I have a 1987 5L out of a mountaineer going into my 70 sportsroof. The engine is being rebuilt with a mild streetable cam. The issue is the oil pan.... does anyone know where to get a front sump pan that will work with an 86-2000 302?
Any will. I put a 2000 Explorer 5.0 in a '66. Used a '64 Falcon 260 pan. (before that I had an '88 Cougar 5.0 with a '67 289 Mustang pan). Any of the early front sump pans work with the later engines just fine. The FelPro late style 1-piece gasket with the easy-ups worked great as well. Biggest issue with putting a front sump pan on a late engine is the dipstick. You have to drill a hole in the timing cover for a front-sump dipstick.
The issue is the front seal. I’m told that the old pan requires a 2 piece seal and the new er blocks use a 1 piece seal and the old pan won’t work.... is my machine shop misinformed?
The issue is the front seal. I’m told that the old pan requires a 2 piece seal and the new er blocks use a 1 piece seal and the old pan won’t work.... is my machine shop misinformed?
I have seen that stated once or twice before, but I can't recall where. There shouldn't be any difference that would be stark enough to cause problems down the road.
For what it's worth, Fel-Pro specifies two different part numbers for one-piece oil pan gaskets on small block Windsor engines. The only difference between the two that I can see is that the later gasket has a notch to accommodate the dipstick in the block on later engine blocks.
All I can tell you is that I have done it twice successfully with no leaks. (actually 3 times now that I think of it. In '93 I put an 86 van 302 in a '67 and used the '67 pan. Probably used the multipiece pan gasket, but he is still driving it)
Which front cover are you using? If you use an early front cover instead of a 5.0 one that makes it even easier.