Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2008 Ford Explorer 2WD V6-4.0LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
System Specifications
Cylinder Block
Cylinder bore
Diameter 100.4 mm (3.953 in)
Maximum taper 0.025 mm (0.001 in)
Maximum out-of-round 0.025 mm (0.001 in)
Main bearing bore inside diameter 60.620-60.634 mm (2.387-2.387 in)
Head gasket surface flatness 0.1 mm (0.004 in) overall
Crankshaft
Main bearing journal
Diameter 56.980-57.0 mm (2.243-2.244 in)
Maximum taper 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Maximum out-of-round 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Clearance-to-cylinder block 0.008-0.062 mm (0.0003-0.0024 in)
Connecting rod journal
Diameter 53.98-54.0 mm (2.125-2.126 in)
Maximum taper 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Maximum out-of-round 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Maximum end play 0.05-0.32 mm (0.002-0.0126 in)
Crankshaft Main Bearings
Clearance to crankshaft 0.021-0.039 mm (0.0008-0.0015 in)
Clearance to crankshaft allowable 0.013-0.048 mm (0.0005-0.002 in)
Bearing wall thickness 1.8-1.806 mm (0.0709-0.0711 in)
Crankshaft Main Bearing Cap Bolts 97 Nm (72 lb-ft).
Connecting Rod
Pin bore diameter 23.958-23.976 mm (0.943-0.944 in)
Length (center-to-center) 145.965-146.035 mm (5.747-5.749 in)
Maximum allowed bend 0.013 mm (0.0005 in) per 25.4 mm (1.000 in)
Maximum allowed twist 0.038 mm (0.0015 in) per 25.4 mm (1.000 in)
Bearing bore diameter 56.82 mm-56.84 mm (2.237 in-2.238 in)
Bearing-to-crankshaft clearance 0.022-0.064 mm (0.0008-0.0025 in)
Side clearance 0.092-0.268 mm (0.0036-0.0106 in)
Connecting Rod Nuts
NOTE: The connecting rod bolts and nuts cannot be reused.
First pass 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
Final pass Tighten an additional 90°
Piston
Diameter
Coded standard 100.380-100.400 mm (3.952-3.9528 in)
Coded 0.5 100.880-100.900 mm (3.971-3.972 in)
Coded 1.0 101.390-101.400 mm (3.991-3.992 in)
Clearance-to-cylinder bore 0.030-0.050 mm (0.0012-0.002 in)
Ring end gap
Top 0.200-0.450 mm (0.008-0.018 in)
Bottom 0.40-0.60 mm (0.016-0.024 in)
Ring groove width
Top 1.23-1.25 mm (0.0484-0.0492 in)
Bottom 1.52-1.54 mm (0.0598-0.0606 in)
Oil ring 3.01-3.03 mm (0.1185-0.1193 in)
Ring width
Top 1.175-1.190 mm (0.0463-0.0469 in)
Bottom 1.475-1.490 mm (0.0581-0.0587 in)
Ring-to-groove clearance
Top 0.040-0.075 mm (0.0016-0.0030 in)
Bottom 0.030-0.065 mm (0.0012-0.0026 in)
Pin bore diameter 23.958-23.976 mm (0.943-0.944 in)
Piston Pin
Diameter
Red 23.994-23.997 mm (0.9446-0.9448 in)
Blue 23.997-24.000 mm (0.9448-0.9449 in)
Length 72.0-72.8 mm (2.835-2.866 in)
Fit-to-piston 0.01-0.016 mm (0.0004-0.0006 in)
Clearance-to-connecting rod 0.01-0.016 mm (0.0004-0.0006 in)
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
Install a new crankshaft pulley bolt.
First pass 45 Nm (33 lb-ft).
Final pass Tighten an additional 85°
Cylinder bore
Diameter 100.4 mm (3.953 in)
Maximum taper 0.025 mm (0.001 in)
Maximum out-of-round 0.025 mm (0.001 in)
Main bearing bore inside diameter 60.620-60.634 mm (2.387-2.387 in)
Head gasket surface flatness 0.1 mm (0.004 in) overall
Crankshaft
Main bearing journal
Diameter 56.980-57.0 mm (2.243-2.244 in)
Maximum taper 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Maximum out-of-round 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Clearance-to-cylinder block 0.008-0.062 mm (0.0003-0.0024 in)
Connecting rod journal
Diameter 53.98-54.0 mm (2.125-2.126 in)
Maximum taper 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Maximum out-of-round 0.008 mm (0.0003 in)
Maximum end play 0.05-0.32 mm (0.002-0.0126 in)
Crankshaft Main Bearings
Clearance to crankshaft 0.021-0.039 mm (0.0008-0.0015 in)
Clearance to crankshaft allowable 0.013-0.048 mm (0.0005-0.002 in)
Bearing wall thickness 1.8-1.806 mm (0.0709-0.0711 in)
Crankshaft Main Bearing Cap Bolts 97 Nm (72 lb-ft).
Connecting Rod
Pin bore diameter 23.958-23.976 mm (0.943-0.944 in)
Length (center-to-center) 145.965-146.035 mm (5.747-5.749 in)
Maximum allowed bend 0.013 mm (0.0005 in) per 25.4 mm (1.000 in)
Maximum allowed twist 0.038 mm (0.0015 in) per 25.4 mm (1.000 in)
Bearing bore diameter 56.82 mm-56.84 mm (2.237 in-2.238 in)
Bearing-to-crankshaft clearance 0.022-0.064 mm (0.0008-0.0025 in)
Side clearance 0.092-0.268 mm (0.0036-0.0106 in)
Connecting Rod Nuts
NOTE: The connecting rod bolts and nuts cannot be reused.
First pass 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
Final pass Tighten an additional 90°
Piston
Diameter
Coded standard 100.380-100.400 mm (3.952-3.9528 in)
Coded 0.5 100.880-100.900 mm (3.971-3.972 in)
Coded 1.0 101.390-101.400 mm (3.991-3.992 in)
Clearance-to-cylinder bore 0.030-0.050 mm (0.0012-0.002 in)
Ring end gap
Top 0.200-0.450 mm (0.008-0.018 in)
Bottom 0.40-0.60 mm (0.016-0.024 in)
Ring groove width
Top 1.23-1.25 mm (0.0484-0.0492 in)
Bottom 1.52-1.54 mm (0.0598-0.0606 in)
Oil ring 3.01-3.03 mm (0.1185-0.1193 in)
Ring width
Top 1.175-1.190 mm (0.0463-0.0469 in)
Bottom 1.475-1.490 mm (0.0581-0.0587 in)
Ring-to-groove clearance
Top 0.040-0.075 mm (0.0016-0.0030 in)
Bottom 0.030-0.065 mm (0.0012-0.0026 in)
Pin bore diameter 23.958-23.976 mm (0.943-0.944 in)
Piston Pin
Diameter
Red 23.994-23.997 mm (0.9446-0.9448 in)
Blue 23.997-24.000 mm (0.9448-0.9449 in)
Length 72.0-72.8 mm (2.835-2.866 in)
Fit-to-piston 0.01-0.016 mm (0.0004-0.0006 in)
Clearance-to-connecting rod 0.01-0.016 mm (0.0004-0.0006 in)
Crankshaft Pulley Bolt
Install a new crankshaft pulley bolt.
First pass 45 Nm (33 lb-ft).
Final pass Tighten an additional 85°
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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