Best bare bones v8 block to start.

[Dirtman]

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I feel rejected.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

As far as reliability and simplicity, I think this is a good deal with forged pistons. Plus it's upgradeable if you choose. Saves a guy a lot of time and headaches buying one that's ready to bolt parts on to...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302-306-Fo...790625?hash=item4b558c13a1:g:cQQAAOSwWI5b8g4J

Or start with this block if you might ever get crazy building power:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dart-31364...875818&hash=item1a84ac8dce:g:rxgAAOSwpYtdg966

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

View attachment 32826

I'd stick with a Ford engine... GAA aluminum V8, 1100 cubic inch, 500hp

Roller cam 302 gets my vote, doesn't really matter what it is out of if you are going to rebuild it. If to put it in your '09 an Explorer donor would have the most parts to make it happen but your truck would have more electrical issues to deal with than one of Explorer vintage.

 

[19Walt93]

If you want to use a 5.0 I'd go with an 85 or newer block to get one that has a one piece rear main seal and that's roller cam compatible. I wouldn't worry about needing 4 bolt mains, I've seen a bunch of Fox Mustangs with over 100,000 miles run 11 second quarter miles with a bolt on supercharger. The 81 and newer blocks with one piece rear seals are also lighter than the older engines. If you can stand a 2 piece rear seal and having to buy conversion roller lifters, stay away from 73-76 blocks because they had an extra .023" of deck height to drop the compression. If you're building a high rpm beast Ford offers the new Boss block, how fast is your budget?

 

[G8orFord]

The mains on a 302/5.0 aren't a big problem. It's those itty bitty 5/16" rod bolts.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Doomsday Hemi.....

 

[bobbywalter]

if you really want a small block ranger and as a bonus...emission compatible....







your title....
Best bare bones v8 block to start.










































5.3 gm......

























best 302 stock block...if it was a 302......








every 302 block wishes it was a 5.3.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

5.3 gm......

I think I just died inside.

 

[G8orFord]

every 302 block wishes it was a 5.3.

@bobbywalter I think they might start wishing they were a 5.2.
2020 Shelby GT500

Maybe not a Demon killer, but it'll probably hold up pretty well to the HellCat and do it with less displacement. (unless you count the supercharger)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

@bobbywalter I think they might start wishing they were a 5.2.
2020 Shelby GT500

Maybe not a Demon killer, but it'll probably hold up pretty well to the HellCat and do it with less displacement. (unless you count the supercharger)

Just another boutique engine, see also 13-14 Shelby 5.8.

4.8's/5.3's grow on trees, stupid common everywhere.

I have mulled an Explorer family wheeler build and a later model GM powerplant is pretty tempting.

 

[G8orFord]

Just another boutique engine, see also 13-14 Shelby 5.8.

4.8's/5.3's grow on trees, stupid common everywhere.

I have mulled an Explorer family wheeler build and a later model GM powerplant is pretty tempting.

Boutique for sure, but if I were a 302 I'd still aspire to be one. LOL

If you're gonna go with an LS, you might as well go with a 6.0. Maybe not as readily available as the 4.8/5.3, but there are plenty of them out there, since anyone who's ever had one in a 3/4 ton truck, knows that's not where it belongs.

 

[Dirtman]

Well you were all a tremendous lack of help. So I stopped at pick apart on the way home just to "look" and there was a 92 mustang gt with the motor 90% pulled already. I asked the kid what he would want to finish taking it out and load it into my truck. He said 50 bucks and I said you gotta deal! He just ripped it out with the bulldozer.

125 for the motor, 50 to pull it, I plan to sell anything salvageable except the block, crank, and heads....

When I get it stripped I'm taking it to get fluxed and that will be the only time anyone else touches this engine. When that's done I'll start measuring and testing to see what machine work needs to be done. The only thing I can't physically do is line bore. My lathe could do it but the parts and tooling to set it up for that are astronomical. Were talking 10 grand minimu plus making custom carriages. So if the block is that bad itll go in the pond for the fish...

It will probably just sit in my garage for 15 years and go no where though.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you're gonna go with an LS, you might as well go with a 6.0. Maybe not as readily available as the 4.8/5.3, but there are plenty of them out there, since anyone who's ever had one in a 3/4 ton truck, knows that's not where it belongs.

Having not really looked into it too hard I think a 4.8 would be "enough" for a first gen Explorer, easier to cool and maybe cheaper to buy and would probably be my preference.

Something compact enough to fit in the rather tight engine bay, new enough to not be totally shot/off the shelf parts supply and enough power to get out of its own way on 33's or 35's.

 

[Dirtman]

Now to find a nice matching c4 to rebuild but will also inevitably end up in the corner of the garage for 15 years...