Engine dilemma
Engine dilemma
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Cold Lake, AB
You are correct, the 4.0 OHV and 4.0 pushrod are the same engine. Cam shafts are located below the cylinder and therefor use lifters and pushrods to actuate the valves.
The 4.0 SOHC (single overhead cam) uses no pushrods. Cam shafts are located above the cylinders and activate the valves directly. In the Explorer, these have more HP than the OHV's.
The 4.0 SOHC (single overhead cam) uses no pushrods. Cam shafts are located above the cylinders and activate the valves directly. In the Explorer, these have more HP than the OHV's.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
True the sohc engine makes more power but they were prone to problems with the cam chain tensioner there was a TSB out on the sohc. I imagine after that problem is fixed they are a great engine but im happy with my ohv 4 l (even though it makes less hp) , I'd be a little afraid of a sohc after reading the problems on here. The sohc has supercharger kits available for it too another advantage over the sohc.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
wow glad i didnt have any chain tensioner problems with mine *knock on wood* but , ^^^ im sure you meant to say OHV instead of SOHC?? also i see supercharger kits for the 4.0 ranger , is that the EXACT same engine as the explorer?? i might look into a blower.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
Likes: 2
From: UT
It is true that the SOHC puts out more horsepower than the OHV. One point I would make, though, is that the SOHC (and OHC engines in general) have the torque curve shifted to higher RPM than the OHV. If I remember right, the 4.0 OHV's peak torque is at about 2400 RPM, where the SOHC is around 3400 RPM. It all depends on what you want to do with an engine, but sometimes it is preferable to have an engine that pulls more at lower RPM than to have an engine that generates all its power at high RPM.
