302 Explorer Engine Internally the same?

[Ponyman460]

I have been planning a rebuild for my 97 5.0 Exploder. Just wondering what (if any) differences I may run into if I got a 302 short block out of a mustang to start with.

I wanted to have another motor (long block) ready to go before I pulled this one to save time since it is a Daily driver.

My truck has the GT-40 heads...not the P's. Does anybody know what the compression is on this engine? and in addition to that, are the piston dishes on both short blocks the same?

I would like to put a good cam in the motor...good for low end grunt, and towing power without sacrificing passing ability on the hwy. Can anybody reccomend a good cam for this?

Thanks for answering! I am a modular guy....dont know much about these pushrods

Rick

 

[Turdle]

Your pistons are flat tops-

The timing cover and oil pan are unique to explorers--make sure you get a "roller" block. I think the 5.0 switched to roller cam in 1986

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Comp Cams makes an off the shelf cam (PART NO. 35-510-8)
for our engines.

 

[Ponyman460]

Comp Cams makes an off the shelf cam (PART NO. 35-510-8)
for our engines.

thanks, I will look that one up.

Your pistons are flat tops-

The timing cover and oil pan are unique to explorers--make sure you get a "roller" block. I think the 5.0 switched to roller cam in 1986.

so all I need to look out for is a roller block.

Thanks!!

 

[Ponyman460]

Dan,

is that the 260HR??

 

[CDW6212R]

Rick, Jon and Dan answered you well, good luck. The Mustang engines are very similar in compression, close to 9:1 ratio. You could gain some by raising the compression, but a camshaft would need to be very carefully selected to work well with the different compression. Price different compression combinations, and see what cam manufacturers would suggest for the different ratios. Regards,

 

[Ponyman460]

thanks all!

Rick