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Author
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Topic: Explorer 4.0 Head removal
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kcode
Gearhead Posts: 1908
From: alvaton,ky,usa Suburb of Bowling Green, M&M #79, MCA #29208
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 11-30-2001 10:44 PM
   
First, is an Explorer a truck?  Anyway, my 96 Explorer 4.0, 120000 miles has been having antifreeze disappearing for the last year. Originally I thought the radiator was leaking due to the plastic end cap on an aluminum center section, but no visable leaks. Today, I had the oil changed and went down into the pit and looked at the underside of the motor with a flashlight. Both side head gaskets are leaking, not much, it doesn't even leak enough to drip on the ground. The motor is untouched, I still have the original plugs in it. Does any one have experience with the 4.0 pushrod V-6? How difficult will it be to change the head gaskets, other than buying a special socket to get the star head bolt off? The fuel injectors and manifold bother me on removal. Any word of wisdom? Mike
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67stang
Gearhead Posts: 976
From:
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 12-01-2001 12:28 AM
Yes and no  No its not, its a SUV. And we all know that stands for Stupid Useless Vehicle I don't really have any experiece taking one of these apart, but let me tell you what I learned about my 5.0. Disconnect the fuel lines, remove intake. Don't take anything else apart unless you need to. I didn't have to take the injectors off the intake to remove it. Other than that, it should really be straight forward. Maybe someone else can tell us more about the 4.0. My head gaskets are coated with a coat of high temp aluminum spray paint also. It is recommended in my rebuild book.
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 20027
From: Saco, Maine USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-02-2001 08:13 PM
Dig in, and have fun! ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC
My Photo Page
Christmas shopping? Why not use the Mustangsandmore.com Bookstore?
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chris eck
Journeyman Posts: 11
From: PalmHarbor Fl. U.S.A.
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 12-04-2001 06:52 AM
With that kind of mileage and lack of scheduled tuneups,I would try a can of Barrs stop leak available at Napa auto parts.Down time to remove heads yourself,tools needed,working environment-weather all need to be considered.Also if you go to all the trouble to remove the heads might as well have them cleaned up [reconditioned],if you plan on getting some more miles out of the vehicle.I have seen those stop leak products work and not work so why not try it first,might buy you some more time until you deceide what you want to do .
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cpmaverick
Moderator Posts: 1180
From: Auburn, AL.
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 12-06-2001 01:12 PM
Make sure it isn't freeze plugs leaking, because they are on the end of each head and often covered by brackets or smog equipment.
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lyle29464
Gearhead Posts: 480
From: Mt. Pleasant S.C. C. S. A.
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 12-06-2001 06:46 PM
I have had very good luck with stop leak. I always use supper flush first.
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my69mach
Journeyman Posts: 2
From: Central IN
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 12-19-2001 02:03 PM
Buy the Haynes manual.
I rebuilt my 4.0 in my Exploder and the heads were not that different to remove. Very tight space to get everything out of the way. The A/C crap sure gets in the way on the passenger side. The 4.0 heads do like to crack so I would take them in have them checked. Remember to clean everything and buy good quality gaskets when you put everything back together. My heads were close to $200 to repair the cracks and have them redone. 30K on it and it seems fine. Once you get all the crap off the top of the engine you can almost get to all the bolts.
Good luck
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SteveLaRiviere
Administrator Posts: 20027
From: Saco, Maine USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 12-19-2001 08:58 PM
I bought a Haynes manual for my wife's Probe and it was a waste of money. I knew more about the car before I got the book! ------------------
'70 Mustang Mach 1 M code 351C 4V/FMX/3.25 open
'72 Mustang Sprint Coupe 351C 4V/FMX/4.30 Trac Lok
'94 F-150 XL 5.8L/E4OD/3.55 Limited Slip
'97 Probe GTS 2.5L DOHC Christmas shopping? Why not use the
M&M Bookstore?
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