1992 explorer gets a solid axle and v8 5 speed

[410Fortune]

Depth check
Not nearly as deep mounting surface as the stockers

Making sure each on is pressed fully

Then you have to go through and seat all the springs
Make sure they are pushed all the way on to the back lip

Like this

The magic pliers are used to seat the springs. I love having the right tool for the job

All 16 on this side done

Time for new springs, spring cups and retainers

I have been asked “how do you install springs with the heads on?” Well Scott… carefully my friend!

With the spring compressor setup perfectly (had to do some bending of the tangs to get the angle just right) the spring and cup will actually collapse around the valve stem… so the valve just floats. All that is required iSight pressure from a screwdriver through the spark plug hole to keep the stem up tall enough so the retainers can be placed with a small magnet

 

[97Sandbox]

Once I got a set of those hose-grip pliers, I never looked back. I use them for all kinds of things!

 

[Turdle]

Valve train time
Mew parts ready to go in

So, it's revealed

The cat does the typing

 

[410Fortune]

Comp cam springs cups and retainers

I cheated, I have large forcepts
As long as the spring is compressed around d the valve stem it has no desire to move
The screwdriver ensures it does not

My lap during all of this.
This is a one man show camera pics included.

In the future I will work on a way to add compressed air to the combustion chamber. That would hold the valves closed better then my screwdriver method lol

 

[410Fortune]

Lifter time, finally!
Oem parts reman in house

One of the lifter dog bones somehow missed the parts washer

This is a good before and after of how e sonic cleaner helps me out

15 minutes later it was as clean as the others

Next up

Basket washed w carb cleaner right out of the sonic box. I’m using water and purple power so good to be rinsed

Then into a clean oil bath
Each part was wiped and blown off w air each pushrod blown out

 

[410Fortune]

Pushrods rocker arms pedestals trays and bolts all installed
Torqued to 24 ft lbs

Lower intake gasket surfaces prepped wiped w alcohol

Permatex in the corners under and in top of gaskets

Enginetech gasket set seems to be a good fit!

Silicon was given time to setup then the LIM dropped on

All sealed up! Starting to look like a proper power plant

 

[jmedina]

Here she is! My next victim

This sweet, well used, and well setup family rig has come to my shop to get some upgrades

The plan is simple
Delete the ttb and install a high pinion Dana 44 solid axle
V8 power plant with m5od-r2 manual, 4406
Manual transfer case

Rebuild and upgrade the 8.8 rear axle

Dual arb lockers
Lots of new along the way

So join me as I dismantle the existing and build up the new

Parts have been coming in for a while
Truck has been in my possession since last October?
Scored a eb d44 from a friend of mine that was slated for another build that never happened

Here we go, tomorrow is day one
Inventory parts, clean and then drain fluids
Start dismantle

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Wow! teach me to do it to my 2000 explorer elite! i want to lift it...! i already put rear shackles and adjust the tension bar... just 2 inch...