5.0 EFI upgrades

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Soo… finally got back to trying to work on this project. Pulled the harmonic damper, pulled the last bolts for the timing chain cover, double checked, and tried wiggling it free only to have a corner break off. As luck would have it, the timing chain also appears to have a pretty good amount of slack to my uneducated eyes. So I guess that needs done, although there seems to be hundreds of listings for them on Summit Racing.

Here is where I’m at now. Thinking I want to do roller rockers, new valve springs and retainers, timing chain or gears, and a new/used timing chain cover. Possibly a cam. Deal with throttle body and such later. Can anyone give me part numbers or something for like Summit or wherever to get what I need? I’ve tried looking but I confess I don’t really know much about this and worry about getting the wrong parts. There’s a lot of parts that have multiple listings and I have no idea what the difference is other than the part number, especially the timing chain stuff. Doesn’t help that I’m still dealing with a lot of brain problems from my double concussions. I like getting stuff from Summit since they are kinda convenient, but if somewhere else has a better product or price, I’m not opposed to ordering from whoever. Just not precisely sure what exactly I need.

 

[fastpakr]

If you need the roller rockers to bolt on and not deal with studs, etc, this is it:

Scorpion Racing Products SCP1021 Scorpion Race Series Rocker Arms | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Scorpion Race Series Rocker Arms with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Rocker Arms at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Alex's parts will set you up with valve springs and such if you tell them the cam and everything that you're working with. They've got a good reputation and I was very happy with them.

No idea on timing chain cover...

I'd consider getting an adjustable timing setup. Pretty sure I'd be happier if I'd properly degreed my cam and used a kit like that to get everything dialed in just right instead of trusting that dot to dot was good enough.

 

[fastpakr]

Oh, and valve covers can be a nightmare with the roller rockers. Supposedly there's a stock Mustang cast aluminum cover that works, but I ordered the wrong set and ended up going a different direction. The Spectre covers I've got are good quality and plenty of room for the rockers, but they created new problems to solve with EGR fitment, etc.

Once you've got taller valve covers to clear the rockers, you'll probably have to get an Edelbrock EGR spacer.

It's a cascading series of small problems to work through.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Oh, and valve covers can be a nightmare with the roller rockers. Supposedly there's a stock Mustang cast aluminum cover that works, but I ordered the wrong set and ended up going a different direction. The Spectre covers I've got are good quality and plenty of room for the rockers, but they created new problems to solve with EGR fitment, etc.

Once you've got taller valve covers to clear the rockers, you'll probably have to get an Edelbrock EGR spacer.

It's a cascading series of small problems to work through.

Well, EGR is not part of my plan for this motor. It was broken on the donor and the headers don’t have an option for it. So the plan was to just go ahead and delete, save me a few headaches. Plus it will help with heater hose routing since my metal tubes were looking pretty poorly and I’m looking at changing the setup there a little. Not quite sure what all of my options are there, was in the process of trying to work out if I could use some -AN fittings and aluminum tube to replace the steel tubes when I had my concussions.

 

[fastpakr]

Well, EGR is not part of my plan for this motor. It was broken on the donor and the headers don’t have an option for it. So the plan was to just go ahead and delete, save me a few headaches. Plus it will help with heater hose routing since my metal tubes were looking pretty poorly and I’m looking at changing the setup there a little. Not quite sure what all of my options are there, was in the process of trying to work out if I could use some -AN fittings and aluminum tube to replace the steel tubes when I had my concussions.

If you can find these for a good price, I like them a lot:

Spectre Performance 5018 Spectre Performance Aluminum Valve Covers | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Spectre Performance Aluminum Valve Covers with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Valve Covers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

The only quality issue I ran into was that the valve cover bolt holes were just a hair too small. Easy to expand.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Well, the motor is going back together. Kind of. Gave the valves a quick peek and the exhaust valves are pretty pitted. Intake looks good though. Probably going to end up just giving them a quick grind and roll. Need to get this thing back together. I do have a line on another motor to use to build, so I think performance is going to move that direction.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So for anyone who stumbles across this…

I ran out of time and money so cam, rockers and such didn’t happen yet. 3.73s and an un-modded transmission work ok with 31s, but not the greatest. No worries though, the 31s are a little too big now that it’s been lowered. In short, they rub. But that’s not a problem either, I figured smaller tires were going to be needed. Realistically, after lowering it with the Explorer suspension goodies, it needs 29” tires and bigger rims, there’s waaay lots of sidewall flex. So with some transmission work and other tweaks, some wide 29” tires on 18” Explorer rims and it should be good and happy. @holyford86 got to drive it as it currently is and agrees.