Hey everyone. I'm a total newb to the Ford scene so please excuse the idiot questions. I recently got a 2000 Explorer with the 4.0. I thought it was sohc engine bc that seemed to be the common engine... Then while doing research I see there are two different engines... My truck is a X vin so this means the engine is NOT sohc? I have a problem with the truck that I just want fixed. It starts fine and idles good but doesn't accelerate correct and smells like its running rich but I could be wrong. I don't have a timing light or a scanner yet so I'm looking for suggestions what to look at. There is a little noise from the front of the engine that almost sounds like a lifter but down lower... I changed the coil pack which one side was split from the casing a little and changed the plugs but that's it so far. Exhaust is coming out strong but she pops and backfires around 3k rpm. Going down the road with the pedal mashed she accelerates really slow and I haven't had it over 45mph... Haven't gone very far though. Could the front cat be the issue? The ticking doesn't sound like a rod or pistons slapping so maybe timing? The oil looks good... Not milky like a blown head gasket... She does have 179,xxx miles too. No check engine lights on neither. Any ideas what to look at? Thanks in advance.

 

See this thread first. OP has figured out he has an OHV but bought the coil pack for a SOHC. Not sure there is a difference or if that's his problem.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12400750

 

I found out the part number is the same for both engines. I'm just not sure what to look at next. No lights are on but I'm going to hook a scanner up anyway to see what it says. I apologize for asking the same question in different areas on here, just not familiar with the forum yet. Could a knocking rod cause the issues I'm seeing without throwing codes? I hear a noise in the front of the engine but I don't know what it may be? Really doesn't sound like a rod but I don't know for sure.