4.0l v6 to 302 swap

[Psychopete]

If you are getting 10mpg from a pretty much stock 5.0L in a Ranger, something isn't quite right.

 

[dangerranger83]

Well Im getting 10mpg from a stock 2.8, so I know something isnt quiet right. But I have been wanting a v8 for awhile and there is no better vehicle that deservse it then my ranger.

 

[Psychopete]

But I have been wanting a v8 for awhile and there is no better vehicle that deservse it then my ranger.

Do it. Can't wait to get my '87 going, but I am just flat out broke right now.

 

[4TTF2]

so what kind of car should i look for for an engine? sounds like between a crown vic. and an explorer?

 

[dangerranger83]

Explorers have the PATS system in them and the older vehicles dont (pre 95 I think).

Me Im just wanting a v8 but if I can get one that is a HO or has the roller cam, etc...already in it for the same price, then thats what I would go for.

My thing right now is finding out the vehicles with the best combo of things and go from there. I just dont want to fuss with all the electronic stuff i.e. security stuff. But simple fuel injection wire harness and computer is no biggy to me.

 

[Mac]

so what kind of car should i look for for an engine? sounds like between a crown vic. and an explorer?

I said before that the motor I'd go with is the Explorer unless you can find a really low milage CV. The Crown Vic last made with a 5.0 in 1991 and only had 150 HP while the last 5.0 Explorer was in 2001 and had 210 hp. Manly have used the Explorer right out of the JY and many have just removed the current ignition system and gone the '93' Mustang route or even carb'd. Several choices depending on what you do find.
Dave of the Nord

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

88-93 302. The crown vic and grand marqie are the ones Im told to get. I think they have the dual sump oil

The dual sump pan is available as a $100 kit from summit (with new pickup, stud, pan, gasket and dipstick) or dirt cheap used. I paid $20 for just the pan off of craigslist, the stud was something like $10 from jegs last I looked and I would replace the gasket and pickup anyway.

Crown vics are ok for a dink around truck (it is what I have) but if you have any performance aspirations aside from minor stuff (HO cam and different rockers) it will paint you in a corner. For a rebuildable core they are as good as anything once you get away from the flat top pistons and E6 heads. E6 heads (with a S cast in the corner by the valve cover) are the givaway for them. They do only have 150hp, but the 270 lb-ft still makes them feel pretty spunky. And it comes in at a fairly low 2000rpm too... which for a truck (especially Ranger sized) ain't too bad.

IMO, the best deal running is out of an Explorer though. Newer, more modern, more power out of the box, more mod friendly and anymore more available.

 

[RangerSVT]

Explorers have the PATS system in them and the older vehicles dont (pre 95 I think).
.

96-97 V8 explorers do not have PATS, I believe PATS started in 98+....
SVT

 

[dangerranger83]

Thing is the junkyard that I go to doesnt have that new of vehicles, ya they are updating now but will want gold for something like that compaired to something that has been sitting for awhile and that they forgot about (okay they know of every vehicle there my memory and ones that have been there for 10+ years).

And what is the "93" Mustang route. As long as it can be converted to carbed Im fine but didnt know that you could hook a dizzy to those engines, thought they were all coil packs and whatnot.

Im not looking for a drag truck or anything major. Just something that will yell more due to having more ass to smack on.

 

[RangerSVT]

The explorer 5.0L motors are still the original 5.0L blocks, but instead of a dizzy they have half a dizzy with a sensor on top (CPS, Cam Position Sensor), but you can pull the CPS out and drop in a dizzy and your good to go, and have a GT-40 motor to boot...Your not too far from a pull a part, I'd start eyeballing those for your donor. They occasionally have the V8 explorers come into there yard, but you need to keep a close eye for them, they don't sit long. You can get the entire motor, harness, ECU and FEAD for around $150 out the door, trannies are about $50.... www.pullapart.com
SVT

 

[dangerranger83]

I know Im not far from a pull a part, friend goes there all the time and i will be going with him soon to get an 8.8 exploder rear end for his ranger.

Im just looking for the engine right now, get that rebuilt and whatnot and go from there, seeing that there are ton of tranny/transfercase combos.

 

[dangerranger83]

Reason for going with the 88-93 motors is they have the forged internals from the factory.

Now the JY has an LTD crown vic that has a 5.0 and it is TBI and can be easily switched to a carb if need plus should have the dual sump saving me money but i have no clue when it last ran.

There is a Grand Marque there too that is ture fuel injected (non HO, intake dirrection told me that) and should have the duel sump too but not sure on when it last ran either.

And then there a 1985 Ford f150 that is carbed, auto tranny and has a manual transfercase and the owner does know when it last ran and has seen it run this or last year (cant remember what he said) before it got into a collision on the driverside and was considered totaled. It has the duraspark setup on it (same as what I am running) and only has 123,000+ miles on her and doesnt smoke or use oil Im told. Has the AC compressor on it (so do the others) so there may be a good chance for OBA in the future.

Those are so far three good canidates that I have found out there but have alot more hood popping to do before I say yes to any. I know the f-150 would be the easiest and Im not looking for huge horsepower or anything, but maybe give it some upgrades in the future. Good thing about it is I can see it run by just hooking up a battery to it and giving it some gas through a gas bottle.

May return there in a few weeks to see what they want for the whole engine tranny combo if I dont find any other 302 out there that I want.

Only problem I am having is finding a manual tranny and transfercase for a 302. Do the 351 have the same bolt patterns as the 302, if so, that will help alot as there are alot of them out there.

Opinions are welcome on all of this.

 

[RangerSVT]

Yes, the 302 and 351w share the same bolt pattern...
SVT

 

[dangerranger83]

That makes finding a manual tranny/transfercase combo much easier on me now. There are a ton of 351's out there with that combo but didnt see any with the 302 setup (so far).

 

[RangerSVT]

If you find a 5 spd behind a 351W, look and see if it has a PTO cover on the trans, if it does, GRAB IT!! It will be a ZF and has a better first gear as well as way stronger than the M5...
SVT