Good Reading Material

[5.0L96Exp]

Can anyone recommend some Ford 5.0L performance reading material? I have no fear of taking things apart but when I put them together I wouldn’t mind if they worked the same or better than when i started.

I have a late 96 XLT Explorer with AWD and the 302. The engine has 250 000km on it, and aside from a very slight rough idle and a tick tick tick from the inside of the passengers side valve cover, the engine runs and looks like new. In other words, if I break it I am not out a lot of money, making it a good engine to learn on.

Now this is not the first engine I have had apart, I had a 89 Toyota Camry before and I left no bolt un-turned. She ran for 7 years without a hiccup. It took 12 minutes at the rev limit before she finally kicked the can (@430 000km). But this was a much simpler engine, less emissions controls, simple computer, half the cylinders .

I have been considering swapping cams (why not!!). I have read Sections525 write-up at http://www.section525.com/xpage/camshaft/index.html and it looks pretty simple. But how do you know what cam to use. The E303 seems to be the most popular cam in any 5.0 (mustang or explorer) but why. Why not the B303 or the F303 or X303. I can see the difference in the numbers on the spec sheets but what do the numbers mean? What about the heads.. I think my X has the GT-40... Not the GT-40P's. So if I swap in an E303 does this mean i need new valve springs, roller rockers, etc? And what about the firing order. I have read that changing your cam sometimes means you have to use the 351 firing order instead of the 302 firing order. This blows my mind. I think I need a Ford 5.0 Explorer Step by Step For Dummies book.

Section525, 410Fortune, aldive, ExplorerDMB, and the likes... HOW did you get to know so much? I have read so many different forums but there is a point when the good info is lost in the clutter. I like working on my truck, I am fresh out of school, I have little or no commitments, some money to burn and a garage to work in. BUT I'm missing the experience.

 

[5.0L96Exp]

I guess the big question is 250 000km too much on this engine. When is it time for a complete rebuild. If I swap the cam than should I do valve springs, roller rockers, timing chain, head gaskets, valve guides, pushrods, water pump etc etc. What about the bottom end? Is there anything I need to be worried about? When do I need to worry about flashing the computer, or for that matter is there a standalone computer I can use. It would be nice to think I could one day use this engine for another project but I don’t know when and how much is too much. Sorry for the rambling.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Expierence is huge to me. I am a technician first of all, and then a student in the automotive field but I also have just researched a lot of information. If your interested in knowing, there is a lot of information out there to get a hold of. Start with cool websites like HowStuffWorks.com and reading up on forums like these. Sometimes it's hard to understand, but it'll all come into play.

-Drew

 

[Glacier991]

Properly maintained engines today turn out impressive lifespan mileage numbers... 30 years ago 250,000 miles was practically unheard of.... today we see 300,000 miles more or less routinely on well maintained engines of certain types (the 4.0 FORD is a shining example). However when you have an engine of any kind with 250,000 miles, adding power upgrade mods and not doing a rebuild is kinda akin to putting a push up bra on grandma.

If you want to do something to your engine at that mileage for more power, start with the rebuild and go from there is my advice.

 

[spta97]

He's measuring in kilometers so 155,350 miles.

 

[Glacier991]

Ah thanks, I missed that. While that tips things a little back in his favor, but even at 150K MILES, I think my advice would still be my advice. Thanks for pointing out my error though.

 

[spta97]

Ah thanks, I missed that. While that tips things a little back in his favor, but even at 150K MILES, I think my advice would still be my advice. Thanks for pointing out my error though.

I would be afraid to do any mods at 150k

 

[ExplorerDMB]

I wouldn't be afraid, but I'd be a little cautions as to exactly what I do. Air Intake, exhaust, MAYBE a chip -- no superchargers, cams, etc.

-Drew

 

[section525]

Doing my cam was really the first time I've ever torn into a motor. Everything I learned about doing it beforehand came from this site and people on this site. There's people here who can do it all and they're all more than willing to share their knowledge.

I had a buddy help me (who had never done a cam swap either) and together he knew just enough to get it done. I went with the e-303 because it was the best off-the-shelf cam for what I wanted. All the other letter cams (B-303, F-303, X-303) will raise your power band into rpms unreachable by the Explorer computer. So as they'd make more power in the top end of a mustang, you'd never see it in your heavy, slow-ass Explorer.

I would probably mod a 150k motor. Why not? It's just the cam. If you break a rod or something down the road, chances are the cam will be fine and you can just swap it into your new block. Plus, you'll learn a lot about building motors for when you do need to put a new one in.

 

[5.0L96Exp]

Ya there are some really helpful/knowledgeable folks on this site and I always appreciate the advice.. This site has already influenced some of my recent purchases.. For instance I installed Rancho9000's (from driverfx.ca) and the in cab control (which I got off ebay for good price) based on the reviews I read. I also decided to go with a Flowmaster Super 40 based in the sound clips I listened to from different members rides. Plus there’s a set of warrior shackles sitting in a box just waiting to be installed. All this stuff has been maintenance to this point.. Now its time for the fun stuff.