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I have a 2003 Ranger, 4.0l, 5r55e, 8.8 LS, fully loaded, and I love it. It died recently when the dreaded timing chain issues came to bite me.
I got it fixed, but I think when the mechanic put it back together, he didn't make sure the oil passages were clear, so my engine started to grind. It's not a good story.
Mechanic, gone. Shop, closed. No recourse. I'm F'd.
Plan C (plan B was a downswap because a running wreck fell into my lap for very cheap) is to see which years of long blocks of the 4.0L SOHC are the same or too different.
Did Ford use different heads from my model year 2003 to 2007 or 2011? Were the trannies (bellhousing bolt pattern) different, as well? Motor mounts?
If I can simply get the bare long block and transfer all my accessories over to that donor motor, that would rock!
Plus being a later model year engine, potentially less mileage.
If you are in Irvine Calif. then you will need a 2003 to 2012 4.0l SOHC can't go older, which you wouldn't want to in any case, lol
2005 and up had the newer designed timing chains, so I wouldn't go older than that.
Yes the block and heads are the same from 1997 to 2012, so long block swap from any year would work.
Same motor mounts and bellhousing bolt pattern
4.0l SOHC was used in these vehicles
2001–2012 Ford Ranger
2001–2010 Mazda B4000
1997–2010 Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer
2005–2010 Ford Mustang
You would swap over your intake and wiring, probably oil pan as well
4WD versions of the 4.0l SOHC had an internal balancer shaft(and 4th timing chain), it was added to offset a vibration issue the engineers "thought" might occur when Rangers got "Live Axles"(always locked front hubs), so front drive shaft was always spinning.
Over the years people have swapped 4.0l SOHC engines with and w/o balancer shafts into 4WD and 2WD and didn't matter, no vibrations in either case.
I also have a chance at a 2006 Mustang 4.0 donor motor with 110k pretty cheap. This one popped up on my feed an hour ago.
I was aware of the internal balancer. The good thing is it doesn't affect the outside dimensions much. Same dimension externally and same mounts, so my search was also with 4x4 blocks.
Thanx for your confirmation, RonD. Much appreciated.
I saw this exact article when the thought os swapping came up to remedy my problem. 5.0 from an Explorer, then this one came up. I dreamt about my own Coyote Ranger
Wholly fabbed engine bay including frame, steering, mounts, suspension...
It wouldn't be for practical purposes...it's all out of love
Bolted right up to the trans, and the exhaust was the same, so it dropped right onto the motor mounts.
Intake wiring is a little different, so I'm transplanting my intake. Same bolt patterns. Not too bad, but I accidentally pulled my trans cooler line and tore it off of the cooler.
Grabbing an aftermarket (i.e., bigger ;p) cooler to replace.
I also found out what happened to the old motor...
The little timing chain cassette bolt (looks like a round disc with a torx head) had loosened up and let the timing chain slip a tooth with a whole lotta noise :(
Well...when I crack the heads off it, I will see if any damage to the pistons. Looking through the intake holes, they look flat, but I won't be able to tell if I can salvage the heads or not until I crack 'em.
4.0l SOHC is an interference engine but very rare for valve to hit the pistons unless the gear slips or chain breaks at higher RPMs, the stopping position for either Cam has all valves closed enough so they don't hit the piston tops
By the position of the cam, it didn't move more than one tooth. In the timing of that one tooth, I don't think it was able to smack a piston. I think I may be OK.
I'm still cracking the heads off for fun since it's out of the truck. I could just turn the cam back to the TDC alignment with the crank, but that's no fun.
Now to peruse the forums for power builds for this little thing.
After the engine swap (from a 2008 4x4), trans swap (coincidentally, also from a 2008, but 2wd), new torque converter, new O2 sensors, new MAF sensor, new fuel filter, oil pressure sender, new knock sensor, new PCV tubes and valve, new dashboard lightbulbs, new cruise control buttons, floor mats that display the Ranger logo...
...and finally finding that *&^%$#@ vacuum leak, I have no more trouble codes.
Knee surgery put off a lot of time in work on the thing, so that's why it took over 8 months to complete this undertaking.
I can't get to the DMV fast enough to get that temp permit to drive to a smog station to hook up his magic computer that says "you may now drive your truck legally on roads in CA."
For all your collective help, I thank you with a huge fist bump to RonD and his hugely extensive knowledge that put me on the right road to recovery, and ultimately, it's return.
07-26-2018
