Possible easy 5.0 swap

[JohnnyFiveOh]

I've swapped engines in my old Capri a couple times, 3.8 to 5.0 to 351W. Both were with no donor car and searching for odd parts everywhere.

What I've learned is that you need to research what parts from existing vehicles will work.

I'd still like to put a 5.0 in my truck in a year or two, but will make sure between now and then that I collect ALL the parts needed to finish the swap.

What I've found is that I'll need an intake that can clear the heater box (one with sharp bend like '94-'95 mustang or '91 Thunderbird).
Wiring is just a matter of researching schematics of manuals (Haynes).
AOD Tranny adapter from AA - Expensive but the only non Ford part necessary.
Exhaust - This is the biggie! Can you use any Ford exhaust products to COMPLETE the entire exhaust without any custom fabrication?
I wonder why people haven't previously mentioned the possibility of using the same parts off a '96 up EX with V8?
Why not buy used shorty headers, and either good used Y pipe and Cats or even buy whole new system?
The body and mounting points are the same right?
As far as the extra O2 Sensors it uses, just pipe plug the holes and use the other two.
I still have motor mounts from my '88 mustang and other odds and ends.
Does this sound reasonable?

 

[410Fortune]

people have mentioned allthe stuff in your post.

The wiring is a little tricky, and gets worse with some of the computer's, EFI systems, and transmissions.....

The FMS headers work awesome with a 5.0L in a Ex, they fit great, however a custom Y pipe is needed to run a single cat and exhaust with the 2 or 4 02 sensors...(keep it legal in some places)

IN fact the easiest swap you can do (4.0L OHV 91-94) is using a 5.0L Ex as your donor. It has the serpentine front dress, the good intake , and cooling setup

The AOD adapter for the BW 1354 T case is expensive.
With a custom tranny mount you can skip this and modify the front and rear D shafts (weight your options $$$$$)

The fuel system, cooling system, wiring (obviously) firewall, heater box, engine mounts, exhaust, etc etc etc all need "adjustments"

Also the AOD built for Mustangs and other cars can cause "issues" in an Explorer.....

This swap has been done so many times it competition for the Cheby 350 in a Jeep.......
Everything from weeked torch the crown vic 5.0L out and splice it into the Ranger, to the $15-30K jobs done by finatics........I have seen a good friend of mine perform probably the cleanest and most detailed conversion to date, after nine months or so his Ex was back on tha road and he went "a little over budget".

A HO engine was the donor with a JET AOD and AA adapter. Using all custom conversion parts, headers, etc, and in the end the JET tranny was built for a drag car and he is now converting to a much much better suited tranny (no details available hehehe). SO you see its up to you....

But I assure you that there is mucho info on this conversion, enough to walk you through it, especially if you are used to this sort of thing. Research is your best friend.....

I think I researched my OHV conversion for about two years and collected parts for a couple months.....4 years later I am still working on it hahahaha...new engine this time.........

 

[JohnnyFiveOh]

I have a buddy who owns a wrecking yard and could get me a smucked '96 up ex when one becomes available through auction. This would be the ultimate way to do it and maybe use a bauman control to operate the tranny from the wrecked ex..
The only thing I haven't seen posted is if the entire exhaust from a '96 up 5.0 ex would work on the first gen. as a direct swap.
I would also remove the DFI and stick in a distributor and EEC4.