Need help with my V8 swap

[Axial32]

Literally, Need help, if there's any EF members in the west michigan area that would like to help out with a V8 swap into my sport.

Well after all the storms and all the water, stupid me decided to go through the water anyways, well would have made it but didn't quite. As I was pulling out of the water the motor died,
most likely hydrolocked...
well got it home, pulled the plugs, pulled off the intake hose, it will not turn over. It just clicks, I don't know if the starter could be jammed. Put jumper cables on to make sure not the bat. I don't know what else it could be besides seized.

It just seems now that with college starting within a month, I need to get this fixed some way or another.

 

[Axial32]

BuMp :$

 

[Axial32]

WOW... I'm somehow the only one that has viewed or posted on this thread... I thought someone would say something. Or atleast read it and see what I was needing.

Now that's what I'm saying, atleast people are looking and reading it... it jumped from my three views to fifteen

 

[Curtis]

The quickest, easiest and cheapest way is to replace it with a matching V6

swapping to a different motor is a huge undertaking.

 

[Axial32]

I already have the motor, computer, trans, everything I need but driveshafts...all from a matching 97 explorer... I just need help doing it.. and with tackling the wiring...

 

[IZwack]

BuMp :$

Well usually you give a thread 24 hrs before bumping, not 30 minutes (the world doesnt revolve around one person after all). But since you cant wait, why not get started already? Start unbolting stuff - start with the hood and then the driveshafts, transfer case (if it exists), transmission, and then onto the engine. Who knows, by the time someone posts up, you may already have the v8 in. Label everything and take pics if necessary for future reference.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

WOW... I'm somehow the only one that has viewed or posted on this thread... I thought someone would say something. Or atleast read it and see what I was needing.

Now that's what I'm saying, atleast people are looking and reading it... it jumped from my three views to fifteen

Seriously you bumped your thread twice with in an hour? Most people work for a living you know.

 

[Axial32]

Yea, I would but I have to work and convince my parents into letting me do this...

Would it be possible, that the starter could be jammed... but the only thing that doesn't make since with that, is I can't bar it over by hand on the crank pulley bolt... it will loosen, but when I tighten it, it seems that I could keep going... but I don't want to break off anything... so I couldn't get the starter off either... bottom bolt was easy... top one can't even get to it..

Yea sorry about the bumping, I'm freakin' out with all the stuff I yet have to do now before college starts up... I don't have to work for another hour...

 

[olskool reddevil]

calm down probably just locked starter into ring gear . Start out by takeing out starter then try to turn engine with breaker bar on front pully or screwdriver in ring gear. I've swamped a few and worse i've done is locked starter.
Good Luck

 

[Curtis]

Yip get that starter out.

I would not worry about breaking the crank bolt.. those things are tough

 

[2000StreetRod]

How much experience?

. . . Would it be possible, that the starter could be jammed... but the only thing that doesn't make since with that, is I can't bar it over by hand on the crank pulley bolt... it will loosen, but when I tighten it, it seems that I could keep going... but I don't want to break off anything... so I couldn't get the starter off either... bottom bolt was easy... top one can't even get to it. . .

If you can't get the starter off without help I doubt that you have enough experience to attempt a V6 to V8 engine swap. I suggest that you focus on getting your current engine running again. Do you have the SOHC or OHV V6? On the SOHC the starter top bolt (13mm) is easily removed with a socket and extension even though you can't see it. You'll probably have to disconnect the loom support bracket since the loom is very stiff. Here's a link that's part of my step-by-step procedure for pulling the engine.

Starter motor removal

Read thru the procedure to get an idea of what is involved. Is your V8 engine and transmission currently in running condition? If not, then once you get your V6 running again you could work on getting your V8 running. That way you would gain some experience with the new engine and transmission before attempting the conversion.

 

[Axial32]

If you can't get the starter off without help I doubt that you have enough experience to attempt a V6 to V8 engine swap. I suggest that you focus on getting your current engine running again. Do you have the SOHC or OHV V6? On the SOHC the starter top bolt (13mm) is easily removed with a socket and extension even though you can't see it. You'll probably have to disconnect the loom support bracket since the loom is very stiff. Here's a link that's part of my step-by-step procedure for pulling the engine.

Starter motor removal

Read thru the procedure to get an idea of what is involved. Is your V8 engine and transmission currently in running condition? If not, then once you get your V6 running again you could work on getting your V8 running. That way you would gain some experience with the new engine and transmission before attempting the conversion.

Actually we figured out how to get the bolt off even easier. We just couldn't remember how we did it.. which we did it when we dropped the trans. when it went out 4 months ago. And that's with the driverside tire off and reaching through everything with our 3/8 drive socket wrench. I do have the 3" BL so it makes it easy to reach in.

And Yes we do have enough experience... between my brother and I and all the friends that now want to help. All of us combined most likely have more experience than you StreetRod, maybe not with electronics but with fixing trucks. Though you probably weren't trying to be offensive... but it came out that way. We've dropped sooo many transmission I can't even count it, we've pulled 7 or more motors, and 3 of those we've done complete rebuilds on...

The 5.0 I have is out of a 97 explorer. I have the full front end, framerails and all that we cut free of what we scrapped. Both engine and trans. need a rebuild, engine runs, trans is shot w/o rebuild. Which we can do both ourselves, 118 for complete engine rebuild kit, 130 for trans rebuild, 45 for shift kit.

 

[IZwack]

And Yes we do have enough experience... between my brother and I and all the friends that now want to help. All of us combined most likely have more experience than you StreetRod, maybe not with electronics but with fixing trucks. Though you probably weren't trying to be offensive... but it came out that way. We've dropped sooo many transmission I can't even count it, we've pulled 7 or more motors, and 3 of those we've done complete rebuilds on...

Well then get cracking on the swap or the diagnostics. Between yourself, your brother, and your friends you've got all the help and knowledge needed - which BTW, you should have looked to first considering they are friends and are local to you, where as we (the members of the forum) are all over the nation.

 

[Axial32]

I was just hoping someone (anyone close on the forum) who loved these vehicles as much as I do would like to get involved... and maybe might have some info. that we don't already know... I know that the guy who lives across the street from me is a member of the forum... and I plan on asking him if he would like to help out... as I know afew members on here are pretty close to if not in west michigan.

 

[2000StreetRod]

My apology

I wasn't trying to offend you and if I did I apologize. There are a lot of young and inexperienced members on the forum who talk about performing an engine conversion. It is a significant mechanical and electrical project and many who start it never complete due to unexpected problems and limited financial resources. You apparently have enough experience to accomplish the mechanical tasks and may need help with the electrical aspects. The forum will provide assistance but helpful responses may not be posted as rapidly as you would like.

You mentioned that you will need financial assistance from your parents. If I was your father I would advise you to:

1. Get your Sport back in running condition so you will have transportation for college and work while preparing for your engine/transmission conversion

2. Rebuild the 5.0L V8 (you can't do it with the engine installed in your Sport)

3. Rebuild the 4R70W or acquire a functional one

4. Plan the conversion in detail and repair/acquire all components required. Do you have the V8 engine wiring harness and PCM? Does the V8 use the same radiator and hoses as the V6? What about the fan shroud? Are the alternators the same?

The above approach should significantly reduce your inoperable Sport time. It will reduce the risk of spending money on a potentially uncompleted project. The rebuilt engine and transmission can be sold as separate items if the conversion problems are never resolved.

 

[Axial32]

I wish I had a picture.. it would explain all what I had. I'm pretty sure I have everything that I need, the radiator in my explorer will work. It's a larger than stock one, I'm planning on electric fans, all the accessories are still on the motor. I will try to take a picture tonight of what I'm working with.

Oh, and actually I won't need any financial assistant, I have plenty to do all this. It's just that once I do this it'll be hard to afford the start of school. I might have to put it off until fall... so yea

 

[olskool reddevil]

skool and trucks

take my word for it if its a choice of skool or truck truck can wait did you ever get the starter out? is the engine stuck?

 

[Axial32]

starter is off.. motor is seized... cannot turn over at all, we started pulling the engine out earlier

 

[IZwack]

...we started pulling the engine out earlier

Dont you need to remove the t-case (if the vehicle is 4wd) and the transmission first?

 

[rhauf]

Why does everybody want to do V8 swaps with the ridiculous price of gas now? it's not like the v6's are under powered. i'd recommend repairing (or rebuilding) the v6.