97 5.0 longevity ?

[sc4x4]

I am looking at a 1997 Explorer 2wd with the 5.0 v8. The Explorer has 89,000 on it. Did the 5.0 have any issues in 97, I would think that Ford would have them fixed after almost 30 years of building the 302. How reliable are the auto transmissions? Can I expect 30,000 to 40,000 more miles with out any major issues? I can replace things like brakes, ball joints, u-joints, and external engine parts etc, I do not want to have to tear into the block or heads or the auto tranny in the next 30,000 to 40,000. What kind of items normally need replaced at the 90,000 to 100,000 mile mark doing routine matinence? What kind of real world gas mileage can be expected from the 5.0?
Any other good or bad things any one can think of? I have searched part of the forum, but with a dial up speed of 26.4 bps and 338 responses to look at it would be tommorow afternoon before I was finished.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[section525]

Jeff.. the motor and tranny are both great. The motor will run forever and the tranny is one of Ford's better ones. There's no real common problems with the 5.0s thats not easy to fix.

Stock header gaskets tend to blow out and/or the factory collectors like to crack and leak as well. Both are fairly cheap fixes.

Also, before you buy make sure the heater/AC both work. Those year Explorer have blend door problems which will make your heater controls not function.

 

[dmf415]

Here's a new method on fixing your blend door if you completely broke that piece that turns the door. http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~dmf/blenddoor.htm

 

[performancenut]

As earlier described, the usual wear items occur. Engine and transmission are strong and seem to tolerate a lot of abuse. Lots of mods available if you are into that sort of thing. Fuel economy not very good @ 15 MPG.

 

[Kevin Kuiper]

Well, I just bought mine and it is a 96 XLT V-8 with 185,000 on the Ticker And She Runs Great, Nice and Strong!! (Knock on Wood)
Good Luck!

 

[antcaswil]

mileage

I get anywhere between 15 and 18mpg depending on who is driving, me, 15mpg the wife 18mpg. For the size of the vehicle I find it comparable to other vehicles in it's class. I'm glad to hear that the motor and tranny are strong since I have only had it a year and don't really want to replace any major parts.