1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[SuperGordo]

Nice clean pieces.

 

[SuperGordo]

Does anyone know of a source for the correct timing cover bolts for the 5.0 explorers?

 

[donalds]

Arp sells a set
EBay has cheap sets

 

[CDW6212R]

There isn't really anything exactly like the original WP bolts. Your best bet is to carefully measure the lengths, and find what you can from grade 5 bolt sources. The bolts with threaded ends and nuts for hold downs, those you have to do without. I have bought 3-4 bolt sets that looked good in pictures, but none had the right sizes in them.

 

[SuperGordo]

There isn't really anything exactly like the original WP bolts. Your best bet is to carefully measure the lengths, and find what you can from grade 5 bolt sources. The bolts with threaded ends and nuts for hold downs, those you have to do without. I have bought 3-4 bolt sets that looked good in pictures, but none had the right sizes in them.

Thanks. I ran into that the first time i got this running. The water pump bolts that you can buy at AutoZone is a hodgepodge of odd length bolts and you wind up not using half of them. I was just hoping maybe one of you guys knew the secret source. My intent to basically have this motor all ready to go, so I can drop it in so when I pull the other one out, I can turn around and put it right back in the same day.

 

[SuperGordo]

I did find the ARP bolts that Donald mentioned they’re about 45 bucks a set, but obviously they don’t have any of the studded bolts that hold brackets and stuff.

 

[CDW6212R]

I have that ARP set too, I think maybe two of those bolts are close in length to the originals. I wrote down what they were when I did my WP, but I used as many of the old ones as I could. I replaced one from Home Depot, that one bolt was replaced before and was the wrong thread pitch(metric not SAE). The OEM are the very best for size and function, we really do need ARP to reproduce those. I'd buy four sets if they made them.

 

[SuperGordo]

I have that ARP set too, I think maybe two of those bolts are close in length to the originals. I wrote down what they were when I did my WP, but I used as many of the old ones as I could. I replaced one from Home Depot, that one bolt was replaced before and was the wrong thread pitch(metric not SAE). The OEM are the very best for size and function, we really do need ARP to reproduce those. I'd buy four sets if they made them.

No kidding.

 

[SuperGordo]

There isn't really anything exactly like the original WP bolts. Your best bet is to carefully measure the lengths, and find what you can from grade 5 bolt sources. The bolts with threaded ends and nuts for hold downs, those you have to do without. I have bought 3-4 bolt sets that looked good in pictures, but none had the right sizes in them.

Well for what it is worth I just sent a kit suggestion to ARP. Maybe they will read it and make all of us something we can use.
Here is to dreaming!

 

[SuperGordo]

Arp sells a set
EBay has cheap sets

Thanks for the suggestion. I wasn't thinking in that vein. I'm going to order an ARP set this week. So I can get this motor ready to drop in. If any of them are wrong I'll pick them off the other motor.
We need to get the EX on the road!!

 

[christopherjost]

The ARP kit didn't really have what I needed so replaced/recycled as best I could.

 

[allmyEXes]

@SuperGordo I used a really long carriage bolt purchased from Rural King to replace a studded bolt that broke. I screwed the nut on (or 2), threaded it all of the way in, then I cut off the leftover including the carriage bolt head.

 

[SuperGordo]

That seems like a reasonable idea.

 

[410Fortune]

Well dudes I am able to re create all of the factory water pump bolts just by going to the hardware store
A few of them require you to get a longer then you need bolt and cut it down to exact size
But it is possible

I will make a how to video next time I have to do this

 

[SuperGordo]

What I decided to do is reuse the ones from the motor that is in the EX currently. I was able to put together a nice set last year from the 2nd motor and the first. I was trying to get look for more to get the timing cover on. So what I did last night was measure the depth of the holes with the cover on. I bought some bolts to accomodate the depth without the water pump on. I installed the gasket with RTV using the temporary bolts to get things sealed up. Once I have the EX ready to pull the motor I'll swap the water pump and the timing cover bolts.

Now the question is do I paint all this black or Corporate blue??

 

[Josh P]

I like blue. Easier to spot an oil leak. I use Indian head gasket shellac on everything so it doesn't leak.

 

[CDW6212R]

I like blue. Easier to spot an oil leak. I use Indian head gasket shellac on everything so it doesn't leak.

I used to have that from over 40 years ago, I'm sure I finally threw it away. That did work, but it was hell to remove, I used it on my Cleveland water pump at least twice(the WP went three times, the 2nd and 3rd were AutoShack lifetime junk). I also had to do the starter at least three times, again a "lifetime warrantee" lesson.

SuperGordo, use Spray Tack if you have it, it's the easiest for the WP gasket. Also trim the gasket beforehand if you don't like it overhanging, it makes the painting tough too. Blue will hide the gasket too. I like black for high performance, grey for the OEM look, and the proper middle blue for a classic look. I hated the purple hue, some engine paint colors are not good.

 

[SuperGordo]

I got the oil pump pickup and oil pan installed today. Trying to gain momentum.

 

[410Fortune]

Indian gasket glue!
I love that stuff but man oh man I am with cdw it is really difficult to remove, and I mean really hard even with power tools

I used to slather it on valve covers and timing covers … I don’t anymore. I use the permatex copper gasket spray instead.

Blue or grey! So you can spot leaks. Black makes it tough to see leaks and dark background in the engine bay

 

[Josh P]

No doubt it sucks cleaning the stuff off the surfaces.