Difference between 86 and 88 5.0 motors

[mustangfreak88]

My uncle has a 86 lincoln mark vii with a 5.0 which i can get the motor for free. I know it has less hp than my 88 GT motor but for free, i don't think i can past it up. It has around 180,000 miles on it, so is it even worth getting first of all? If it is, what are the differences between the two motors and why does it have less hp? I am going to UTI next year, so i will be doing a complete rebuild on the 86 5.0. What would be some cheap upgrades to install?

 

[7-UP BILL]

The main difference between the two motors are the heads and pistons. The 86 pistons have no valve reliefs ( flat tops meaning no big cams). The bottom end otherwise is identical. In 87 Ford went to the E7TE heads (truck heads) which are better.

 

[89streetbeast]

The 86 pistons have no valve reliefs

i thought just the mustang 5.0's had the flattops in 86 and others were just standard dish

 

[dragnazz5.0]

nope....the 86 lincoln will have flat top pistons....well they might have like a .050" dish to them but it doesnt have any valve reliefs. i got the exact same motor for free and i just used the block and rods for my car

 

[mustangfreak88]

I was going to replace the heads and the pistons when i do the rebuild, so with doing that, could i use the E303 or B303 cam?I will also be converting it over to mass air.

 

[Chietala]

I was going to replace the heads and the pistons when i do the rebuild, so with doing that, could i use the E303 or B303 cam?I will also be converting it over to mass air.

You build the heads proper and buy dished piston you can put any cam you want in there.

 

[mustangfreak88]

You build the heads proper and buy dished piston you can put any cam you want in there.

that's what i thought. i just wanted to make sure