98 5.0L is tired....Any good crate engines?

[i8u]

I'm in the process of trying to figure out what options I have.
I may go though the engine but considering I have limited time I am considering anything else that will bolt in and work with the factory electronics. Also it needs to work with the 4r70w tranny.
I'm wondering what other if any engines I might consider looking at before I tear into this one or getting a remanufactured one that has parts just barely within spec .

The 4r70w is coming apart as well....

Thanks in advance,

John

 

[IAmTodd]

How many miles are on it? I hardly think it is "tired". Just needs a little work. It responds very well to simple modifications that will cost much less than an entire motor. That will be much simpler too. Do some research around here(obviously you've done none) and see what you've come up with. The Explorer 5.0L is a very good motor, and dependable on top of that.

 

[410Fortune]

with the 5.0L Gt-40p you can go from MILD to WILD.
Anything frmo a factory short block to a full 347 stroker, emissions should be a concern.

Also it would be pointless to hook up a built 331 or 347 to the factory 98 manifolds, so you really need to do some research.

When you say tired, this to me means you have done a compression test?

 

[i8u]

Okay let me explain my self a little better. Nothing is seriously wrong with the engine. Compression is within spec. I would like to freshen up my powertrain so I can enjoy the vehicle for another 200k miles. I would suspect that with some new bearings, rings, and with one leaky lifter being replaced the rest would have very little wear on it even at the 190k miles I have on the engine.


I am well aware of the the 5.0's capability and the search function IAmTodd but appreaciate your assumption......
Simple mods are not what I am looking for. A fresh engine that will run reliably for another 150k is. The stocker is great and is why I have been leaning towards rebuilding this engine for a while. I just wanted to be aware of any other engine options I have before I make a decision.

Thanks for the help









Most likely the original engine will come apart for a complete balance/blueprint.

 

[CDW6212R]

Hello John, from what you have said, think about this. Considering fuel costs, keep the 302 size. The factory heads are good for basic usage. Rebuild using the highest quality parts, especially rod bolts, and balance it.

For a keeper(200K), tweak a couple of things. Think about raising the compression from under 8.8:1, to at least 9.5:1, and have a cam selected for the combo. For a significant change like that, plan for a PCM tuner to adjust for the changes. A PCM chip is great for very common combos, but not for a special one. Get a flasher that can be reprogrammed by you the user, by email from programmers.

If you very carefully select a matched combo of compression, camshaft, and programming, you can get much better power and efficiency. Fuel mileage can be better, but only with judicious use of throttle.

The 4.0 SOHC engine has much higher compression than the OHV 4.0 engine. It makes more power, and most people get better gas mileage with it.

Talk to some PCM programmers about recommended 302 compression ratios. They may be able to guide you to a good combo of compression, camming, and programming. Good luck,

 

[i8u]

Hello John, from what you have said, think about this. Considering fuel costs, keep the 302 size. The factory heads are good for basic usage. Rebuild using the highest quality parts, especially rod bolts, and balance it.

For a keeper(200K), tweak a couple of things. Think about raising the compression from under 8.8:1, to at least 9.5:1, and have a cam selected for the combo. For a significant change like that, plan for a PCM tuner to adjust for the changes. A PCM chip is great for very common combos, but not for a special one. Get a flasher that can be reprogrammed by you the user, by email from programmers.

If you very carefully select a matched combo of compression, camshaft, and programming, you can get much better power and efficiency. Fuel mileage can be better, but only with judicious use of throttle.

The 4.0 SOHC engine has much higher compression than the OHV 4.0 engine. It makes more power, and most people get better gas mileage with it.

Talk to some PCM programmers about recommended 302 compression ratios. They may be able to guide you to a good combo of compression, camming, and programming. Good luck,

Thanks for the advice.