Is it possible to put a chevy 350 in a 1997 explorer???

[Crazy Al 91]

i have a 1997 explorer xlt that needs an engine. i have the oppertunity to buy a chevy 350 and tranny for cheap. i need to know if it is possible to put it in an explorer, and if so, how much is involved. thankyou

 

[Willard]

idk, the question is would a chevy motor run in a ford?

 

[CDW6212R]

Chevy engines are for Chevy's, or the junk pile. I have listened to ignorant Chevy lovers for years, I am old enough that I don't have to be polite about my contempt for them and their ignorance any longer. Good luck,

 

[jimbo74]

you can do it but why? anything is possible... but i wnat to say something and dont think im a jerk... but if you need to ask how or what you need to do to make a chevy engine fit into a ford truck, then you either better be rich and can pay someone who knows what the heck they are doing, or shouldnt even attempt it, because you have no idea what you are doing

 

[FROADER]

i have a 1997 explorer xlt that needs an engine. i have the oppertunity to buy a chevy 350 and tranny for cheap. i need to know if it is possible to put it in an explorer, and if so, how much is involved. thankyou

Anything is possible, but...this would be a MAJOR project. A lot of custom parts and money. If you do it, be sure to post pictures.

Good luck.

Oh, and I suppose your board name wouldn't fit you if you didn't ask something like this eh?

 

[glfredrick]

All the nay-sayers apart, a 350 Chevy would be almost a drop in for the Explorer chassis in a physical sense.

You would have to fabricate motor mounts, transmission mounts, swap transfer cases, modify the firewall for distributor clearance, and also likely up the front spring rates (the 350 is heavier than the almost all aluminum 4.0L Ford). Most of that stuff would be fairly easy if you have fabrication skills, and it would make for an interesting ride -- the 350 in proper tune makes a lot of HP (or is at least capable of doing so).

On top of that, you would have to transfer in the entire wiring harness for the Chevy -- which would involve a lot of patching into external circuits like lights, etc. Most of the on-board Ford stuff like electric door locks, power windows, alarm system, factory stereo, etc., would take some serious work arounds to make work, as they all tie into one of the multiple computers on-board.

Finally, there is the fuel system, exhaust modifications, and the emissions controls, which would need to be certified for that vehicle (meaning that at least a 97 motor and all its control circuits are brought in).

Doable, but as others have said, a big job.

On the other hand, if you are just looking for a capable off-road vehicle, you could eliminate a lot of the electronic stuff and just go with a mechanical engine swap.

After all of that, it would probably be easier to just sell the Chevy engine and find a suitable replacement engine for the Explorer. Especially if you have to ask what is involved in the first place...



And...

For all you die-hard Ford fanatics -- parts are parts. There is no more magic in a Ford part than in a Chevy part or vice-versa... They are all just designed to do a job. At the end of the day, there are tons of each running around doing various tasks in stock and modified condition. Mostly, it is driver and tuner capability that sets one apart from the other at the end of the day...

 

[UKExploder]

If you want to make a real All-Ford alternative , skip the Chevy 350 & go for droppin' in a 351W & a c-6.
WTF would you want a 350 CHEVY drivetrain in your FORD Explorer for anyway?......like Jimbo 74......said you'd need to be rich enuff to pay a major fabrication specialist to be able to do it, cause if you need to ask you don't know what you would be getting into

 

[RubySlow]

Just put in a motor out of an explorer or rebuild your old one, save yourself the headache... Just because the 350 setup might be cheap its gonna cost alot of time and money

 

[ohiocowboy]

I would buy the chevy (whole truck cheap) cheap and take it where all chevys belong, the crusher.

 

[CDW6212R]

...For all you die-hard Ford fanatics -- parts are parts. There is no more magic in a Ford part than in a Chevy part or vice-versa... They are all just designed to do a job. At the end of the day, there are tons of each running around doing various tasks in stock and modified condition. Mostly, it is driver and tuner capability that sets one apart from the other at the end of the day...

This is all good and applies to every single thing in a vehicle except for one, and that is the engine. The engine of any vehicle is its heart, and it should never be anything except from the OE maker. There are few exceptions, like the odd Jaguar engine, or Mercedes, Cosworth, etc, like the Yamaha in the Taurus. Other than a very select specialty vehicle, do not suggest any non Ford engine for a Ford.


I will be happy to help with any other part or issue for any vehicle, but I have experienced a lifetime of stupid attitudes from Chevy lovers. My fairness has been abused by them countless times, if you want help to do that, ask all of those ignorant Chevy people who ridicule Fords. Good luck,

 

[redranger4.0]

I say go for it, I plan on swaping my 4.0 out for a LT1 chevy motor. I dont get why everyone thinks its a war against Chevy for some reason. Parts are parts. its like axles, Dana makes axles for everyone, just cause it comes in a chevy doenst make it any different then a ford or jeep dana axle. Grow up people.

 

[redranger4.0]

This is all good and applies to every single thing in a vehicle except for one, and that is the engine. The engine of any vehicle is its heart, and it should never be anything except from the OE maker. There are few exceptions, like the odd Jaguar engine, or Mercedes, Cosworth, etc, like the Yamaha in the Taurus. Other than a very select specialty vehicle, do not suggest any non Ford engine for a Ford.


I will be happy to help with any other part or issue for any vehicle, but I have experienced a lifetime of stupid attitudes from Chevy lovers. My fairness has been abused by them countless times, if you want help to do that, ask all of those ignorant Chevy people who ridicule Fords. Good luck,

So what does chevy owners have to with chevy parts? Thats a stupid comparison.

 

[CDW6212R]

I am not prejudiced, but I have and still do put up with Chevy guys and their prejudice of Ford, on a regular basis. If you talk about cars with people in general, in various places, you will always be confronted by stupid Chevy people who ridicule Fords.

That prejudice by so many Chevy people deserves some punishment, some response which they deserve. I will not forgive them, the millions of them, and their ignorant treatment of Fords. If it was not a huge deal, it wouldn't be a big deal. But it is a big deal because of the massive amount of prejudice which we Ford owners endure. Until they all beg for forgiveness etc, no forgiveness is due. Clearly there are so many stupid Chevy owners who ridicule Fords, that there absolutely will never be any apology had from them.

So, like I said, don't ask me to play nice with the idea of a (expletive)Chevy engine in any Ford, or any other non GM vehicle.

I will not look into this thread again, there is no need to respond to me again here. I have said my peace honestly, without offending anyone or being abusive. I simply have no respect for Chevy lovers who insult Fords. Regards,

 

[RubySlow]

What hasnt a 350 chevy been swapped into? To me Its the easy way out. I like to see someone take an old chevy fix it up paint wheels and chrome and put a ford motor in it, I doubt you will find many

 

[glfredrick]

I am not prejudiced, but I have and still do put up with Chevy guys and their prejudice of Ford, on a regular basis. If you talk about cars with people in general, in various places, you will always be confronted by stupid Chevy people who ridicule Fords.

That prejudice by so many Chevy people deserves some punishment, some response which they deserve. I will not forgive them, the millions of them, and their ignorant treatment of Fords. If it was not a huge deal, it wouldn't be a big deal. But it is a big deal because of the massive amount of prejudice which we Ford owners endure. Until they all beg for forgiveness etc, no forgiveness is due. Clearly there are so many stupid Chevy owners who ridicule Fords, that there absolutely will never be any apology had from them.

So, like I said, don't ask me to play nice with the idea of a (expletive)Chevy engine in any Ford, or any other non GM vehicle.

I will not look into this thread again, there is no need to respond to me again here. I have said my peace honestly, without offending anyone or being abusive. I simply have no respect for Chevy lovers who insult Fords. Regards,

Kid stuff... :thumbdwn:

Right in line with a 3/4 race cam and a turbo-thrust motor.

Are you not currently insulting Chevy owners?

Truth is a lot of guys make Chevys run and a lot of guys make Fords run. Some make Chryslers run, some Toyotas, some Nissans, some Hondas, others, something else entirely...

Horsepower and torque are numbers, not manufacturers. At the end of the day, traction, weight, and driver skill trump manufacturer.



The reason there are "millions" of Chevy owners that harras Ford owners is due to the simple fact that Chevy built the world's most successful engine -- the small block Chevy. It is efficient, easy and inexpensive to build, fits into virtually anything, and it works. So do a lot of Ford engines, but for whatever reason, Ford never standardized anything, and the end result of all that is though their engines can run if properly built, they'll cost you double what it takes to put together a decent Chevy motor.

This isn't hate talk -- just facts. I've built numerous examples of both Chevy and Ford -- small block and big block. They all ran, took care of business, and were fun to play with.

I'm currently restifying a 1968 Mustang with a 289. I've also built 7 Chevelles, a number of other Chevy trucks, plus my 390 Ford F150, my 302 w/351 heads Ford van, etc., etc., etc. Right now I wheel Ford products -- mainly to tick off Jeep owners, who are almost as obnoxious as some of the vociferous voices here on EF, but I tow them with a Chevy Trailblazer, cause I can't tow something Explorer-sized with Ford stuff unless I get into an Expedition or Super Duty something...

 

[Crazy Al 91]

I say go for it, I plan on swaping my 4.0 out for a LT1 chevy motor. I dont get why everyone thinks its a war against Chevy for some reason. Parts are parts. its like axles, Dana makes axles for everyone, just cause it comes in a chevy doenst make it any different then a ford or jeep dana axle. Grow up people.

its because we're on a ford forum. everyone is going to bash chevy. to everyone else, thank you for you input. it was quite helpful. as a matter of fact, im not paying anyone, some of us have friends who are knowledgable in the area of cars. to the people who answered my question, thank you for describing the fab work that would need to be done. that was what i was really looking for. (i guess i should have specified that). i'll prolly post again with more questions, cause im prolly gonna do it.

 

[redranger4.0]

I am not prejudiced, but I have and still do put up with Chevy guys and their prejudice of Ford, on a regular basis. If you talk about cars with people in general, in various places, you will always be confronted by stupid Chevy people who ridicule Fords.

That prejudice by so many Chevy people deserves some punishment, some response which they deserve. I will not forgive them, the millions of them, and their ignorant treatment of Fords. If it was not a huge deal, it wouldn't be a big deal. But it is a big deal because of the massive amount of prejudice which we Ford owners endure. Until they all beg for forgiveness etc, no forgiveness is due. Clearly there are so many stupid Chevy owners who ridicule Fords, that there absolutely will never be any apology had from them.

So, like I said, don't ask me to play nice with the idea of a (expletive)Chevy engine in any Ford, or any other non GM vehicle.

I will not look into this thread again, there is no need to respond to me again here. I have said my peace honestly, without offending anyone or being abusive. I simply have no respect for Chevy lovers who insult Fords. Regards,

So your saying you wont use a specific part cause someone made fun of you? Wow, better not make fun of an explorer this guy will sell his....

 

[RubySlow]

So your saying you wont use a specific part cause someone made fun of you? Wow, better not make fun of an explorer this guy will sell his....

No, what he is saying is that people have stero-types twards Fords and he just giving some payback.. and I agree with him.. You should keep the engine true to the vehicle... except in certain circumstances... I hate seeing 350, 454 in all the classic fords.. Well if chevy made better looking cars I guess we'd see more 32 chopped channeled etc...cars. If your gonna spend 10-20k on paint why are you gonna skimp a few thou for a motor. Ford Chrysler Chevy motors can pull the same numbers but one is cheaper and one is morer expensive, We all know how that order goes... thats why there are so many chevy engines in fords... I hate seeing a car that has over 100k in and the guy saved some thousands on a dime a dozen 350.

 

[RubySlow]

its because we're on a ford forum. everyone is going to bash chevy. to everyone else, thank you for you input. it was quite helpful. as a matter of fact, im not paying anyone, some of us have friends who are knowledgable in the area of cars. to the people who answered my question, thank you for describing the fab work that would need to be done. that was what i was really looking for. (i guess i should have specified that). i'll prolly post again with more questions, cause im prolly gonna do it.

Please go ahead and Build this dont let anyone stop you

 

[Turdle]

I kind of agree with Don-
As a person who has devoted quite a bit of time into learning how a Ford engine can make power-it is disheartening to see yet another ford go the easy route.
This is a FORD EXPLORER site-I wouldn't expect this project to get a huge round of applause--

BTW
Did anyone see the Camaro with a Ford engine on PINKS?