• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

96 explorer engine cam and valvetrain suggestions

  • Thread starter Thread starter dbfarr
  • Start date Start date Sep 5, 2008

dbfarr

Member
Sep 17, 2005
191
0
17
Boise ID
Sep 5, 2008
#1
  • Sep 5, 2008
  • #1
Hey everybody,

I picked up a 96 explorer engine at the junkyard and am finishing cleaning it up.

The idea here is to run this engine for a few years while I address some other issues on the cougar.

So I'll reseal the engine, and drop a cam in it, put on my performer intake and carb and roll with it.

Still, the pedestal rockers it came with are crappy. I figure a set of Crane energizer 1.7's would be a worthwhile investment.

So should I run a stock HO cam until I build the rear end and install a t-5, or does anyone have other suggestions... If so, what springs would I need, or even better, how do I calculate which springs I need?

Basically, rambling aside, what would you do?

Currently I have a c-4 and an 8 with 3.0 gears.
 

tb9050lx

Member
Mar 7, 2004
155
3
19
ct
Sep 7, 2008
#2
  • Sep 7, 2008
  • #2
dbfarr said:
Hey everybody,

I picked up a 96 explorer engine at the junkyard and am finishing cleaning it up.

The idea here is to run this engine for a few years while I address some other issues on the cougar.

So I'll reseal the engine, and drop a cam in it, put on my performer intake and carb and roll with it.

Still, the pedestal rockers it came with are crappy. I figure a set of Crane energizer 1.7's would be a worthwhile investment.

So should I run a stock HO cam until I build the rear end and install a t-5, or does anyone have other suggestions... If so, what springs would I need, or even better, how do I calculate which springs I need?

Basically, rambling aside, what would you do?

Currently I have a c-4 and an 8 with 3.0 gears.
Click to expand...

i would put a bcam or ecam in it,def a set of roller rockers the springs should be suffient for these cams,but new springs never hurt
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,216
17,899
224
Massachusetts
Sep 7, 2008
#3
  • Sep 7, 2008
  • #3
TFS Stage 1 cam w/ TFS upgraded springs for GT-40 type heads.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,598
223
Northern KY
Sep 7, 2008
#4
  • Sep 7, 2008
  • #4
Mustang5L5 said:
TFS Stage 1 cam w/ TFS upgraded springs for GT-40 type heads.
Click to expand...


Agree 100%. That's the magic combo around here. A lot of guys run the whole Explorer engine and all they change is the cam and valve springs (headers and all that too obviously) and run deep in the 12s with traction.
 

dbfarr

Member
Sep 17, 2005
191
0
17
Boise ID
Sep 7, 2008
#5
  • Sep 7, 2008
  • #5
85_SS_302_Coupe said:
Agree 100%. That's the magic combo around here. A lot of guys run the whole Explorer engine and all they change is the cam and valve springs (headers and all that too obviously) and run deep in the 12s with traction.
Click to expand...

What about rockers, worth the scratch for a set of used Ford Motorsport 1.6's? Or diminishing returns on what is effectively an engine with around 2 years of life?
 

LiquidGT

Member
Oct 8, 2007
368
0
16
Near STL hell
Sep 7, 2008
#6
  • Sep 7, 2008
  • #6
It would be worth putting 1.6 rollers on it.

I have a 96 Exploder motor and TFS1 cam and TFS springs, all I have to say is watch out with the TFS spring kit (or heads). It turns out Ford made some non standard exhaust valves on some of the GT40 heads. My machinist couldn't get the valve retainers to work on the exhaust side without shimming the hell out of it (.200 worth of shims). After some research I found out Ford made some GT40s with weird valves and I had to use some -.050 (I think) valve retainers on the exh side to fix this headache. I still have a half set of those things, if you happen to run into the same problem PM me.
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
Sep 8, 2008
#7
  • Sep 8, 2008
  • #7
dbfarr said:
What about rockers, worth the scratch for a set of used Ford Motorsport 1.6's? Or diminishing returns on what is effectively an engine with around 2 years of life?
Click to expand...
depends on how much you bought the motor for.
I bought mine for less than 200 dollars at pick and pull and have all the bolt ons in my signature for less than 1000 if you dont count headers. car runs like a raped ape too.
 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end
15 Year Member
Nov 11, 2003
6,945
1,598
223
Northern KY
Sep 8, 2008
#8
  • Sep 8, 2008
  • #8
dbfarr said:
What about rockers, worth the scratch for a set of used Ford Motorsport 1.6's? Or diminishing returns on what is effectively an engine with around 2 years of life?
Click to expand...


As for the guys running that combo, i can't say since i never asked..lol but yeah you'd probably be better off with roller rockers to say the least. A lot of guys around here go pretty fast with relatively simple setups....take mine for example, i've got ported 40 year old heads with an off the shelf Ford cam and that's the bulk of the combo and it goes 12s still spinning 1st and 2nd.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
661
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Resolved Fixing a GT40P Valvetrain nightmare
  • foxbodyclark
  • May 21, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
988
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 24, 2025
limp
J
'96 Cobra: A/C gets weak and engine misfires under load when warm
  • jruhnke
  • Oct 22, 2025
  • SVT Tech Forum
Replies
2
Views
291
SVT Tech Forum Nov 20, 2025
nickyb
SN95 Desktop 363 Engine Combination - Looking for input
  • WhiteCobra95
  • Sep 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 6, 2025
Habu135
Specific Cam Questions that Google can't seem to answer...
  • ChillPhatCat
  • Jun 20, 2024
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
3
Views
779
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Jun 22, 2024
ChillPhatCat
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?