5.OL shortblock swap | Ford Explorer Forums

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5.OL shortblock swap

Flippindabird

Well-Known Member
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December 11, 2010
Messages
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City, State
The Pocono Mountains
Year, Model & Trim Level
1999 AWD V8 Mountaineer
so the wifes mounty has a rod knock... picked up a good shortblock with an Ecam and double roller timing chaiin recently installed, i wanna reuse everything but the stock shortblock, gaskets and head bolts, including all sensors waterpump, heads etc, from the stock 135k engine and bolt it on the new shortblock and go... the engine STILL RUNS it just has an obvious rod knock and is in storage right now, my wife is getting ancy not having a vehicle and has called a couple mechanics and they have told her $1600 and up to install the shortblock and thats NOT counting parts... i talked to them and asked them what other parts they needed(because i know they will get stock replacements and charge me like they were high performance parts) id rather get the good stuff from summit myself. they told me i need to get all new sensors, a thermostat, a waterpump, new serp belt... and he tried to talk me into getting rid of the shortblock and getting a long block, or getting a set of new heads to go on top, i just wanted to get a second opinion because i can do it myself its just gonna take a little while for me to work it into my schedule so it would be very convenient to let someone else do it, but not if theyare gonna rip us off... so what does everybody think? also if anyone knows a good shop in the NEPA area pm me
 



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One important question. Is the block from an Explorer/Mountaineer or a Mustang?
If it's a Mustang short block it will not work. The Explorer has a different balance than the Mustang.
 






so your saying the internals are different? its from a 90 mustang gt if you mean the harmonic balncer, then im going to use the one from the mountaineer because my shortblock didnt even come with it...
 






The balancer crank shaft & fly wheel are 50oz balance on an Explorer & 28oz on a Mustang. You can't just swap the balancer.
 






wow wish you were here a couple weeks ago... why would they(ford) do that? and is there anyway to get around it like use the mustang balancer?
 






wow wish you were here a couple weeks ago... why would they(ford) do that? and is there anyway to get around it like use the mustang balancer?

It's already been covered on this forum.

Nope.
 






yeah thanks search engine...
would you mind posting a link for me, im gonna have to sell this shortblock now... anyone have a longblock for sale?
 






the guy at "promar engines" just told me this...

"Ron,

The balance is the same but the depth of the pilot hole in the back of
the crank may be different. The Explorer uses a deeper hole for the
converter. Also in the block there may not be a provision for a knock
sensor."
 












i asked if it could be machined to fit
 






"Check the casting number on the crank that you have.
If it is 2MA or 2MAE it would need to be drilled. The charge for
converting the crank would be $50."

so its good to go for $50 as opposed to selling the shortblock and starting from scratch

thanks about the knock sensor btw
 






The balancer crank shaft & fly wheel are 50oz balance on an Explorer & 28oz on a Mustang. You can't just swap the balancer.

Nope, after 81 or 82, (when they stopped calling it the 302 and started calling it the 5.0l) all 5.0l went to 50 oz from 28.8 oz.
 






Nope, after 81 or 82, (when they stopped calling it the 302 and started calling it the 5.0l) all 5.0l went to 50 oz from 28.8 oz.

Then why is every crank and harmonic balancer that Summit sells (or anyone for that matter) for a 5.0 Mustang a 28.8oz balance? The balance differnce has been covered here plenty of times.

BTW it was 1979 that it became 5.0
 


















Thats the difference. The 347 strokers are 28 oz. The stock 5.0l is 50 oz.


I know those balancers dont have the reluctor wheel on them, I was just showing you that the 5.0l uses a 50oz.
I have a brand new 50oz for a DIS (36-1 tooth - 97 Explorer) and a brand new 28oz with a reluctor wheel (4 tooth - 96 Bronco w/ a 351w Part #F6TZ-6312-JA) still in the boxes 2 feet from me.

Incase anyone is interested: The 96 Bronco was OBDII but not DIS, it had to know which cyl was at TDC to be able to show misfire codes. Thats why it had a wheel on it. The 36-1 wheel will press right on, its the same ID as the 4 tooth wheel. I'm saving it for a 351 DIS conversion.
 






LOL thanks snoranger! I was really pissed that i couldnt use my shortblock because i asked several "ford guys" mustang guys but still ford, and they all told me it was the same... i understand why they wouldnt know that the crank wasnt tapped for the right bolt... but that balance thing had me all screwed up! makes total sense that the stroker is lighter though, makes up for the extra reciprocating volume... So i will be paying the $50 to have mine tapped and im good to go... now does anyone know of any other problems that might arise from this swap?
 






1 more drawback but not too bad considering...

"Crank has to be out of the engine to mount it in the machine.
Casting number is on the side of one of the counter weights of the crank
usually near the front of the engine. Yes it is underneath the oil pan.
The Explorer and the Mustang take two completely different oil pans, so
even if you were going to install it you would still have to change
pans."

might as well put new main and rod bearings in while im at it...
 









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there we go! thanks turdle!...
 






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