Is this a good idea

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Ok I found a rolled Explorer v-8 for sale

Is it a good Idea to use this motor for my V-8 Swap or should I go with a mustang.

BTW: I am getting a real good deal on the Explorer

 

[Gofast]

Yes!

I think it's a good idea. I'm looking for one now.

 

[jimbo74]

id say yes as it will have all the computer and stuff....and emissions equipment.....

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

WEll I just looked at this Explorer the motor is complete and all the wireing is still in place what. But the one probelm is i can not buy the truck and part it myself But they did say if I want the motor to pull all the wiring, computer myself and they would pull the rest of the motor. and sell it for $700.00 it is a 97 Explorer.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[jimbo74]

sounds good to me too.....

 

[parli22]

At that price I wouldn't pass it by. Where would you find a v8 for that with all the wires :fire:

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

well the motor is still in the car and nothing has been pulled on this Explorer but the seats and one fender.

 

[RFR2212]

Do you know the condition of the motor or not? That would be a deciding factor for me...But, Make sure you get every lil possible sensor relating to any wire in the harness.
Pete

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

I know very little on the condition of the motor. I do know it had not been ran in Two years. caused it was Rolled and it sat at a storage lot. Then resently the Explorer got sold to a local salvage yard. The Engine looks good visually. The Reason I dont know mileage is cause the motor is missing the gauge cluster.

 

[leenjen]

$700 for a 1997 V-8

hell yeah. i would buy it if i was doing a v-8 swap.

 

[Sandy]

The price for the motor and the wiring is great if the motor is in running condition. These motors has GT 40 Cast Iron Heads !

Has it been covered ?

Any mud or dirt on it or around the intake ?

If you do buy it, put some mystery oil or other HD lubricant in the cyclinders through the spark plug holes. Squirt it all around and let it set for a while, then try to turn the engine over by hand. If it can turn completely over a few revelutions then squirt a little more in each cyclinder and let it set at least over night; this should let you know if it is or has been hung up, depending how smooth it moves. Sometimes ring can stick when sitting or a valve hang up also, if it moves to freely with the plug in place then you may have a little more work to do.

Another idea might be to remove the heads before turning it over and see what might be in the cyclinders, put oil in all of the cyclinders and let set so the oil can work its way down through. You would need to replace all of the upper end gaskets but it might be worth the effort.

Of course change the oil and start it up.

Good Luck, sounds like a great deal.

 

[Lifted95X]

did you happen to notice if it had tread seperated Firestones on it....sorry...had to ask.

 

[SteveVB]

get the trans too

Hey Kris,

One thing to think about is getting the trans also. The AWD TC is not ideal, but the AOD trans is something to get, I dont think the manual trans will hold up to the v-8 for long. Also save you a bunch of time/money trying to adapt the computer to your manual trans.

If it were me I would get the whole drive train if its intact, Swap that in with a manual TC either a Dana 20 (EB) , Atlas II, or least desireable choice- one of the manual BW from an F series or Bronco.

Just a thought, good luck.

 

[RFR2212]

Sandy..... Good point! I completely forgot that the X's had the GT-40 heads....that's a definate thumbs up, since they're alot better for generating more HP.
Pete

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

SteveVB, The tranny in this Explorer is a 2wd so I woulnd have to get adaptors any way.

Sandy, Since you know a lot about this swap how is the best way to go about the tranny options. This one has an auto trans and wound like to keep it my navajo manual. I know you are useing the NV4500 so how are you setting the clutch up in your Navajo? Also are you doing a body lift to clear the engine?

Also does any one know what the 5.0 weights?

 

[RFR2212]

Kris-
As for the weight....I was told in all the manuals that the V-8 was somewhere around 100 lbs heavier than the ranger 4cyl. Now, with my V-8 in...I see very lil difference. Infact, I can swear it looks taller with the V-8, but I think that's cause I haven't seen my truck outta the garage for weeks. Personally, I'd love to run an NV4500 with an atlas II Probly an indestructable setup, as well as insane gearing! Oh, if this all goes through... Good luck, it takes lots of work, patience and sanity!
Pete

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

Well I need to know what kind of engine stand to buy cause they have weight ratings... Have you finished your Conversion, RFR? How is the cable clutch working for you? How bad was the shifter relocation with the t-5

 

[espnfreak]

pete how is the truck with the v-8

 

[RFR2212]

Mine still isnt running because I ran outta time before school.....Uh, the clutch cable seems to work fine from the lil testing I've done with it. I got the whole stang pedal assembly in, but I don't totally like how the brake pedal sits, so over winter, I may redesign the original X assembly to take a manual clutch assembly. The T-5 shifter seems as though it'll come through in the stock location. I'm runnin the T-5WC with an adapter for the Dana 20. The twin sticks are gonna need some trimming to fit through the floor board.... Someday, I'll get photos.

Also, I think the engine stand I'm using is a 750 pounder...but it could be 1000 I'm not sure off hand. I had the complete motor on it with all the accessories, and it held it fine
Pete

 

[Sandy]

Kris Guilbeaux,
The NV4500 trans bolts to a stock Ford bellhousing using an Advanced Adapters adapter, which is only a plate to take up the difference in input shaft length and drilled with two bolt patterns the Dodge on one side and the Ford on the other, Sort of!!!

I am using a truck bell housing with a juice clutch around '83 and all of the pieces that make it work. The disc is of Chebby 11" design but works with the Dodge spline on the input shaft. I am using the earlier Ranger hydraulic clutch pedal and reservoir plumb in the accessories and you have a clutch set up. The flywheel is also from a Ford, I think '83. Watch the weight of the flywheel; remember the 5.0L has a different weight and balancing system. I would have to look it up again to be sure but I do know it is different.

Tranny options for this setup is up to the person putting it in, I tried the C-4 in my Ranger and want to change it to an AOD for the OD, but would really like another 5 speed. (Nothing like the sound of a standard trans)

The main thing to remember about swapping engine and transmissions is:

"What are you going to do with the vehicle".

That is most important, chose the 5.0 of course, but select the trans on how you drive, do you need an auto, is the auto the easiest way to make the swap, do I really need the computer attached to my trans, is a lower first gear something I need. See there is more questions that can be asked and the person who is going to drive it needs to ask them.

Personally, I will never build another automatic transmissioned vehicle, I just like the sound of the manual but if I were to use an automatic or slush-pump, I would stick to an AOD with out the computer setup, and setup by someone or company that really know AODs. The AOD has a lower first gear, that is good for off-roading and for acceleration, with proper setup they shift hard/fast, that is good for off-roading when on a hill on going up a rock and the fast shifts can help ETs if you are into that. Also, there is the OD, which is good for on the road for all applications, good gas mileage is good.
Ssssoooo, my vote for automatic is the AOD.


No, I do not know the weight of the 5.0L, right off the top of my head (I am at work) but I do know that they weigh less than a Jeep six. I would guess about three hundred pounds, how does that sound.

Kris, I hope this is not too confusing, I have a way of thinking what I want to write and not writing down all of the words I was thinking about, so try to make sense out of it. If you have any questions, pls ask.