1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[410Fortune]

Re seal the oil pressure sensor and dipstick to block those are two very common oil leak spots, easier to do now, permatex is your friend. While the engine mounts typically hold up well the stock transmission mount does not, might consider one of those too

Otherwise it looks great! Good show

 

[SuperGordo]

Re seal the oil pressure sensor and dipstick to block those are two very common oil leak spots, easier to do now, permatex is your friend. While the engine mounts typically hold up well the stock transmission mount does not, might consider one of those too

Otherwise it looks great! Good show

Thanks. I have a new oil sending unit to go in today. I have the trans mount on my stack of parts ready to go. I'll hit the dipstick tube fore sure, great suggestion! Thanks!

 

[sandsprayer]

Seeing a parallel here! I love it!

 

[SuperGordo]

Seeing a parallel here! I love it!

Um...I don't know what you are talking about....

 

[sandsprayer]

and then? referring to what you are going to do next!

 

[CDW6212R]

The plugs are tough to reach, but not bad with the rubber inner fender aprons removed. I'd clean it up good down around the pan, cross member and diff(if it's AWD). The suspension is straight forward with it all together, only the left UCA mounting bolts are a pain the first time. With so much off and/or up, you might be able to get those left upper bolts easier right now. The large fuel emissions/vapor line is too close to one of those bolts, sometimes you need to loosen the line mounts briefly.

 

[CDW6212R]

The oil filter block adapter also, replace those two large o-rings. Settle on the style of that filter adapter also. There are two factory choices, with or without an oil cooler(it's built into one of them). I like an oil cooler, but some people think those OEM coolers leak internally more often than they should. Those cannot be changed with the engine down and everything in place, the rack is too close really to get that one bolt in and out.

FYI, there is/was an FMS oil filter adapter M-6880-A50 that was about $90, but I couldn't find now it to post a link. I'm fairly sure will work there also, if the in block fitting(metric/standard) is changed. The FMS unit is for an FL-1A filter, it turns the filter about the same angle as the OEM one, and rotates to any position. I'd like that, I have one but as said, changing that block adapter with everything in place is hell.

 

[SuperGordo]

and then? referring to what you are going to do next!

I was kidding. I got the joke... I was just deflecting my guilty conscience here

 

[SuperGordo]

The oil filter block adapter also, replace those two large o-rings. Settle on the style of that filter adapter also. There are two factory choices, with or without an oil cooler(it's built into one of them). I like an oil cooler, but some people think those OEM coolers leak internally more often than they should. Those cannot be changed with the engine down and everything in place, the rack is too close really to get that one bolt in and out.

FYI, there is/was an FMS oil filter adapter M-6880-A50 that was about $90, but I couldn't find now it to post a link. I'm fairly sure will work there also, if the in block fitting(metric/standard) is changed. The FMS unit is for an FL-1A filter, it turns the filter about the same angle as the OEM one, and rotates to any position. I'd like that, I have one but as said, changing that block adapter with everything in place is hell.

This truck does have the oil cooler from the factory. Working on finding some replacement O rings for that thing. No signs of internal leakage at this time.

 

[sandsprayer]

I was kidding. I got the joke... I was just deflecting my guilty conscience here

you got me! I see it now- gonna have to keep an eye on you

 

[CDW6212R]

This truck does have the oil cooler from the factory. Working on finding some replacement O rings for that thing. No signs of internal leakage at this time.

Those can be found, but it's much easier with the two part numbers. I got those many years ago from my Ford parts guy, Ford didn't have any and one then was obsolete. But with the numbers, I found both the same day, from eBay or Amazon, not from Ford. Others have found them that way also, and the part numbers should be posted on the forum somewhere.

 

[SuperGordo]

Got some more done today. No pics right now. I changed the passenger side ball joint and control arm bushings. Re sealed and installed the oil cooler assembly. New outer tie rods. Reinstalled the power steering hoses to the rack. Installed spark plugs, My buddy loomed all the plug wires together really nice. Those are on the plugs now, but waiting for the coils to go back on. Was going to put the motor back on the frame and found out that the left motor mount was actually a right side in a left box. So that stopped my progress. So I'm waiting till Monday on the left mount. I was going to reuse the original mounts but closer inspection revealed age cracking, so I decided to swap them out. But more goofy part problems are holding me up till Monday. Heck, we even had 4 used spark plugs in brand new Motorcraft boxes today too. What's a guy to do? Wait it out I guess. Hopefully the correct mount shows up Monday and maybe I can start this up again before Thanksgiving. That would be cool!

 

[SuperGordo]

The good news is that my stack of parts is getting much smaller.

 

[EB4X]

How many days (hours?) before our new buddy Gordo here, upon seeing the finish line, continued progress, snaps and gets this mindset:
Daughter: Dad, is my Explorer ready...?
Gordo:

Sorry, couldn't help myself

 

[SuperGordo]

How many days (hours?) before our new buddy Gordo here, upon seeing the finish line, continued progress, snaps and gets this mindset:
Daughter: Dad, is my Explorer ready...?
Gordo:

View attachment 423667

Sorry, couldn't help myself

About 3.5 min....

 

[SuperGordo]

Here are a couple pics of the rebuilt control arm and the old ball joint.

 

[sandsprayer]

View attachment 423677Here is a couple pics of the passenger side control arm. I opted to rebuild the original style. View attachment 423678

That's as worn of one that I've ever seen in 1 piece

 

[SuperGordo]

That's as worn of one that I've ever seen in 1 piece

Yeah it was bad. The bushings were non existant as well.

 

[SuperGordo]

Well tomorrow will be quiet, but I ordered a new belt tensioner and idler pullies today for Monday. I have an AC compressor kit and a condenser waiting. Everything else I think I already have in the EX. So hopefully Monday will be good. As long as the Left motor mount arrives. Then I can set the motor back down on the frame. Reinstall the big accessory brackets. Do the belt and pullies, radiator, and AC system. Then the plenum and associated parts can go on. Then it can be started. I still have the AC box off the firewall. But I figure I can start the engine again before I finish the AC system.

 

[SuperGordo]

Just for fun, Here is a video of the first start up after I bought it. It didn't run when i got the EX. This was just after i replaced the PATS module and rekeyed it. This is before any of the work I've been posting in the last two weeks.