Camshaft position sensor Swap?
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Camshaft position sensor Swap?
Iv'e got a 1995 Explorer 4.0L with major lower-end problems. I'm doing a complete engine swap from a 1996 Explorer 4.0L. In the process we discovered that the wiring harnesses are differaent as well as all the motor senors. So we're swaping everything off the old motor.
The Question: Is there any adjustment to the camshaft position sensor? (like a mechanical distributer would have to be adjusted) While swaping the camshaft position sensors is it nesseccery to put rotate both motors into TDC Piston 1 before doing the swap?
And just for my own curiousity. - If there isn't any adjustment how does the sensor "calibrate" itself to know what position the cam is in?
Thanks
Dave
The Question: Is there any adjustment to the camshaft position sensor? (like a mechanical distributer would have to be adjusted) While swaping the camshaft position sensors is it nesseccery to put rotate both motors into TDC Piston 1 before doing the swap?
And just for my own curiousity. - If there isn't any adjustment how does the sensor "calibrate" itself to know what position the cam is in?
Thanks
Dave
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From: Connecticut
Hi Dave, welcome to FTE!
Kind of a hard thing to describe in a post. Believe it or not, Haynes Manual for '91-'01 Explorer actually covers pretty well the installation, alignment and testing of the camshaft postion sensor and synchronizer. Probably worth the 14 bucks to pick it up.
Kind of a hard thing to describe in a post. Believe it or not, Haynes Manual for '91-'01 Explorer actually covers pretty well the installation, alignment and testing of the camshaft postion sensor and synchronizer. Probably worth the 14 bucks to pick it up.
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From: Homer, Alaska
It takes a special tool (or a good eye) to align the cps. The #1 piston must be at TDC to install the cps. It does not calibrate itself. It must be aligned properly to work properly. It does not matter where the sensor is on the engine you are removing it from, but it is pretty important to get it installed properly on the new engine.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by murch4
I would like to buy a cam position sensor inexpensively. I've had no luck finding this on the internet.
What's a good discount parts place to get one?
What's a good discount parts place to get one?
P.S. Welcome to FTE!
Posting Guru
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From: Homer, Alaska
I paid $35 for mine (one time use-I hope). It was a very nicely machined piece of steel and very nice paint with part numbers (in white!). The same thing could be made out of plastic for 50 cents, but it sure wouldn't be as pretty. I don't think my 3.0 tool will work on your 4.0, but if you want to check it out to see if it will work, I will send it to you. Just make sure you send it back. Let me know.
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From: USA
I just went through this swapping motors in my wives mustang. I put a 97 motor in to a 94 both 3.8l. V-6
What I learned is you will have to swap out the entire harness on the motor and all the sensors. How I swapped out the cam position sensor was to put both motors at TDC. Then scribe the base and scribe the inside of the housing with the piece that spins around in side. Then remove the CAM position sensor and housing and reinstall in to the new motor making sure that all the scribe marks are realigned.
Now that I said all this I was paranoid and went to the ford dealer and asked if I could by the alignment tool. A friendly technician loaned me his for the night. I checked the alignment and I had it in perfect. I was also told that up to 96 the Cam position sensors are not all that critical in terms of there alignment. You have to get it in to the right tooth but the housing can be a little off and the computer will adjust. 97 up are very sensitive and have to be aligned exactly.
I have photos of the 94 vs the 97 Cam position sensors from my mustang motor swap if you want to see them I can post a link to my motor swap page. if you want to see.
Ohya the 94 unit was about 2x the size of the 97 unit.
Dean
What I learned is you will have to swap out the entire harness on the motor and all the sensors. How I swapped out the cam position sensor was to put both motors at TDC. Then scribe the base and scribe the inside of the housing with the piece that spins around in side. Then remove the CAM position sensor and housing and reinstall in to the new motor making sure that all the scribe marks are realigned.
Now that I said all this I was paranoid and went to the ford dealer and asked if I could by the alignment tool. A friendly technician loaned me his for the night. I checked the alignment and I had it in perfect. I was also told that up to 96 the Cam position sensors are not all that critical in terms of there alignment. You have to get it in to the right tooth but the housing can be a little off and the computer will adjust. 97 up are very sensitive and have to be aligned exactly.
I have photos of the 94 vs the 97 Cam position sensors from my mustang motor swap if you want to see them I can post a link to my motor swap page. if you want to see.
Ohya the 94 unit was about 2x the size of the 97 unit.
Dean
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Originally Posted by dsmith1484
I just went through this swapping motors in my wives mustang. I put a 97 motor in to a 94 both 3.8l. V-6
What I learned is you will have to swap out the entire harness on the motor and all the sensors. How I swapped out the cam position sensor was to put both motors at TDC. Then scribe the base and scribe the inside of the housing with the piece that spins around in side. Then remove the CAM position sensor and housing and reinstall in to the new motor making sure that all the scribe marks are realigned.
Dean
What I learned is you will have to swap out the entire harness on the motor and all the sensors. How I swapped out the cam position sensor was to put both motors at TDC. Then scribe the base and scribe the inside of the housing with the piece that spins around in side. Then remove the CAM position sensor and housing and reinstall in to the new motor making sure that all the scribe marks are realigned.
Dean
Thanks for the help.
Dave
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: USA
Originally Posted by hdavid66
This is exactly what I ended up doing and the swap worked fine.
Thanks for the help.
Dave
Thanks for the help.
Dave
Dean
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From: central Illinois
Fixiteveryday
I have a 97 4.0 ohv. Bought a 95 up long block that was supposed to fit. Well I got the 6 bolt flywheel for the 95 up crank. 97 has 8. I knew this. Ford dealer said front bal. pully same. Put 97 pan on. FINE! Put 97 timing cover on fine! Put 97 intake on fine! But cam pos. sensor housing WILL NOT go all the way in! Lacks 1/8 inch! Tried turning crank/cam by hand while pushing in on it. No go! Called Advanced Auto ,95 up same on housing. Auto zone same answer! Ford Parts on internet same 95 up same! Then I called dealer. Well seems their parts book shows 2 different units for 95, 1 for 96-97, 1 for 96-98. This is why I hate to work on FORDS! Ready to put 5.0 in this thing n' ferget it! But will computer wiring and 55eod trans bolt up? or can I change tranny bellhousing? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
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