1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[SuperGordo]

Well... ARP actually emailed me back today. The person stated that currently they do not offer kits with the studded bolts like the 5.0 EXs come with. However he did say to let him know what size bolts I need to complete the kit and they would send them to me free of charge.
Well it is a positive response.

 

[allmyEXes]

Gordon, That's a step forward in the recognition of the Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0's growing popularity. For decades, the Fox body 5.0 (OBD1) was sought after for R&R swaps and for other resto Ford swap projects. Now I think that the Explorer 5.0 has become the 5.0 to find.
I'm working on developing something specifically for the 1999-2001 Ex/MM 5.0s that currently doesn't exist for those particular year of 5.0s.
I'll keep everyone updated and thanks for letting me step on your thread for a minute.
As Jamie @410Fortune knows, a lot of people here are 5.0 hungry on the Explorer forum. Keep up the good work!

 

[SuperGordo]

It's funny. I moved the explorer from my driveway into my side yard just now to prep for the engine swap. Despite it having two bad cylinders it started right up. Gotta give it to the old 5.0!

 

[410Fortune]

Keep the old one around, a good builder is getting harder to find
Looking forward to this!

 

[SuperGordo]

Keep the old one around, a good builder is getting harder to find
Looking forward to this!

Definitely hanging on to it. I have some ideas.

 

[SuperGordo]

Started tearing things down tonight. Pulled the radiator and condenser. Recovered the r134a. Removed the fan clutch, the AC compressor and the belt. I'll try for more tomorrow.

Was a long day today. My work for the day was working on a 1967 Camaro RS. I've been doing a 4 wheel disc brake conversion along with power brakes and power steering conversions. There is a whole bunch of other things that need to be done. I'm building a 700r4 for it. Have to install the engine, and much much more.

Anyway I spent 7 hours on the Camaro and came home and dug into the EX. One of the good things about the explorer is that considering all the work that has been done in the last 3.5 years I know every nut and bolt is willing to come off. Thankfully no unknown nuts, bolts or fasteners.

 

[allmyEXes]

@SuperGordo I haven't spent any time around any of the old Camaros. Did the 1967s come with ram assist like the 1965 to 1970 Mustangs?
Recently I used a Borgeson (integral box) kit on a 1970 Mustang with a 351 Cleveland stuffed in it. The company couldn't tell me if the stock exhaust manifold would clear the new box or not. I gambled and it did clear by 11/32". Almost tight. I had to make the hoses come up and over to clear the manifold. The kit used a Saginaw "P" pump. The feel of it was very good, especially compared to the old ram assist system that it replaced.
No more constantly chasing leaks from the old assist system. I think Chevrolet used the assist ram for a few years. I kind of remember someone
saying that the mid-fifties Corvettes had the same hydraulic ram on it.

 

[SuperGordo]

@SuperGordo I haven't spent any time around ant of the old Camaros. Did the 1967s come with ram assist like the 1965 to 1970 Mustangs?
Recently I used a Borgeson (integral box) kit on a 1970 Mustang with a 351 Cleveland stuffed in it. The company couldn't tell me if the stock exhaust manifold would clear the new box or not. I gambled and it did clear by 11/32". Almost tight. I had to make the hoses come up and over to clear the manifold. The kit used a Saginaw "P" pump. The feal of it was very good, especially compared to the old ram assist system that it replaced.
No more constantly chasing leaks from the old assist system. I think Chevrolet used the assist ram for a few years. I kind of remember someone
saying that the mid-fifties Corvettes had the same hydraulic ram on it.

The camaro I'm working on was manual steering from the factory. That said the gear box is a Saginaw unit. The new stuff is a power steering conversion that uses a Saginaw type setup. I'll try and snap some pictures.

 

[SuperGordo]

 

[SuperGordo]

Made a bit more progress today.

 

[CDW6212R]

Very good.

Did you already replace the large vacuum line that connects at the front of the intake? It goes from that steel outlet showing above, forward and down to the emissions solenoid below the battery. I suggest everyone replace that, at 25+ years old when it finally leaks vacuum, it's a big leak. I had that issue last Fall with my white 98, I discovered it after replacing many other items. It was soft and dry rotted along the side, visible from the left wheel well while doing the spark plugs. I used common EFI fuel line to replace it, saving the two plastic end connectors(barbed ends). Buy EFI line in bulk anywhere but a parts store, that's super high locally that way.

 

[SuperGordo]

Very good.

Did you already replace the large vacuum line that connects at the front of the intake? It goes from that steel outlet showing above, forward and down to the emissions solenoid below the battery. I suggest everyone replace that, at 25+ years old when it finally leaks vacuum, it's a big leak. I had that issue last Fall with my white 98, I discovered it after replacing many other items. It was soft and dry rotted along the side, visible from the left wheel well while doing the spark plugs. I used common EFI fuel line to replace it, saving the two plastic end connectors(barbed ends). Buy EFI line in bulk anywhere but a parts store, that's super high locally that way.

I did it in 2021 when I first cleaned it up. I'll give it a look while I'm in there!

 

[SuperGordo]

Gave the new engine a coat of Ford Corporate blue today. I like it!

 

[CDW6212R]

Very nice. That's the old right shade of classic blue color.

 

[SuperGordo]

Very nice. That's the old right shade of classic blue color.

I'm also building a 460 for my old station wagon. But it's coming behind this explorer. I can't wait to paint that one this same color.

 

[CDW6212R]

Yes, I'm also ready to to get to building an older Ford engine. I miss those simple engine bays. I've got a complete Ranchero with a mediocre Cleveland build, I want to refresh that with a much better intake, headers, and a custom roller cam. Those should never be built for stock rpm shift points, that's embarrassing.

 

[SuperGordo]

 

[SuperGordo]

Got the intake on the motor.

 

[SuperGordo]

Well I’ve been busy with work lately. But ive been enjoying looking at the painted engine. Then I realized the accessory brackets looked awful. So after some hemming and hawing. I took them to the machine shop and let them get a soak in the hot tank. Got all the grease off. Then i wire wheeled them a bit and gave a coat of aluminum finish paint. Its not perfect or restoration quality. But its nicer than they were!

 

[CDW6212R]

Very nice. You cheated and used a power tool, the wire wheel etc. I spent an hour or more by hand with a file on mine, before powder coating.

BTW, do you think that aluminum can be welded on easily? I have thoughts of altering the bottom of the one with the idler. I want a better idler there, and to hopefully also mount a vacuum pump at the bottom in place of the idler pulley.