My M5R1(F67A) transmission bellhousing does not line up with my 1990 4.0L OHV Cologne V6, why?

[MR2Ranger19904.0LV6ohv]

Just pulled the 4.0L V6 OHV motor out of my 1990 Ranger which originally had a A4LD automatic transmission last night and I had always thought this M5R1 I bought would bolt right up according to the wonderful article I read on the ranger station, however, the bolt holes do not line up. The top two bolt holes on the bellhousing have a wider gap! Where did I screw up in my research? From the internet research, M5R1 and M5OD are the same am I mistaken? I also have a T5 WC out of an S10, to my research into that, the adapter plate is no longer made. Need help with my project, just want to put a 2wd gearbox behind my 4.0L OHV.

 

[RonD]

M5OD-R1 or shortened version M5R1 are Mazda transmission model numbers, denotes interior design, size and parts, there is an M5R2 which is a larger version for full size trucks

Like Ranger is a Ford Model, denotes basic design but comes with different fitments, i.e. 2WD/4x4, extended cab/regular cab, 4cyl engine/V6 engine ect...................

M5R1 also came in 7 different "versions" which were Ranger "option" model specific
2.3l SOHC 2WD
2.3l SOHC 4x4
3.0l 2WD
3.0l 4x4
4.0l OHV or SOHC 2WD
4.0l OHV or SOHC 4x4
2.3l DOHC 2wd


Reads like you got M5R1 for a different engine than your 4.0l OHV
Sell it, they are usually not hard to sell, but you need to list it for what it fits, i.e. "3.0l 2WD"

Side by side look at 3.0l and 4.0l bell housing patterns: https://www.therangerstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/3-0_vs_4-0_bellhousing.jpg
3.0l has the distinctive 3 bolt starter motor curve
2.3l SOHC engine has starter motor on the other side of engine/bell housing

Also a heads up, 1990 to 1997 2WD M5R1s(any version) had the speedometer cable gear drive, 1998 and up do not, so if you need speedometer cable stick with those year
2001 to 2011 2WD or 4x4 M5R1 have an OSS sensor(any version) which is required for 2001 and up engine computers

 

[MR2Ranger19904.0LV6ohv]

Thank you, mine came from a 2.3L ranger so that bellhousing doesn't work as you've explained. How can I make sure I get an M5R1 that fits my OHV 4.0L 2WD? Will a SOHC 4.0L M5R1 fit my OHV? Just to confirm from what you've said, any 4.0L ranger M5R1 will work correct whether it is a newer SOHC or not?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Thank you, mine came from a 2.3L ranger so that bellhousing doesn't work as you've explained. How can I make sure I get an M5R1 that fits my OHV 4.0L 2WD? Will a SOHC 4.0L M5R1 fit my OHV? Just to confirm from what you've said, any 4.0L ranger M5R1 will work correct whether it is a newer SOHC or not?

I believe the SOHC one is slightly different.

Youll need one from a 2.9/4.0 OHV

 

[Josh B]

The final 2 paragraphs of RonD's post explains it well enough

 

[fastpakr]

I believe the SOHC one is slightly different.

Youll need one from a 2.9/4.0 OHV

It has an extra bolt hole, but it would work just fine.

 

[RonD]

Yes, any 1990-2011 M5R1 from a 4.0l OHV or SOHC will bolt to any 1990-2011 4.0l OHV or SOHC

BUT.........must also match drivetrain, i.e. 2WD or 4x4 they are different
Also get shifter with any year, as they changed them in 2001
Also the speedometer hook up and OSS needs to be kept in mind if you NEED either in the Year of the vehicle the M5R1 is going into

The 2001-2011 M5R1 for 4.0 SOHC had an added bolt hole, so 7 bolts, but the regular 6 bolt holes still line up, these were designated as M5R1-HD models
But still bolt to, and work fine, with a 4.0l OHV, just make sure you get the shifter with it

 

[MR2Ranger19904.0LV6ohv]

Thank you so much everyone, pretty dumb mistake I made. Now, I have a T5 World Class transmission from a 1994 S10. I read that a T4 bellhousing will mate them up, is that correct? I can't find any T4 bellhousings for sale mustang II or otherwise online. I still think the M5R1 is my best and easiest option, after this big mistake I'd liek to just keep things simple.

 

[RonD]

Stick with the M5R1

If its going into a 1990 2WD Ranger then 1990-1997 are the only years than can be hooked up to speedometer cable as is

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It has an extra bolt hole, but it would work just fine.

Ah ok...i thought one was in a different spot