1998 Explorer 5.0 “Restoration2021” project

[Josh P]

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.

What kind of shaggin wagon you got? Are you going to do heads, stroker crank and a blower?

 

[SuperGordo]

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.

A good welder with a tig can weld aluminum easily.

 

[SuperGordo]

What kind of shaggin wagon you got? Are you going to do heads, stroker crank and a blower?

Its a 78 country squire. Wood paneling and all. Its a 460 bored .030 over. I bought an angry cam and have a 750 double pumper waiting for it. My son came home with two turbos for it a week ago! He’s kooky! But hey, why not???

 

[Josh P]

Its a 78 country squire. Wood paneling and all. Its a 460 bored .030 over. I bought an angry cam and have a 750 double pumper waiting for it. My son came home with two turbos for it a week ago! He’s kooky! But hey, why not???

Now you're speaking my language. Those old wagons were the best cars to make go fast. Nobody expects it, and at the track, the most consistent passes.

 

[410Fortune]

It’s cast, I don’t think you can weld cast aluminum
I wonder if the aftermarket has something for you? Some sort of sbf serpentine bracket Kit

Big block twin turbo wagon heck yes

 

[SuperGordo]

Got under the EX day before yesterday. Dropped the driveshaft. Drained the trans. Undid bolts for the trans crossmember.
Still moving forward. Just a lot of personal stuff going on over here.

 

[SuperGordo]

Well folks, 2025 has been a hell of a year. Much going on in my personal life keeping me from my projects. We pulled the engine tonight. Hope to get the new one in asap…
Hope you are all doing well.

 

[Turdle]

Good work!
Kinda scary how high that picker has to go to get it out .

 

[SuperGordo]

I installed the exhaust manifolds, dipstick tube and valve covers on the new engine yesterday. I trying to get the motor back in and on the mounts Sunday. Then I can at least make a little progress on the details daily after that.

 

[SuperGordo]

I had everything lined up to drop the engine/trans into the EX. Then for the first time in months in Las Vegas it rained with thunder and lightning. Same yesterday, same today. Sigh.
Just want the driveline on the mounts! Ahhh!

 

[SuperGordo]

Ok, my buddy and I threw caution to the wind and got the engine/trans in tonight. Dark clouds and raindrops be damned! Worked till 8pm. But the engine is sitting on the mounts. It was dark when we stopped. The trans is being held up with a floor jack. But at least now I can do a little everyday until she rides again.

Considering that this is a fresh rebuilt engine. Im trying to decide if im going to keep the external oil temp and coolant temp gauges. I never found a great mounting space for them.

 

[CDW6212R]

Good work and working with the weather. I wouldn't worry much about the temps unless you have special needs to have to watch it. These have excellent cooling systems, the coolant should never get high unless there's a serious failure. The fan clutch and fan may be most likely to get old and be trouble, but the heads too could with old age, so maybe a defective thermostat might be the biggest to worry over.

 

[SuperGordo]

Good work and working with the weather. I wouldn't worry much about the temps unless you have special needs to have to watch it. These have excellent cooling systems, the coolant should never get high unless there's a serious failure. The fan clutch and fan may be most likely to get old and be trouble, but the heads too could with old age, so maybe a defective thermostat might be the biggest to worry over.

That makes sense. Only reason i put the two gauges in was to see what was going on when the first engine started losing oil pressure.

 

[410Fortune]

there is a double oil port adapter and the coolant sensor can be put in the thermo housing
If you want to keep your aux gauges

https://a.co/d/iqWexH6

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-8592K/mustang-180-thermostat-kit-79-95