Alright well my 4.0 has been rattling for about 2000 miles now and its getting a little worse. So not this weekend but next my buddy and I are gonna pull the motor, then I have another buddy that runs a mobile car service and hes going to come do the tensioner work on it. Just wanted to know if you guy had any pointers for pulling the motor. My friend has experience pulling many motors but not a 4.0 out of a ranger. Any special tips or special tools I will need that I should know about? Thanks!

 

id pick up a can of PB blast to help loosen the bolts up

 

There may be several special tools related to removing the fuel lines, etc.. All are pretty reasonably priced from my experiences.

What year is your truck/engine? If it's a SOHC then you're gonna need the special tools to do the timing chain work. The crank and cams have to be kept EXACTLY in position or yer screwed.


GB :)

 

Yup its the SOHC. Alright maybe Ill stop by the Ford Dealer to see what the tools are like. Maybe my friend already has them. Ill have to check it out. Its a 2001 Ford Ranger 4.0 SOHC btw.

 

you best have ALL the special holding and aligning tools to do the cam tensioners...you should replace the chains and guides too when you are in there...there are two chains on the front of the motor and one on the rear...i have done many sets and it is an interference motor...so one tooth off will ruin your day

 

From what I've read and understood, one degree of movement will ruin your day and your bank account. The Ford tools are around $300 if you have to buy them... By the time you're done a good used engine from a salvage yard would be just as cheap.

I plan on running mine with the rattle til she blows up. After that I'll buy a 2003-4 or newer salvage yard engine with low mileage..


GB :)

 

Sorry if I sound dumb but.. What years engines will fit my 2001 Ranger. Because its looking like buying a engine from a yard is the best option if I can get an 03+. So 03+ will fit in my truck flawlessly?

 

Also I found these. Do these look like the right tools?
OTC 6488 Ford Cam Tool Kit, Timing Chain Tool Set (V-6)

 

those be the tools

 

mm alright well my buddy assured me it is possible by marking the sprockets with nail polish so you know where they go and stuff. Think that will work?

 

You HAVE to have the tools though. It's essential the cams and the crank stay exactly where they're supposed to be. One degree of movement and your job is over. A shop would likely have to do it from there on out.

Basically, if the guy has never done a Ford SOHC 4.0 before then don't let him touch yours. I wouldn't.

I'd just find a used engine with low mileage. For the cost of the tools and a few hundred more, you could have a good engine, plus you'd have a few spare parts to keep just in case.



GB :)

 

Good engine how do i know the tensioners in the used engine arn't broke?
Seems I can find 2001 engines all day, but 03+ are much harder to come by.

So new engine $950 with 109000 miles
$200 Tools to hold cams and crank in place
About $300 or so in parts ( havent looked in depth but i know each cassette is 100 bucks)



So thats like 1500 right there. Ford dealer charges 1500 for primary chain only, and 2300 for all chain tensioners.


Maybe I can convince him to buy the tools? This is lame haha

 

nail polish doesnt work, when you take the chains off, the cams will want to turn from the valves that are open