H.o vs. non H.o

Darrin · Nov 14, 2007

OK..The '88 finally grenaded. I needed a new motor but for now I can get a 1989 Towncar engine for 100.00. It only has 98,000 miles. My question is I* know it isn't a H.O engine but, after swaping the parts will it work in my Mustang since it has a different firing order? I am only going to swap the necessary things but, I need to know if I need to switch the cam and distributor also. Thanks

Darrin · Nov 14, 2007

Sorry...It's from a 1988 Towncar.

Darkwriter77 · Nov 14, 2007

'88 and '89 Town Cars had the exact same motor, FWIW.

As long as your E7 heads and valves and such are all in good shape, you should be able to bolt up your H.O. parts onto the 'Stang just fine. Be aware, however, that the lo-po 5.0 motors found in Panther car (Town Car, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis) and the Fox T-Birds/Cougars don't have the same pistons as the H.O. motors, so your compression ratio will be different. The firing order between the H.O. and non-H.O motors are also different because of the different cams used, and the lo-po motors use a lower-rate injector (I think 14# injectors instead of 19#).

Basically, the only thing you'll really want to use from the Town Car might be the short block assembly, as you'll want to swap over the heads, cam, intake, injectors, and such onto the Town Car motor. When switching the cam, if you do decide to upgrade, or if you're planning to do so later, again be aware of the fact that the lo-po pistons don't have the same valve reliefs, so piston-to-valve clearance might be an issue if you go with too aggressive of a cam, or any other valvetrain mods that would give you more lift than you can safely clear.

Darrin · Nov 14, 2007

Thanx for the info. Btw.....Do you know what cam will work with the speed density system until I can get it converted. Nothing to wild because I'm leaving the stock heads on. I will be building an engine this winter so this is for now.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Nov 14, 2007

I know you said you can get the engine for $100 but i've seen Explorer engines for a little as $300...and you'd get an HO block with pretty decent heads and save yourself a lot of work in the long run, not to mention end up with more hp/tq.

vristang · Nov 14, 2007

Darrin said:
Thanx for the info. Btw.....Do you know what cam will work with the speed density system until I can get it converted. Nothing to wild because I'm leaving the stock heads on. I will be building an engine this winter so this is for now.

I'd just run the stock Mustang cam...

No point dumping money into a temporary motor.

Just my opinion on it though
jason

icemetalstang · Nov 14, 2007

True....

Darrin · Nov 14, 2007

True. Will the 97 explorer 5.0 cam work as a stock replacement?

85_SS_302_Coupe · Nov 14, 2007

Darrin said:
True. Will the 97 explorer 5.0 cam work as a stock replacement?

I believe it's a bit more tame than the Mustang versions, but i've never used one so i can't be sure.

What i do know is that it's really easy to build a 12 second Explorer engine for dirt cheap....even with a stock cam you should be in the low 13s for dirt cheap. Then if it still ends up being a temporary engine you could sell it or part it out (GT40P heads go for a good $200-250 around here) and make your money back.

Darrin · Nov 14, 2007

I already bought the Towncar engine. Best for my funds right now. I can get a explorer cam from a 97' engine for 29.99 so.....if it will work thats what I'll do.

85_SS_302_Coupe · Nov 14, 2007

I'm wanting to say that the Explorer cam is closer to the Thunderbird cam which sucks ass....i know the valve springs on the P heads are extremely weak, so it can't be much lift and the stock Mustang cams are about .444 lift, so i'd look for a stock HO Mustang cam before i'd use the stock Explorer cam.

Darrin · Nov 14, 2007

I'll keep an eye out. Thanx. Next I'll need a list of crap needed for the swap to mass air. I already have the a9p computer from my '92 that got t-boned. never thought I'd buy a speed den. car.....oh well someone got a list for me?

RacinNdrummin · Nov 14, 2007

The explorer cam is the F4TE truck cam and its not too much smaller than the HO cam, just a shade.

vristang · Nov 14, 2007

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=714792
http://www.stangnet.com/tech/maf/massairconversion.html
http://rjminjectiontech.com/harness_manual.pdf
http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=74

That's about all I have in my favorites on the MAF swap...
I haven't done it yet, but probably will shortly on my cousins car...

jason

Darrin · Nov 15, 2007

Thanks guys....This will be very handy.

ninety15.0 · Nov 15, 2007

If you are going to run the stock heads...there is no reason to get a different cam. Just toss the stock HO cam back in the car. It's actually a really nice cam for a stock headed 5.0. DO NOT put the explorer cam in there...you will be disappointed...its made for a truck not a sports car.

Swap your whole top end onto the towncar shortblock and call it a day. Should do well for you!

Darrin · Nov 15, 2007

Problem is the oil pump failed at 90 m.p.h. NO warning...KABOOM SO>>>>>no parts to transfer. Cam is welded to the block lol. Heads.....Not going to tempt it. I just need the cam for the firing order.... I guess I'll hit Lamotta Performance this weekend and pick up a stock cam from him. He has a shelf full of them.

Darkwriter77 · Nov 15, 2007

You can't at least pull the heads to see what damage (if any) has been done to them? Just me, but I wouldn't go throwing an E6-headed motor into a 'Stang when there's a set of E7's sitting right there that could be used.

ninety15.0 · Nov 16, 2007

I agree...why do you think the heads are damaged or not worth your time. The E7's are a better head than whats on the towncar motor. Stock cams are everywhere...you should be able to pick one up for pretty cheap. And you can find the firing order anywhere...in fact:

HO firing order: 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8

stykthyn · Nov 16, 2007

Explorer cam sux, and I am willing to bet that with new valves and springs your heads will be good as new. if not a new set of "slightly used" e7's can be found on many f-150s out in the JY

H.o vs. non H.o

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