How can you tell if a 2000 Ford Explorer XLS has an 'ohv' or 'ohc' engine?

Answer 1

All cars since the early 1950s have OverHead Valve engines. Previous designs were called "Flat Head" or "Side Valve" like most lawnmowers still have. An OverHead Cam engine has overhead valves (also known as "valve-in-head") that are operated by a camshaft over the valves in the cylinder head. The valve cover is taller on an OHC engine as it has to cover the camshaft while the shorter OHV valve cover only has to cover the rocker arms. An OHC engine has a chain or belt sprocket on the front of the cylinder head covered completely in the case of a chain (it's oiled from the inside of the engine) and covered by a safety guard in the case of a toothed belt driven camshaft (it's not lubricated at all). You may be able to see the sprocket or belt if it's a belt driven camshaft.

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Look at your VIN # - if the 8th "character" is an X it's an OHV if the 8th "character"

is an E it's the SOHC engine. (Helpfull)

Wrong!! Ford stopped using OHV engines in 00 and 01. I have a 2000 explorer 4.0 SOHC vin x, not E. Since ford stopped making OHV engines in 00 and 01. Like stated before, look at your VIN, dont rely on this dude

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I have the VIN " X " engine and it is the 160 horsepower overhead valve /

pushrod design 4.0 liter , V6 engine , I'm sorry but you don't have the 4.0 liter

SOHC , VIN " E " engine ( has the original engine from the factory been changed )