Best bare bones v8 block to start.

[bobbywalter]

yeah......eff the epa.

 

[snoranger]

But back on topic...
The 5.0 is your best choice for an easy fit.
300hp isn't that hard to get out of a 5.0l.
Unless you're trying to build a ton of HP, any roller 5.0l bock is fine.
If you're looking for high HP try finding an old Mexican built, high nickel content block.

 

[Ramcharger90]

Are you planning to make power or just a 250hp to 350hp build any higher I'd would get a high quality aftermarket block. If not then any junk yard roller block will do if plan to completely rebuild deck etc

 

[Dirtman]

Our police force is all ford edge now. Leftover vic's, and the big beasts are suburbans.

 

[Dirtman]

My question back on topic... which 5.0 block is best. Did they make a 4 bolt main? Were some blocks better?

 

[Dirtman]

I've got time on my side to get the best block... that's what I'm asking.

 

[snoranger]

I've got time on my side to get the best block... that's what I'm asking.

That's not an easy question to answer, it all depends on what you're trying to do:
Pretty much any 5.0 block will handle 450hp all day long.
Any of the older 302 block could probably handle a touch more power... about 500 let's say.
The old Mexican blocks (few and far between = expensive) are thought to be a little bit stronger... I stay between 500-550 max hp.

Realistically, if I was building a 5.0:
400-450 would be my limit on a stock block... any of them, any year, will handle that with no issues. If I were to build a 500 hp or more 5.0L, I'd be looking at aftermarket blocks ( Ford Boss, World Man o War, Dart Sportsman).

 

[Dirtman]

Fair enough. I didnt know If there were any oddballs out there with 4 bolt mains or thick webbing etc like chevy did with their small blocks in heavier trucks.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Off the wall, but what I would do in your, um, chowdah:

I'm not sure if 4.6 was available in your year, but if it were, my vote would be 4.6 with a centrifugal supercharger.

If you're not in the mood to build a junkyard engine, second option, and one I nearly did before I found the Eaton superchargers, would be to use the 302 crate engine that summit sells. $1850 or so IIRC.

 

[snoranger]

Fair enough. I didnt know If there were any oddballs out there with 4 bolt mains or thick webbing etc like chevy did with their small blocks in heavier trucks.

IIRC, the boss 302 blocks were the only 4 bolt mains. They were only 4 bolt on 2, 3, and 4. The after market blocks are 4 bolt on all 5 caps.

 

[Dirtman]

4.6 is way too damn big. No way I'm going through that nightmare.

 

[snoranger]

4.6 is way too damn big. No way I'm going through that nightmare.

No balls.

 

[Dirtman]

I'm going to machine the block myself... that's enough balls.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

4.6 is way too damn big. No way I'm going through that nightmare.

Doesn't seem too bad.

4.6 Swap Tutorial

So here is my 99 ranger that I swapped a 4.6 that I hand built into. First off I wanna say that my number one objective during this swap was to not mod the body or frame in any way. In other words everything I did to bolt in the 4.6 was using brackets or off the shelf Ford parts so that I could...

www.therangerstation.com

No balls.

I beg to differ.

https://www.dragzine.com/news/john-mihovetz-runs-6-05-with-4-6l-mod-motor-mustang-in-pomona/

 

[snoranger]

Well if you're going to do a 4.6l, you might as well go with a 5.4L... and if you're going with a 5.4l it might as well be a 4 valve DOHC from a Lincoln Navigator.