1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[Mbrooks420]

Damn. I have no doubt you’ll get it right, but that’s some terrible luck.

 

[410Fortune]

so new crank bearings and oil pump and still low pressure dang!!!
Any sludge in the top end (under valve covers)

engine must be worn out or oil is not able to drain back, only two ways you lose oil pressure now

 

[Turdle]

Gasket between pump and pickup good? Is the pickup clogged? Could a chunk of debris worked it's way into the timing cover , blocking the sensor tube?

 

[SuperGordo]

I cleaned the pickup tube. New pump, new gasket. Job number one is to get her back on the road. So I plan on picking a used engine to put in. I’d love to rebuild if. But i don’t think the schedule will allow that.

 

[SuperGordo]

I cleaned the pickup tube. New pump, new gasket. Job number one is to get her back on the road. So I plan on picking a used engine to put in. I’d love to rebuild if. But i don’tthink the schedule will allow that.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yeah, machine work costs have gone way up like everything else. The tough part used to be waiting since they were always backed up. Hopefully where you are, your shops are not that far behind.

 

[SuperGordo]

Yeah, machine work costs have gone way up like everything else. The tough part used to be waiting since they were always backed up. Hopefully where you are, your shops are not that far behind.

My oldest son just sent an 85 5.0 block in for machining. Bored cylinders .030 over, hot tank. Deck the head surface. Think that was all about 600-700. Took 2 weeks. My younger son did a 4.6 Ford last summer, same shop had the block and heads 7 weeks. But the 5.0 is getting AFR heads and a stroker kit, so we didn't have to do the crank or heads. The 4.6 we did everything and it was about $1500.

 

[CDW6212R]

That's similar to what I've heard of here, maybe just a little higher. My last engine build was about 2003 and it cost about $300 for the short block work, minus balancing. Most shops here back then sent cranks off for work, plus the balance job. I also built my last two with heads that were ready before the build.

I still plan to build two Cleveland's, one with OEM 4V heads that I don't know or trust the prior work. So I hope to have Woody build my other big project engine(a 337 SBF), I don't have any other big plans left.

 

[SuperGordo]

I have a 460 I need to assemble for my 1978 Country Squire wagon. I had the machine work for that done in 2013. Bored .030 over. Turned crank .010/.010, new pistons, recon the rods, arp rod bolts, install cam bearings and freeze plugs. That was all about $1000.

 

[CDW6212R]

That's the world we have now, expensive like never before. I loved building the few engines I have, the build itself is still great if you have the time and skills. I just received a set of Hooker headers for my 351C 4V, I was impressed with the general quality of the bends, merge point, and flanges. For a lower cost $300 set, they will be great for a general build. The three bolt flanges have to go, I want V-band flanges, and it looks like an easy weld job if I can also find the pinched collector sections to add too. If these turn out as well as I hope, and they fit the car(Ranchero), I'll make another set. I have a local place that does coatings, I'm betting they are $300 or more for that. Fun hobby we have, any car stuff is worth the effort.

 

[SuperGordo]

That's the world we have now, expensive like never before. I loved building the few engines I have, the build itself is still great if you have the time and skills. I just received a set of Hooker headers for my 351C 4V, I was impressed with the general quality of the bends, merge point, and flanges. For a lower cost $300 set, they will be great for a general build. The three bolt flanges have to go, I want V-band flanges, and it looks like an easy weld job if I can also find the pinched collector sections to add too. If these turn out as well as I hope, and they fit the car(Ranchero), I'll make another set. I have a local place that does coatings, I'm betting they are $300 or more for that. Fun hobby we have, any car stuff is worth the effort.

The V band clamps are a great idea. Both of my sons have Tbirds one is 1995 the other 1997. We put headers in both cars. Had the flanges cut off and V bands welded on. Makes things so much simpler and cleaner.

 

[SuperGordo]

Hi everyone. I'd like some input from anyone who can contribute. I'm searching for a used 5.0 engine for the EX. The build date is 08/97. When I go on Car-part.com They have 3 choices. "thru 1/22/98", "from 8/10/98", and "1/23/98 thru 8/9/98". Now the obvious answer is to go with "Thru 1/22/98". But it makes sense to me to get the lowest possible mileage for the lowest price that I can get. Considering I can reuse the exhaust manifolds and all the accessories, etc from the original motor my question is as follows. Is there any reason I can't use any 1998 Explorer 5.0 to revive my project? Thanks in advance!

 

[410Fortune]

No In fact I would want to use the latest 5.0 I could get 99-01
Are very good
There are two major differences really the 96-97 5.0 used gt40 heads and internal egr, the 98-01 had p heads with external egr
Your late 97 likely already has p heads with external egr
The 98-01 had far better cast exhaust manifolds
You will want to use your fuel rail and injectors, your intakes… otherwise I would be looking for lowest miles on any 98-01 engine
Depending on your budget you may also consider a remanufactured long block

 

[SuperGordo]

Reman is out of the budget. Looks like I can get a good used motor for 400-600. Gonna have to go with that.

As well it definitely has the external EGR.

 

[SuperGordo]

No In fact I would want to use the latest 5.0 I could get 99-01
Are very good
There are two major differences really the 96-97 5.0 used gt40 heads and internal egr, the 98-01 had p heads with external egr
Your late 97 likely already has p heads with external egr
The 98-01 had far better cast exhaust manifolds
You will want to use your fuel rail and injectors, your intakes… otherwise I would be looking for lowest miles on any 98-01 engine
Depending on your budget you may also consider a remanufactured long block

Thanks for the advice for using the newer engine. I forgot that they used the 5.0 thru 2001.

 

[CDW6212R]

Jamie is right, any Explorer 302 can work given your original engine parts you can reuse.

For another choice, you might also expand to hunt any low mileage 302 HO engine. Those from a Mustang are very prone to prior abuse, high rpm caused smoking. But the 302 HO's from all Mark VII's were AOD only, low shifting(4500rpm max), and have the identical stock forged pistons, (same compression of the short block). Those from a Thunderbird or Cougar could be good choices too, but those are also very rare.

I have my low mileage 302 HO(54k miles) 92 Mark VII to use for my Explorer project. I'll swap the short block and rebuild the old 98 heads, to get a solid starting base to begin my project next year.

 

[ThunderbirdSport]

Those from a Thunderbird or Cougar could be good choices too, but those are also very rare.

I'd probably skip the Tbird/Cougar 5.0 from the Fox chassis versions as those were the "standard output" versions with E6 heads, and flat top pistons that won't work with even an HO cam, let alone something with higher lift.

Now the '91 up Tbird/Cougar 5.0s ARE the HO versions and would work.

Curious as to how well an HO cam would do in an Explorer...


OP, i just read through all of this thread and it's got me itchin' to throw my 98 back out on the road. She wants her gas tank back in (fuel pump died) and has a rusted brake line, but otherwise is good to go.

My '06 is starting to get a little tired in the timing chain department, so it may be time to put it up for a bit and run with "old school" Ford V8 power...

(the 06 is a 4.6...)

Enjoy the thread...bummer the engine is bad after all this. If I were closer, I have a complete 5.0 from a rolled Mountaineer...was gonna use it to V8 swap a '97 Explorer 4.0, but....just don't have the motivation to start on it..

 

[SuperGordo]

Engine is a bummer, but we will get it fixed. Think I have a nice 99 engine lined up. I'll know tomorrow.

When I was under it trying to see if I could save the current engine. All the rest of the work that was done looks great. And the interior is pretty nice, and she has kept it clean. So I can't see moving on. I'll warm over a used engine with some seals, gaskets and an oil pump. Then I'll set the original aside for a future rebuild. It will all work out in the end.

 

[SuperGordo]

Found a 1999 Engine in San Diego with 115k on it. Was able to buy it for $225. Happy about that. Have to go pick it up next week.

 

[dudemancool1904]

Found a 1999 Engine in San Diego with 115k on it. Was able to buy it for $225. Happy about that. Have to go pick it up next week.

nice! pay for my gas and i'll deliver it lol!