1988 B2 Conversion using 2000 Explorer 302

[dSINtia]

Great post SVT. Love the ingenious problem solving at work... Well done! Sorry about the oil filters. Good luck with start... Anxiously awaiting feedback.

 

[dSINtia]

Its amazing how tight things get with the 5.0. Cannot imagine trying to use any other FEAD yet I know its been done.

The BII is looking great, you've done an outstanding job on the challenge!

How big are the electric fans?

SVT said they're 10" fans. Next spring I will change to quad 8" fans for better surface coverage. I will probably try to fab up some kind of shroud but I'm not sure there is space. Crazy tight!

 

[RangerSVT]

Updates. So first thing the lower radiator hose trick worked, here it is installed...

Unfortunately, my phone died, so no more pics today. Ended up having to run to town to get the rest of the parts. Got the oil filters (trip to 2 stores, one store only had one, but had 11 showing in inventory), got the upper radiator hose coupling, and got the AC line picked up. Got back to the house, installed the AC line, upper radiator hose and both oil filters installed, in the dark. Only thing left is the driveshaft, the overdrive switch, which i started to do when i left for town, and one thing i overlooked, the trans shifter linkage. I've got a plan for that, it should only take about 20 minutes or so. Startup tomorrow! I wrote a tune for this thing between last night and this morning, going to finish that up and test tomorrow...

SVT

 

[dSINtia]

Great news SVT. Really looking forward to seeing all you've done first hand. Good luck with the start and tune!

 

[RangerSVT]

What a rough day. Spent way too long on the driveshaft, but got it done. Got the shift linkage worked out, used a combinationvof the original linkage, worked out good. Looked everything over, filled the engine, trans and power steering fluids. Hooked up power, went to start, nothing. Everything had power, just wouldn't crank. Did some tracing, come to find out I had the wrong NSS wire in the explorer harness, took me a while to find it though. Then had some showers Intermittently. Got it all back together, turned the key, and it cranks. Took a couple a minute, but she finally fired up. I dont think its liking the dual fuel pump setup, that or the check valve isn't working. So i filled the radiator with water, and discovered a leak. Its the thermostat housing. Pulled it off, found old gasket material. Cleaned it off, put it back on, filled it up, and again, leaking at the thermostat housing. Noticed a crack, not sure if it was there and caused the 1st leakvor jot. Pulled it off, installed a good housing i had, also drilled a 1/8" hole in the top of the thermostat to help with air pockets from forming, got everything back together, topped off the rad, and everything's good. So i drained the rad and filled with coolant. Took a little over 2 gallons. Took it for a drive, drove smooth, shifts good and firm, doesn't slip. Got back to the house, looked everything over, then loaded it up. Took all day to get to this point, and i was supposed to be on the road by noon. I'll be leaving at 4am and plan to be at Dave's by noon.
Found out my phone dont like cold weather, it froze, literally, can't turn it on, so unfortunately no pics or vids of it running...

SVT

 

[win]

Well done!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Pics or it didn't happen

 

[RangerSVT]

I'll get em up tomorrow when i get to Dave's, got 8 hours of driving ahead of me tomorrow, heading out at 4am...

SVT

 

[dSINtia]

Well done!

You aren't kidding Win! Well done indeed!

 

[dSINtia]

Great job SVT. Really looking forward to seeing it tomorrow! Drive safe... We had snow in Chicago today.

 

[RangerSVT]

So I've been up for 22 hours yesterday, 15 of which was behind the wheel. The truck is now back in Dave's hands. I barely got parked next to the house, and both Dave and Isaac, Dave's son, were standing out on the front door step grinning from ear to ear. I swear they were like two 8 year old kids on Christmas Day! I think they're still smiling this morning. Went over the truck with both of them, couple minor issues turned up that arose while in transit (noticed the oil pan gasket started seeping, OBD2 port's power is ignition instead of constant power), but Dave said those weren't a problem, he'd take care of them. Overall, another project complete. I think i jinxed myself though, as there just might be another project i might be doing for Dave, but thats another story. Got a pic from the gf's phone of the B2 on the trailer at Dave's house, I'll try to get it posted today, still jet lagged from the trip...

SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

Pulling up at Dave's house...

Going over the build with Dave and Isaac...

SVT

 

[RangerSVT]

Offloading the B2...



SVT

 

[dSINtia]

Hi guys. As SVT said, I've got the B2. I spent the day today working through a few little issues but all in all the job done is exceptional. I installed the AC liquid line from the accumulator to the condenser, pulled the radiator and installed the condenser, replaced the oil drain plug (it was leaking like crazy), installed an oil pressure gauge and worked out the dummy light that was illuminated. With no exhaust beyond the headers I haven't driven it much but the tach is indicating high... How do you do the tach mod that brings the indicated value closer to actual? I still have to rewire the OBD II port but that will wait until my next trip back to Chicago. Flying back to Newport, RI in 40 minutes. Isaac is bringing it in tomorrow for full exhaust...

 

[win]

I thought the exhaust note was a "bit" on the harsh side! Lack of an exhaust explains it!

Sucks being separated from the family, at least the weather in Newport will be better than Chicago but I know not being able to get hands onto and into the BII is going to be frustrating!