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  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

5.0l Swapping 5.0ho

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ruben Rivera
  • Start date Start date Jan 28, 2016

Ruben Rivera

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Jan 19, 2016
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Jan 28, 2016
#1
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #1
Hey guys I just bought a 87 Foxbody t tops and it came with a 5.0 liter and I have a 5.0ho sitting with 90,000 miles I was wondering what do I need to put the 5.0 HO in my Mustang is something different what about computers I heard that Ho has more power so I would like to use that motor
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
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Jan 28, 2016
#2
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #2
your 87 SHOULD have come with the same 5.0 HO motor unless someone swapped it out. What makes you think it has a regular 5.0 in it?
 

Ruben Rivera

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Jan 19, 2016
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Jan 28, 2016
#3
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #3
I took it to check the engine light and on their scanner is said if the VIN number is an F then it's only a 5.0
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Jan 28, 2016
#4
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #4
yeah I wouldn't go by that.

When I run my codes it says my engine is a V6.


What scanner are they hooking up to an OBD1 car that is pulling the VIN number out with it? I'm pretty sure these early Mustang computers don't have VIN info
 

Ruben Rivera

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Jan 19, 2016
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Jan 28, 2016
#5
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #5
Botch scanner What car came with a 5.0 Non ho
 

jrichker

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Jan 28, 2016
#6
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #6
Simple to find out: look at the spark plug wiring order...

This doesn’t prove that the block is a HO block. Some trucks evidently use a HO firing order
with a low lift cam (this will result in less than the desired HP output). However, it will definitely prove that a block can’t be HO because the firing order is wrong.


Remove the #1 & #3 spark plugs. Put your finger in #1 spark plug hole. Crank the engine over until you feel compression on #1 cylinder. Slowly turn the engine until the TDC mark and the timing pointer line up. Mark TDC on the balancer with chalk or paint. Put your finger in #3 spark plug hole and crank the engine 90 degrees. You should feel pressure trying to blow past your finger. If you do not feel pressure, repeat the process again. If you feel pressure, it is a HO engine.

No pressure the second time, remove spark plug #5. Put your finger in #1 spark plug hole. Crank the engine over until you feel compression on #1 cylinder. Put your finger in #5 spark plug hole and crank the engine 90 degrees. If you feel pressure now, the engine is not a HO model, no matter what it says on the engine.

Using a small carpenter or machinist square to mark the harmonic balancer off into 90 degree sections may be helpful here.

A 15/16 deep socket & breaker bar or ratchet may be used to turn the engine.

The HO firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.
Non HO firing order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
 

Ruben Rivera

New Member
Jan 19, 2016
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Jan 28, 2016
#7
  • Jan 28, 2016
  • #7
As soon as I get home from work I'm going to do that I'll let you know tonight thank you
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,305
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Massachusetts
Jan 29, 2016
#8
  • Jan 29, 2016
  • #8
Or you can pull the computer and take a peek at the part number and computer code on it
 

Ruben Rivera

New Member
Jan 19, 2016
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Jan 29, 2016
#9
  • Jan 29, 2016
  • #9
Sorry been busy with the kids an all didint have time to get to the car but we're is the computer located
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,305
18,010
224
Massachusetts
Jan 29, 2016
#10
  • Jan 29, 2016
  • #10
pass side kick panel.

If you remove the interior trim, you can pull it out. There should be a part number on it.

I think for a stock 1988 Mustang it should be E7SF-12A650-


Top right, you'll see a 2-digit or 3 digit code.

DA1 is for a 5-spd car
DC is for an automatic.
 

Ruben Rivera

New Member
Jan 19, 2016
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0
1
Jan 29, 2016
#11
  • Jan 29, 2016
  • #11
As soon as I find out I'll let you know thanks alot
 
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