picked up a v8 exploder for $500

[ashford]

i have been keeping my eye out for a v8 from an explorer for a few years to drop into my falcon. i can also use the front pulley system for when doing a/c and other various parts.

my falcon has a 5.0 and t5 from a 86 gt 100% stock. i bought a maf kit from summit years ago and used on it (stock computer and maf).

my question is how to go about the install. should i freshen up the exploder ingine and install(160k) or put the top end on the 86H.O.(20k on a freshen up no cylinder wear). the only thing i worry about is pv clearance(flat tops no valve relief .000 deck heighth) ive hears of people using e7te heads on the 86 engine no problem. will the gt40p work as well? also will spark plugs clear bbk shorties for a fox?

 

[D.Hearne]

The GT40P heads have slightly larger intake valves (1.84 vs 1.78) so that's really the only thing that's going decrease the piston to valve contact vs E7's. Be that as it may, the reason the 86 motor (along with the later Crown Vic/Towncar/Marquis 5.0's) didn't have valve reliefs was that the valves in the E6 heads are sunken deeper in the heads (by 1/8") vs all other SBF heads. So just doing a head swap moves the valves closer to the pistons by 1/8". Something to think about. As long as you don't do a cam change, or change the cam timing on the HO cam, you may be fine with the swap. One other thing is the rods in the Exploder motor, Ford chose to do a rod swap in the early 90's on the 302, dropping the tried and true C8OE rods for a newer forging. I've seen two mid 90's 5.0's break these rods, and not the bolts as with the C8's. The rod itself broke.

 

[v8only]

don't waste your time trying to put that top end on the 86 motor.

I've had two friends both have ptv clearance issues while claying it up just trying e7's

160 miles isn't "too" bad for a 5.0. If your budget allows it, refresh it. If you're tight, trying running it as is (but with a better cam and valve springs)

 

[ashford]

i took the heads off the motor and suprised the hell out of me it had crosshatch almost(within 1/4 of top of ring travel) the whole bore. yes i now plan on freshening up the engine(didn't wan't to waste a fresh ho if it i didn't hafto)

would the ho cam be the best option for me?
im looking for a daily driver engine that gets good econmy an i don't hafto work on for a long time after its in, the car is a real pita to change the motor. this was the best i could think of for an engine that will put a smile on my face when i drive it. if i wanta go really fast my other car runs an 11.8 in the quarter.

 

[v8only]

the HO mustang cam is a very good choice....but you HAVE to swap the valve springs out to the HO stock springs at a minimum too

 

[D.Hearne]

i took the heads off the motor and suprised the hell out of me it had crosshatch almost(within 1/4 of top of ring travel) the whole bore. yes i now plan on freshening up the engine(didn't wan't to waste a fresh ho if it i didn't hafto)

would the ho cam be the best option for me?
im looking for a daily driver engine that gets good econmy an i don't hafto work on for a long time after its in, the car is a real pita to change the motor. this was the best i could think of for an engine that will put a smile on my face when i drive it. if i wanta go really fast my other car runs an 11.8 in the quarter.

The Exploder cam has only slightly less lift and duration on the intake side vs the HO cam. (256/266 Expldr vs 276/266 HO) lift is .422/.445 for the Exploder cam vs .445/.445 for the HO. Both work great with a carb. Both could benefit from a set of 1.7 rockers (increasing the lift by .030 at the valve) I'm running a Exploder cam in a roller 5.0 in my 89 Ranger. It's a great combo for running around town with a 4 speed and 3.73 gears. Good mileage too at 16-18 mpg on the highway with no overdrive.

 

[Decurion]

Do some research and see how many people are running that Explorer cam in the stock classes. Pretty sure that number will be zero. Ive read there are slight variations in the H.O. cams over the years, but I seem to remember the 86 (speed density) cams were the best. It wouldnt be hard to notch your flattops, but if youre freshening up the explorer engine then it doesnt really matter I guess. Since youve already got the heads off and apart, may as well do a little cleanup and port matching. Certainly cant hurt the exhaust side any. The gt40 heads are way ahead of any other production windsor style head produced before, but they still respond well to a little cleanup work. Add a set of good valve springs and 1.7 rockers, and you should have a fun combination.
What kind of exhaust are you planning to run with the P heads?

 

[ashford]

finally got it togeather

here's what i did with the motor. new rings, bearings oil pump, timing chain. reground valves and the machinist put "Z28" springs in it #110 at seat.
i put the power rack back in the car and i took a gamble and used the explorer timing cover and accessories, it worked out very well. now i have enough room between the water pump and radiator an put the fan on the engine side of the radiator and put an ac condensor in front , whoo hoo i can have ac for next summer now. i used the headders i had. they are flowtec 1.5 shorties for a fox body and a set of chevy plug wires for the 90 degree boot. they all clear, the closest boot is about 3/16 away from the header. i reused the 58mm tb and egr from the 86ho, ill probable upgrade later since it runs out of steam around 4800rpm.

however the used HO cam i got isn't an ho cam it has the standard 302 firing order( ask me how pissed off i was when the car ran funny at first start up) by looks i know its not a car cam(it has a fat lobe, i know the car one when i see it iv'e thrown quite a few into scrap iron). the engine is a little lacking in low end torque compared to the 86 ho and "turns on" around 2000 rpm it also seems to have a slight lope at idle, but i am unsure if its an artifact of having the wrong firing order with sequential injection. the cam when i looked at it seems to be made by ford. it has an unreadable part number and has a line of punch marks around it by the dizzy gear. i would sure like to know what it is.

anyway a few pics for ya.

 

[ashford]

and

 

[D.Hearne]

Ford only made one hyd roller with the std firing order. And it definately doesn't lope. Lift specs are right around .400 with an advertised duration of about 245-250. But it does look like any other roller cam with "fat lobes"

 

[2+2GT]

While your planning, bear in mind the P head spark plugs will only clear headers made for the P heads.