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2000 Explorer Replace or Rebuild Engine?

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Old Jan 26, 2019 | 09:50 AM
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2000 Explorer Replace or Rebuild Engine?

A friend wants to give me his 2000 Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC engine. He was told it was replace the cam chain or suffer catastrophic failure. I hear replacing the chain requires pulling the engine. This one has 175,000 miles on it. So, does it make sense to replace the engine with a crate motor? I should think at that mileage a rebuild would be in order? Are there are engine options worth considering; e.g. an OHV engine, a V-8? What have others done?
 
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Old Jan 26, 2019 | 01:27 PM
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4.0 from a later, lower mileage exploder, ranger or mustang. Swap the externals and electronics. That's the short version.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2019 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Flame Out
A friend wants to give me his 2000 Explorer with the 4.0 SOHC engine.
My advice: You are looking at a vehicle that is closing in on being 20 years old. Either you have him keep the Explorer or you do all the timing chain/engine swapping work yourself so you have absolutely no labor costs.
Just my $.02.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2019 | 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Kruse
My advice: You are looking at a vehicle that is closing in on being 20 years old. Either you have him keep the Explorer or you do all the timing chain/engine swapping work yourself so you have absolutely no labor costs.
Just my $.02.
One fellow who rebuilt a 4.0 SOHC described it as a "..hateful engine....". Hence the recommendation that you find a later model, lower mile replacement.

YMMV
 
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Old Jan 28, 2019 | 05:48 AM
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Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
One fellow who rebuilt a 4.0 SOHC described it as a "..hateful engine....". Hence the recommendation that you find a later model, lower mile replacement.
I'm all too familiar with the 4.0 SOHC engine and that is why I won't own one. Yes, the red-haired-step child engines were only certain years, but yet, occasionally you hear of later, low-mileaged 4.0 SOHC engines still having problems.
A few months ago, I helped my son buy a 2005 low-mileage Explorer. I made sure that it did NOT have a 4.0 SOHC engine. Knock on wood, he's very happy with his 4.6 engine, even if it does suck the gas.
To the people who are 4.0 SOHC fans, good for you! I've just seen too many of those engines fail and took a perfect good car to the salvage yard.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2019 | 12:15 PM
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The consensus from all I have discussed this with is to not touch it. Thank you to all here who share their opinions.
 
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