1992 explorer gets a solid axle and v8 5 speed

[410Fortune]

Gates water pump

I was able to source water pump / timing cover bolts from another engine in the shop. This is a great way to store 5.0 waterpump
Bolts

Each bolt was cleaned with drill and wire wheel
New gasket sandwiched w permatex copper

Ford calls for thread sealant on the bolts that go through waterpump, through the timing cover and into the engines water jacket. Many 5 oh dudes will also use silicon here… but i still do fords way with the thread sealant

Surfaces prepped scraped, wiped w alcohol prior to gasket install
Next the heads and head gaskets

 

[410Fortune]

Engine tech Head gaskets and new head bolts

Heads were wire brushed to remove loose dirt, then old gaskets scraped, then cleaned with air, then cleaned in parts washer, finally drip dried
Heads gasket surfaces final prepped with 3m rotary pads, wiped with alcohol, and then finally the gasket and head installed on its dowels

New felpro torque to yield bolts dipped in oil and installed finger tight

 

[410Fortune]

Continue the head install

Heads old gasket material scraped with razor blade
Then surfaces prepped with 3m roto tool
Blown off, wiped clean

Visit to the parts washer

New Enginetech gaskets

Good shot of gasket installed

 

[410Fortune]

Next side
Final torque

Always check Gasket orientation on block
Before grabbing head i like to have two bolts prepped. Oil on the threads and under the bolt head. Gasket set and ready

I have torque values posted on the wall because i do this often
Also the hilarious harbor freight 10mm missing set

First all 20
Bolts torqued to 30 ft lbs
I love this icon dial type torque wrench

Then to 45

Then finally to 55

And now switch to 1/2” drive and long bar, ready for the 90 degree final turn. This is what stretches the torque to yield bolts

Both heads on and final torqued
She was Ready for next round of parts
I found a good remanufacture of the oem cam synchronizers, I don’t trust the aftermarket parts much anymore so we are getting to the point where reman is better option

This is a 3 wire 96-97.5 style synchro and sensor

The valve springs still needed to be compressed so I can replace the valve stem seals, valve springs, cups and retainers with the new comp cam digs
I picked a new valve spring compressor that made this job sooooo much easier

 

[410Fortune]

Valvetrain time!
Had to make a fixture for the valve spring compressor
I also have been wanting one of these… got a new tool for the shop


I love this little box new lifters come in
These are the stock lifters from this engine
Been in storage

Traditionally I take all 16 apart one by one and inspect and clean them

It can take some time! There is the grime from one lifter cleaned w alcohol picks and q tips

Used this as an excuse to get a new tool

I cleaned one and said screw this I’m getting it. 6liter harbor freight sonic cleaner. Filled w 2/3purple power 1/3 water
Lifters are in pre wash now … I will take them all apart, clean them in this bad boy, and then assemble. Will save so much time
I clean enough small parts to put one of these to work. I even gave it a dedicated shelf

Two bolts were welded together to make a screw in fixture for new valve spring compressor … another major time saver



My dad always said two things:
“There is one way to do a job”
And
“Use the right tool for the job”

 

[410Fortune]

Ratrod at harbor freight

Oooh la la sbf

Dang need to rotate these pics

Back from pre rinse a 15 minute cycle look good! Made it easier to take them apart, loosened up all the sticky grime inside

Now to clean the individual parts and hollow cores in batches of 4, using a jar to contain the small bits

No way could I get them this clean without spending all day.. now the cleaning happens mostly while I work!

Little assembly line going on
4 Lifters being wiped down, assembled with clean oil while 4 more are in pieces and cooking in the sonic washer …next 4 being taken apart after pre rinse. In one hour +/- I had 16 clean and lubed fresh lifters

 

[sandsprayer]

351W?

LOL!
You and that damn tall deck Windsor