Just a curiosity. I'm looking to build a fuel efficient mini rod and I have a nice clean 94 4.0/AT combo but not all the electronics. (as if I could figure out how to make them work). I can make the tranny a full manual if I have to to make it work, but I'm very old school and I really like carbs and I'm wondering if anyone makes a clean, efficient aluminum intake to replace the techy spaghetti on this motor. It would really streamline my new project.

 

So far, no one is making one that I know of. As this question comes up frequently here, maybe somebody ought to get on the ball and make one.

The other problem is of course the distributor (or the lack of one) as these engines are computer-controlled crank trigger ignition. But with a little adaptation of aftermarket parts, it seems to me that it should be possible to make one that is non-computer controlled.

But this is all theoretical, of course...

 

well the 4.0 has the capabilities of running a distributor. If someobdy could cast an intake and man. a distributor for the 4.0, it would sell.

 

what do you mean capabilites? Do you mean the drive gear on the cam and a provision in the block? Just wondering if you could elaborate on that a tad before I get all excited lol.

 

Yes the 4.0 has a distributor hole (in which the 2.9 dist, as far I a know, will work) and has a gear on the cam (was originally used to drive the edis cam sensor). Ive been thinking of making a prototype casting of an intake but funds havent allowed such a project. The distributor part would be easy, just make a 4.0 distributor with the 2.8 duraspark guts.

 

sheetmetal and tubing? or do the ports line up between a 4L and 2.9? something like the intake spacers Price Motosports sells to put 5L intakes on a 351c etc would work then. However I recall someting about ports not matching.

 

Well the 4.0, as well as the 2.9 and 2.8, have intakes that partially make up the valve cover mating surface (just like an FE engine), so it hard to just "make an intake" out of sheet metal and tubes (if it was that easy, I would have done it long ago.

 

oh yeah I forgot about that part....could you utilize the stock intake and clear a dizzy? a guy could run a conventional 'carb' type propane system and mount the mixer in place of the TB....this is all my thinking so far anyway on how it could be feasible, provided the dizzy will clear the intake, or if theres enough room to make it fit.

 

Well all you would have to do to run propane is to put a spud jet right in front of the TB, no conversion required. but I think a 390 4bbl would work REAL nice on a 4.0 in a street rod or 4x4 ranger or something. There is millions of those engines around and a carb conversion would sell nice

 

yeah that would make life alot easier. All the ranger/BII guys would eat those up also.

 

It would make it easier for the ranger guys to do the conversion, especially in earlier trucks.

 

back about on page 4 I just found a thread you started about cologne performance upgrades, you mention a custom upper, 5.0L TB and a turbo.
Hows that going? What turbo do you have or plan on using? Ive got a Buick regal or GN 3.8L T3. Possibly getting an exploder, and hopefully a BII w/2.9L here soon as the deal is pending on my F350.
Sounds interesting tho.

 

Built the engine, plumbed the turbo, never found good engine management (before I had found out about megasquirt) and had to get rid of the old B2. I actually have the 2.9 long block sitting in my garage with the half finished intake manifold, but i sold the turbo and other stuff. Sort of gave up on the 2.9, the 4.0 is a way better engine and Im going to convert my GF's B2 to that when I get some time.

 

sounds cool....was it just a boxed upper? what size was the turbo, mines got a .42 a/r compressor, it looks really small.

I was tossing around some ideas today about a destroked 4L using a 2.9L crank, 250 I6 rods (5.88") and 5.0L forged pistons (they came stock =cheap)...came out to 214cid
this site has all the nitty gritty internal measurements on most ford gas engines http://www.fordracingparts.com/download/charts/217.pdf only thing ive found incorrect is the 2.9L deck height.

 

It was based on the stock 2.9 lower intake. I just knife-edged the ports on the lower, made 90* runners and a plenum off to the side. TB was going to be mounted of the side of that...

That .42 A/R compressor is going to be too small. The turbo from a TC would work great with the .63 exhaust housing and the .60 compressor. That was what I had at the time. Honestly, I dont see a point in destroking the 4.0 unless you are looking to meet some race rules or something.