The one I got is from Canton, it was $60 shipped or so and it fits perfect. Of course I wont know if it leaks till way later, but I learned from all the others who used the POS style cheapo and had leaks. When I did my 4.0L I was in uncharted waters, with this 5.0L I let everyone else do the trial and error first! hahaha
Canton billet 90 degree adapter:
Heater box inside seal with fiberglass:
Firewall and federwell rust repaired with fiberglass, prepped and painted:
Frame cleaned, prepped and painted:
She's bolted in.......
Muahahahahaha
Some notes from last night:
The explorer 5.0L block uses a oil filter adapter that will not work with the Canton (or similar) oil filter 90 degree elbow. The piece that the new elbow threads onto is missing from the block. I had to get this piece from another 5.0L block (thanks Brett), then I was able to mount the Canton adapter.
The L&L engine mounts are almost perfect, they lined up when bolted to the engine cradle way better then I ever would have imagined, they also put the engine way down low while still clearing everything very well. However I found it was 100 times easier to bolt the mounts completely to the block, then lower the block in place, its such a tight fit that I couldnt get the pass side bolt through both pieces. Doing it this way made it a snap. the bolts that hold the mounts to the cradle go in last.
The heater box will not fit in place after the block is bolted in.
again learned this the hard way. I guess it depends on where your engine sits and how much of the box you notch, but I had to loosen the engine mounts, raise the block about 4" and swing it forward, then install the box.
There is about 1/4" clearance between the Canton elbow and the power steering box, I have about 1/2" clearance between the Duff drop bracket and oil pan now, both of these will improve when the tran is installed and the back of the engine gets lifted slightly.
I will also replace my body mounts with Urethane later this year, so that will provide some additional clearance around the heater box and trans tunnel.
The Explorer 5.0L radiator will not fit with teh fan on the engine, I am looking into a conversion radiator or possibly raditaro support modifications.......I am 40% there......... I would say.......