engine options

[flashback87]

hey guys,

with cold weather and winter arriving shortly in ohio i will need to put my car away soon. i am burning a decent amount of oil so i figure it is time for rebuild this winter. i am still a begginer when it comes to mechanical stuff but i have learned a lot from this forum. i have never actually torn into the motor yet so i think the rebuild might be out of my scope. i have been reading where people will but an explorer motor in there cars and it works great.

My question is, is the explore motor an easier option or should i just try rebuilding it myself? Also, the main reason i love these cars is because they sound amazing. I am sure it is a dumb question, but will the xplorer motor sound the same with my h pipe and flows?

I want to do this all onn my own as this is a toy/hobby car and i like learning. any advice would be greatly apreciated.

i apologize if i posted this in the wrong forum.

oh and my car is an 87 gt ttops and has underdrive pulleys, no smog, roller rockers, 3g alt, and no a/c.

Thanks,

 

[03ghoststang]

if you have the necessary equipment and tool along with a repair manual it shouldnt be a probelm doing it yourself.......but what kind of performance power levels are you looking for you have choices from mild rebuilt 5.0L with H/C/I, 306 H/C/I, or 347 route?????

 

[reldla1996]

Think about an assembled short block, or long block, as an option, it puts most of the critical machine and assembly work in the hands of professionals, and the cost ends up similar to paying for all the machine work combined with all the parts. Anyone can do it, but experienced help when you need it could make a big difference on building your own.

 

[Noobz347]

Before you go pulling everything apart, you may want to figure out why you're consuming oil.

It could be something as simple as resealing the lower intake. You may just need to replace the valve seats and seals. A complete rebuild may not and is probably not necessary at this point, depending on what kind of service and miles are on your motor.

 

[flashback87]

Thanks for all the replies. As far as the reason for the rebuild. . .i have to add a quart of oil about every four hundred miles and I blow smoke at higher rpms. I installed an oil catch can awhile ago and there is basicaLly no oil getting into it. So I figure it has got to be the rings. I am looking for the easiest most cost effective option. i am pleased with the power it puts out now so getting more power is not that big of a deal for me. but i might want to put a cam in it so i will probably have to switch to maf.

 

[flashback87]

stupid phone made double post, sorry

 

[flashback87]

Well ive been doing some more research and it seems like the explorer motor is a direct fit except for a few parts that need to be swapped. It seems like if I can get one of these with low miles at a good price it wouldnt be super hard to do.

So, what do u guys think, explorer or rebuild?
Im looking for the most cost effective snd easiest to do for a begginer

 

[flashback87]

Does anyone have anymore insight on these 2 options?

Any advise or opinions would be greatly apreciated as I dont want to start something that is over my head.

 

[94stangfan]

I started a thread in the 94-95 forum talking about doing the same thing. Go there and see what I have done so far in terms of research to determine if you want to go that route.

From my best guess, it was going to cost around $1400 to do the swap, but that was going to include putting new gaskets in the engine. (A good idea)

From what I have seen, you can get a 75k motor for about $650 and then you have the other stuff on top of that which is another 750 or so to make sure the conversion is right.

One thing to keep in mind about the explorer engine, stick with the 96-early97 explorer or you will need to change your headers and those will run about $300.

My wife put my project on hold for now. Something about too many projects going at once or something like that. I will start it up again, but it probably won't be for a couple months. I am building seat upholstery right now. Let me know if you decide to go down the route of the Explorer engine. I wouldn't mind adding what you encounter to that thread so that others can find their answers just like you are trying to do now.

Here is a link to that thread: http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/844956-engine-swap-questions.html

 

[stykthyn]

96-early97 explorers use gt40 heads. You do not need the p-specific headers. IIRC FRPP headers will fit p heads. I would opt for the explorer motor. If you have the facilities and tools to rebuild it will run about the same amount of money. In the end it will be a lot easier to just yank the old motor and slide the explorer motor in assuming you can find one for a decent price. Another thing to look for is an an explorer short block. you can usually pick these up for around 200 or less.

 

[flashback87]

I started a thread in the 94-95 forum talking about doing the same thing. Go there and see what I have done so far in terms of research to determine if you want to go that route.

From my best guess, it was going to cost around $1400 to do the swap, but that was going to include putting new gaskets in the engine. (A good idea)

From what I have seen, you can get a 75k motor for about $650 and then you have the other stuff on top of that which is another 750 or so to make sure the conversion is right.

One thing to keep in mind about the explorer engine, stick with the 96-early97 explorer or you will need to change your headers and those will run about $300.

My wife put my project on hold for now. Something about too many projects going at once or something like that. I will start it up again, but it probably won't be for a couple months. I am building seat upholstery right now. Let me know if you decide to go down the route of the Explorer engine. I wouldn't mind adding what you encounter to that thread so that others can find their answers just like you are trying to do now.

Here is a link to that thread: http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/844956-engine-swap-questions.html

thanks for the reply, i was starting to give up on this thread. i actually saw yours a few days ago at work and there is some good info. i am really wrestling with what option to go with. from what it seems like the explore motor option is more cost effective than the rebuild. i am not looking for huge horse power but the gt heads, better intake and the fact i will have to put a better cam in (which i wanted to do anyways) would be cool. i already have alot of the stuff to switch to maf.

to me this seems a little easier too, but why aren't more people doing this?

If anybody else has more opinions please share because i really want to hear them before i make this decision.

oh and 94stangfan, i understand about the wife thing. mine is desiring new windows and to redo the bathroom, but when we talked about my engine tonight she told me to go big or go home we'll see how long that lasts

 

[flashback87]

96-early97 explorers use gt40 heads. You do not need the p-specific headers. IIRC FRPP headers will fit p heads. I would opt for the explorer motor. If you have the facilities and tools to rebuild it will run about the same amount of money. In the end it will be a lot easier to just yank the old motor and slide the explorer motor in assuming you can find one for a decent price. Another thing to look for is an an explorer short block. you can usually pick these up for around 200 or less.

thanks for the reply. can you explain the difference between the explorer short block and long block?

i was thinking the same thing about it being easier and just swaping out the parts i need to. again, i am just confused why more people are not doing this.

i have a co worker whose dad owns a junk yard and he said he should be able to fine one for me for a good price. he said they had a ton of them during cash for clunkers but the government made them crush the cars and put solution int he motors so they did not work.

 

[2000xp8]

Rebuilding a 302 and keeping it a 302 is not a good idea, especially doing it yourself.
Rarely does it work out well. You need a qualified machine shop, you'll also find that after paying for the machine work, it isn't that much more to just have them assemble it.

If money is an issue use the explorer engine.
To help you find one goto car-parts.com. Then sort by distance.

 

[stykthyn]

A shortblock has no heads or intake. Guys try to dump the block after they take the goodies. Can get them for next to nothing.

 

[flashback87]

Thanks guys!

This is probably a dumb question, but will the explorer motor sound the same as my 5.0 now with flowmasters?

I love these cars because of the tone so this is crucial for me

 

[94stangfan]

If it were me, I would stay away from the explorer short block. The reason being that the heads and intake are the reason to use that engine. If you are goin short block, might as well get a mustang one.

 

[2000xp8]

If it were me, I would stay away from the explorer short block. The reason being that the heads and intake are the reason to use that engine. If you are goin short block, might as well get a mustang one.

What exactly is the logic behind this statement?

 

[ID89GT]

I thought the Explorer blocks were better, something about the webbing or something idk. And I would vote Explorer motor as well. Swap the cam and valve springs and you have a nice fun motor to play with that is better than the one you have.

 

[94stangfan]

What exactly is the logic behind this statement?

It is just looking at the fact that the cam has to be replaced. In essence you would be stripping this right down to the block, pistons, and crank. He is looking for a cost effective quick type solution. If you get down to this level, you might as well rebuild the one you have.

At that point, all you would need to change for a full rebuild (of the bottom) is to change the frost plugs, bearings and rings. Since you are that close you might as well do it right.

If ID89GT is right about the block being stronger, then I can understand. I would just hate to go thru the amount of work you are talking about with an explorer short block and not finish it out right.

If you grab a mustang short block, the cam is correct, as is everything else that is there, so just bolt everything up and go. Much faster. That is my logic.

One thing I forgot is that he was talking about changing the cam, so if he plans that anyway, it may be a good option. I just caught that in reviewing the posts below. My opinion, changing the cam takes this out of the cost effective route though by adding an additional $300 or so for the cost of the bigger cam and then you will have to replace the cam bearings anyway. At this point you should change the timing chain and gears also. Now you are so close to having to buy a rebuild kit regardless.

 

[flashback87]

If I rebuilt my engine I would still want to get a bigger can so wouldnt the explore still be more cost effective especially since it comes with better heads and intake?

Also, I just had the timing chain replaced a little over a year ago. Would I still need to change the chain and gears with the bigger cam?

Thanks