will a 5L motor fit in a 4L explorer?

[burfordj]

i purchased a 1997 ford explorer sport model with a blown 4liter engine.

i have a couple questions:

1. if i purchase a 5liter engine, will it bolt right up or do I need to change the harness, etc also?

2. if i went with the 4 liter engine, what years of 4 liter engine will be a direct bolt-in, and does it HAVE to be from an explorer the engine?

thanks for all the info, please reply here or email me at bodyillusions@on.to . i plan to start looking for an engine as soon as possible, so any help will be appreciated and assist me in what engine i should be looking for that will be the easiest to install and what years to be looking for.

 

[dynamite196]

You're in the same boat as i was lol, a 5L fits but it's by no means a bolt in, you need a new harness and computer i believe plus the exhaust is different among other things. I'd recommend staying with the 4L, anything from 95-01 will drop in and it can also be an engine from a ranger. FYI i was able to get a 97 4L with 54k on it for a grand from a salvage yard. Good luck.

 

[410Fortune]

actually the 5.0L drivetrain from a 97 explorer will pretty much bolt into your 97 explorer

yes a 5.0L will go in place of the 4.0L in a gen II like factory
a 5.0L into a Gen I is a bit more work but its a pretty common conversion

 

[CDW6212R]

If you do the 302 swap, use a pre 99 PCM. The 99 year started returnless fuel systems, hunt an engine from 1998 if you can.

 

[410Fortune]

98 has PATS so 97.5 is the absolute best to get because it has the return style fuel rail, P heads, and no PATS good luck!

 

[reserved50]

yea plan to redo the harness and computer, pain in the ass

 

[masospaghetti]

Does the 5.0 L bolt up with the manual trans?

 

[reserved50]

if I remember, the 4.0 Exploder uses a mazda trans and wont bolt up (different bolt pattern), a 90-95 (stronger from 90 on, 94/95 trans slightly longer about 1/2" longer bellhousing and input shaft) from a 5.0 Mustang will bolt up to a 2WD for sure with some mods

 

[410Fortune]

the v6 and v8 transmissions are completely different and will not bolt up.
You need to do a search