alabamacylinderhead.com/ too. I remember researching the swap on several forums, and IIRC there were a lot of members who got theres from them. I would also replace both while you have it apart.

http://www.alabamacylinderhead.com/p...ail.php?id=172

I would also very strongly recommend replacing the push rods and lifters while you have yours apart. They wear very fast on these motors and start to chatter quite a bit. I'm going to have to pull mine apart because I was lazy when I replaced the heads. You can find those kits on ebay for cheap.