1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[SuperGordo]

Started to get some clattering. Sounds like the lifters. Going to pull the oil pan Sunday and inspect everything. Would be a bummer if the new oil pump went bad in 18 months.

 

[SuperGordo]

I started this job today. Somewhat funny and ironic that I had to go back and read this thread and look at the pictures I posted to remember most of what I have done.
I hope to have everything done by the end of the day tomorrow.
Though I did find today that one of the vertical bolts that holds the motor mount bracket to the engine block has broken. So that should be fun to remove. I suspect that is a by product of the bad balancer from a couple months ago. In the morning I will be putting an oil pressure guage into the block to see what the pressures are while it runs before I drain the oil. I want to know if it has stable oil pressure.
When I got to the EX today I moved it about 75 feet and shut it off, The upper radiator hose was really firm. When I popped the radiator cap off coolant sprayed a little bit. And the EX wasn't hot from running. I replaced the thermostat when I replaced the intake gaskets. So there are a few questions to be answered here. We will see how it goes tomorrow.

 

[410Fortune]

Any bubbles in the overflow when running?

 

[SuperGordo]

Any bubbles in the overflow when running?

I did not see any bubbles at all. I let it run with the radiator cap off for several minutes.

 

[SuperGordo]

Definitely have crank bearing problems. I'll update soon. Too much to get done right now.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Dang, that’s super unfortunate.

 

[DintDobbs]

@SuperGordo Well, that's always fun... Had to come up late in the project, too.

 

[SuperGordo]

@SuperGordo Well, that's always fun... Had to come up late in the project, too.

Well considering how much has been done to the car in less than 2 years We aren't going to cut and run. I'm going to roll new main and rod bearings into it and see how it does. Then go find a used engine I can drop in. There rest of it is doing really well.

 

[CDW6212R]

That hurts to hear if it's the bottom end really. If the bearings are hurt, it should be from prior owners and poor oil /filter maintenance. If the cylinders aren't worn too big also, then bearings should fix the short block. I'd also expect the heads to need rebuilding, the same cause would ruin the valve and guides, seals, and maybe the seats. Alex Parts has good replacement VS kits, they were up around $150 last time I looked. I'm planning to have my 98 heads rebuilt next year with them.

 

[SuperGordo]

I got all the bearings in today. Still have to do all the rest of the things that had to be undone to get to the oil pan. I did the valve seals when I started the project. But we will see what happens when I start it back up. I found a junkyard not too far from me that has a good running engine for $550. Probably going to go get that one asap and prep it for a swap. Unfortunately this problem presented itself as an emergency. Hopefully if I have to replace the engine I can do that with thoughtful planning and not an emergency.

Question to all. Who has installed an aftermarket Oil pressure guage? How did you go about it?
I'm going to install an inexpensive guage. I guess I'll get a brass T or elbow of some sort to have a place to put the fitting for the oil pressure line.

 

[410Fortune]

They make this tee for 5.0

Scott Drake C2OZ-9B339-DP Scott Drake Oil Pressure Sending Extensions | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Scott Drake Oil Pressure Sending Extensions with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Fittings and Adapters at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[SuperGordo]

Very Nice! Thanks! Our EX has the oil cooler heat exchanger. Wonder if that will clear it??

 

[donalds]

I used a brass T on my 4.0

 

[Lee's Automotive]

View attachment 440350 View attachment 440351 View attachment 440352

Those are nice bro

 

[Lee's Automotive]

Definitely have crank bearing problems. I'll update soon. Too much to get done right now.

Dang bro that sucks I hope there isn't any crank damage

 

[SuperGordo]

I used a brass T on my 4.0

I Think I'll probably go the brass T route. Because I Have to get this off the lift asap. Would take till sometime this coming week to get the Scott Drake piece.

 

[SuperGordo]

Dang bro that sucks I hope there isn't any crank damage

The bearings were in bad shape. However they were all pretty much the same thickness. I measured everything with the calipers. The crank wasn't horrible, but not perfect. But nowhere was the crank ground on from a complete bearing failure. We will see how it goes.

 

[Lee's Automotive]

The bearings were in bad shape. However they were all pretty much the same thickness. I measured everything with the calipers. The crank wasn't horrible, but not perfect. But nowhere was the crank ground on from a complete bearing failure. We will see how it goes.

Could it be caused by a weak oil pump?

 

[SuperGordo]

Could it be caused by a weak oil pump?

Well I replaced the pump when I started this project. But you know how new parts go. So It could have been the cause. I took an oil pressure reading with my external guage. Pressure was between 20-25 cold. And wouldn't go higher when I revved up the engine. Not good.
A few weeks ago the oil pressure guage on the dash started moving up and down really fast. So fast you couldn't read it. Then I shut the engine down and the pointer went counter clockwise and stuck itself on the small pin the needle parks onto when the car is off. Except it is on the opposite side of where it would normally rest. The ticking noises started about a week after that. So all in all I think something had to have happened to the pump. Still hard to say.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The pressure might come up a bit with new bearings?