Wanted Machining recommendations.

[seth247]

I've got my 5.0 stripped down and I would like some recommendations on what to have done to the block by My machinist.

Also since I've got the engine torn down are there any mods I could do to it now while it's easy that could gain me some power or save me agrevation in the future?

I don't mean obvious stuff like camshaft or heads I mean little Tweeks here and there that you only know after having one of these engines for awhile.

But mainly I'm after suggestions for the block.

Thanks for you help!

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

I think I read you're thinking about possibly boosting it in the future, but if not now, ever thought about having the intakes ported/polished? Couple hundred dollars and it'll last forever.

 

[BlackMounty]

While reassembling it add an intake manifold spacer.

 

[seth247]

Thanks josh yeah I'm considering a port and pollish.

And I'll remember to get an intake spacer.

Thanks.

 

[IZwack]

Isnt an intake spacer on an injected engine pretty much ineffective?

 

[techieman33]

Isnt an intake spacer on an injected engine pretty much ineffective?

The throttle body spacers are, but the spacers between the upper and lower intake manifolds will help a little. they're good for a little more torque and lower intake temps as they insulate the upper intake from the lower.

 

[seth247]

throttle body spacers are inefective but from what I've heard the 5.0 acualy responds to upper to lower intake spacers.

Something to do with changing the intake pulse frequency and keeping heat out of the upper plenum.


Edit: damn techieman beat me to the post.

 

[IZwack]

Ah ko ko

 

[CDW6212R]

Definitely buy main studs and not bolts. Those strengthen the bottom end(block) the most. Skip a main girdle, the benefit of them is questionable, and some are harmful to the bearings, causing them to not be round when torqued in place.

Find a machinist who has a good reputation. Line boring/honing the cylinders with torque plates should be standard work, as well as the mains. Have the rods done very well, and if possible find a deal on lighter/stronger rods/pistons.

Look around to see what rods and pistons are available. You want much lighter pistons, and aftermarket pistons of strokers are shorter as needed with the stroke change. But the point is that if you can buy a longer rod with lighter short pistons(for a 302), the strength/power/reliability goes up a lot.

Try to have all of the oil and water galley plugs tapped and plugged. Just the first ideas I thought of.

 

[seth247]

Sounds good! Keep the suggestion coming

I know absolutley nothing about engine machining so keep it coming.

 

[justin146]

The block itself is the weakest point, so I would skip the machining process all together and find a good condition pulled engine. Put that machining money into a good set of heads....

 

[Cobraguy]

I don't know about that Justin. These blocks will handle a lot of hp for an Explorer. But if he's going to boost it, I would consider an aftermarket block...but it shouldn't be necessary for the hp levels he should be running in an Explorer.

The OP needs to decide right now if he's going to boost it. If so, then build it accordingly and keep your compression around 8.5:1. If staying NA, I would try and get it to 10:1 or 10.5:1. Then don't waste your money on working with these heads. Just buy a set of 165 or 185 AFR heads and be done with it. You will not be sorry.

Have the block blue printed. Square the bores, the deck surface, align hone, and have each piston fit to each cylinder.

Balance the engine assy...including the balancer and flex plate. That should just be a given and if your machine shop doesn't suggest it, I would consider another shop.

The rest...such as crank reconditioning, etc do as necessary. If you boost, go with a good set of rods. I prefer a quality H beam rod...but that is personal preference. Buy quality forged pistons. Don't cheap out there if boosting. Hypereutectic are good in a NA environment, but have no place in a boosted application as they can be brittle. Again my own opinion from many, many years of research and experience.

If you are going to go boosted, I would recommend you look up some writings from Richard Holdener. This guy has done more research on boosted Ford's than anyone I know. He's a helluva guy who knows his stuff.