302 Conversion, Part II 94 XLT

[Gofast]

Part II of the Saga.....

After many delays and no progress other than pulling my V6 and tranny. I have decided that the job is best done by a professional. Since I don't have enough money for one of those....I'm doing it all myself!

Step 1, Is the retrieval of my stuff from the "Speed Shop".
The guy had good intentions just no follow through. I was paitent when it took 3 weeks to get the motor pulled. I was very calm when he told me the sterio was stolen while it was parked in his shop. I was concerned when he kept stalling on installing the gears.

Today he called and said he couldn't install the gears because he couldn't afford to buy the parts. ( You usually pay after the job is done ) Could I pay in advance?

It also looks like he has to be out of this shop soon...Hmmm... ( Going out of business? )

I decided to pull my stuff out of there tomorrow. I'm going to make some calls and see if I can rent space at a friends shop ( Place where we welded up Sinjin's Bumpers ) If that falls through I'll try to borrow some small tires and get the truck in my garage to work on it there. We shall see!

Also, looks like I'm buying a trailer tomorrow. I have to many places I need to pull it just to get it running now, so the wife said " Just buy one " ( Selling a 5X8 if anyone needs it )

Wish me luck, and yes there will be pictures now!

 

[Oknut]

Man that's nuts, it took the guy 3 weeks to pull the motor ? it's a peice of cake to pull a motor. I pulled my motor last saturday and it took my friend and I under an hour. The same day we mounted the new motor and did a bunch of other stuff.

I wish you all the best of luck.

 

[Chris A Johnson]

A thief?

Suffice it to say, we can see the motive of the stolen stereo. Heck, I am suprised you didn't accuse him of stealing it. When you get your stuff, that would be a good time to do that

Your insurance cover the loss?

 

[RFR2212]

Gofast--As you know...I've been following your thread closely, and I'm sorry that this is going downhill for you. Look at it this way though...at some point things will turn around for you!
Pete

 

[Tate Myrick]

Just a curiosity...why exactly did you start the new post? Also, since the topic was discussed I wanted to ask if anyone out there has tried using a Dana 44 IFS? I know Currie makes a shortened one, but that is probably more expensive then fabbing everything for the straight 44. Also, OKnut's Explorer is cool, but I don't know that I want to go that extreme nor do I want my tires to stick out as much. Which Bronco 44 is the right size and does anyone know or have an idea about how the RTI of the IFS versus the straight would compare. I just got Advance Adapters V8 manual. Babysteps here...don't want to leap yet.

 

[CougarX]

Tate, is the V8 Swap manual worth $10? I was thinking about getting one but I wasn't sure it had anything more than what was already on the site.

Gofast, sorry to hear about your truck but you'll probably be better off (especially in the wallet) if you do it yourself and you will appreciate it more and know how to fix it if/when it breaks.

 

[Gofast]

Thanks

I started the new thread because the old one was getting tough to load. I wanted to get back to the project as well.

And to clarify some more on the speed shop. I'm partially guilty for letting it get this far. I tried everywhere that I could find for a shop to do this work. He was recomended by someone I knew and they said he did good work on Mustangs.

I think basically this project was over his head. It turns out I was doing all the footwork on what was supposed to be a turnkey deal. That was my first clue and they started adding up from there.

I really don't think he was scamming on this deal. I think he had good intentions, but not the experiance to back it up. I also think one of his " Friends " robbed him at the shop. He'll learn as he gets older, that insurance on a shop is not an option.

Back to the project.

I decided to order the Kaufman or Advance Adapters Motor Mounts. I don't have the time to Fab my own mounts now. The Motor shipped today, so I expect to start on the truck Monday.

I still have to get the Radiator mounted, relocate the battery ( Any suggestions )and some minor clean-up before the install.

The gears will be put on hold till after the truck is running. I have a really nice Detroit and "SVO" cover sitting on my desk now!

CougarX, Advance adapters has some basic info on there website. I did a lot of researching and reading on other sites as well.


[Edited by Gofast on 12-07-2000 at 07:17 PM]

 

[JayR]

Hey go fast. I met a guy down here in annapolis when i was wheeling one day, i helped him change a flat. and ends up he works at an engine shop. =) I discussed swaping a 302 or 351 in my explorer when the v 6 goes. I think I might go with the 302 and he told me he would do it all for less thank 4 k, including new tranny, drive shafts and motor,mounts . what else would i need? But if i do so, i worrie about breaking axels, driveshafts and other things from the power.

 

[Gofast]

Good Deal!

That's a great price. Wiring harness & Radiator need some attention. good price on what he's offering. I'm over 3K on motor & tranny & adapters. Does he include the Fuel Injection and Wiring harness? ASk if it's a turn key deal, drive in & drive out.


And yes breakage of drivetrain parts is a concern now. My next conversion will be a solid front axle set-up. Slow and steady on the trails hopefully will keep my breakage down to a minimumn.

 

[kubben]

Rob I read and heard from Rod I believe that you were opening up an Explorer shop. Is this a dream or are you in the works with it?

It sounds like a good idea but I don't know all the plans you have. I would think that just modifying Explorers wouldn't have a big enough demand. Perhaps if you designed and manufactored products and sold them on top of modifying Explorers would probably work.

Would love to know the details.

 

[Sinjin]

Keith,

I think that was just a dream that we both had.

 

[Gofast]

Dreaming keeps you young!

Yep, still in the works, may take many months to happen though. I'm thinking once I get my truck running I can put a sign on it and maybe get some tax benefits. Also, thinking I will do mostly weekend stuff out of my garage for those that don't want to wrench on there own.

The idea started out of frustration trying to find a shop that would do anything with a non-jeep. Not to mention custom fabbing stuff.

We'll see where it goes.

 

[GJarrett]

Re: Good Deal!

Originally posted by Gofast
And yes breakage of drivetrain parts is a concern now. My next conversion will be a solid front axle set-up. Slow and steady on the trails hopefully will keep my breakage down to a minimumn.

Maybe you SHOULDN'T replace that radio. Know what I mean?

And hey, if you need an associate wrench at your new Explorer shop, well, I know someone that might be interested.... :smoke:

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

An Explorer Shop... HMMMM. I really like that Idea. Plus I am experinced in Swaps too. Since My next swap will be a T-5 transmission. I think the Texas guys on the Board might be willing to help start a new bussiness here.

 

[Gofast]

302 small update.

The little parts just keep coming in.

Late news.

I ordered the radiator today from http://www.radiator.com Great site. They only offer OEM stuff, but if you want something bigger then just cross referance something from another car that fits the bill. I paid $128 for a Mustang GT 3 core radiator brand new and it will be here tomorrow! I'll let everyone know if this doesn't cover my cooling needs. I really needed to save money right now, so I'll watch the temp gauges for now.

The Kaufman Motor Mounts arrived today too. I'll post pic's later of the pieces I'm stock piling.

Still waiting on the motor to arrive. I'm sure the ice storm doesn't help since it's coming from Indy. It's been 2 months now since I ordered the motor.

 

[InNeed]

I am interested in swaping to a 302 V8 when my V6 dies. Hopefully that won't be soon. I have just found this forum in the last few weeks and I am finding all of the info overwelming. But on to my question. Has anyone put a conventional carboreted 302 in their explorer. What do you do with the computer system? Can you find a conversion wiring harness? How will other systems such as ABS, A/C, heater, power steering, power brakes, etc be effected? Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[Gofast]

Carb vs. Injected

Matt, You can go carburated if you want. Keep in mind that if you have to pass emmissions that could be a problem. F.I. will give you better MPG though and if you go offroad it's easier to deal with severe angles without starving the motor. If you do go with a carb then you simply disconnect all the sensor wires and tie them back out of the way. All the other systems will still work, at least I think they will. I don't think the ABS system is tied into the engine harness.

However, F.I. is simple to do. There are several links mentioned in this thread and it's predeccesor. Check out Harwood Engineering site ( link was listed somewhere on here ) He has a book you need to buy. $30 and it covers most of what your asking.

And mostly, be prepared to spend some money! This is still a very custom deal. This is not a turn key kit. You will have to fab some stuff amd plan like crazy. There are so many options of motors and adapters and combinations of things you can do that it makes it hard to cover all the bases.

Good Luck.

 

[RFR2212]

Gofast....I just searched that "Harwood Engineering" and came up empty handed....I'm looking for the motor and parts now, and I'm interested in a book if it helps explain lots about this swap. I'm keepin up on yers, but am reading anything possible. Any update on yours?
Thanks
Pete

 

[Gofast]

Found it!

Here's the link. Dogman deserves the credit for finding this site. Good work Mike!

http://www.harwoodperformance.bizland.com

I think the book is worth the money.

 

[DOGMAN]

Thanks Rob, I thought you'd like it.

Matt Harwood seems like a real nice guy, very knowledgable. I've emailed him a number of times with questions about the swap, and his answers were very helpful, being detailed and specific. Seems like he enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience.

I think I told you this before, but I think the wiring section alone is worth the $30.

I followed Matt's advice and ordered the EVTM and wiring manuals for my 91 and for a 93 Mustang from Helm Inc. (www.helm.com).

I'm also getting Charles O. Probst's book, How to Understand, Service & Modify Ford Fuel Injection & Electronic Engine Control. (FRPP # M-1832-Z1)

Can't have too much information.