motor build

[gt96stanggt]

ok so my explorer motor is tore down and ready to be built up... right now its just a short block.. pistons. lifters. crank. etc. i need to put in my cam heads and everything.. now every cam install thread ive seen says to take off the lifters before taking out the cam.. well they guy who tore id down (and was supposed to paint it) left them.. im wondering if it makes a difference weather or not the lifters are on the motor or if i should take them off???

also would like to know if i have eveything i need to this:
move brackets and accessories from old motor
oil pump/pick up/dipstick/oil pan
Trickflow full engine gasket kit
arp head bolts
headers bolts (4 of mine came off somewhere)
oil
radiator fluid
engine stand
engine hoist
friends(help)
tools (wrenches, sockets, jacks/jackstands)
drinks
food

 

[BlownFiveLiter]

You'll need to take the lifters out to install a new cam, or remove an old one. I bet the previous owner just dropped them back in the bores to keep track of them. You can reuse the Explorer oil pump, but need to swap the pickup tube from your old engine. You'll need thread sealant for the head bolts, and probably should pick up some RTV while you're at it. My personal preference is to use RTV instead of the gaskets at the ends of the intake, but you can use them if you choose to. You'll also need a pilot bearing since the Explorer engine won't have one installed in the crank, so while you're back there, pop in a new rear main seal, too. Otherwise, your list looks pretty good. Now you just need the most important thing. Time