5.0 Swap

[WNGLDR]

I'm new to this posting/thread stuff so forgive me if Im doing this wrong.
It's beginning to get expensive replacing heads every year on my 98 4.0 so I was able to get the majority of the drivetrain from a 96' F-150. I have the 5.0 engine, tranny, transfer case, front drive shaft and computer. I also have the wiring harness although when it was removed the kid that took it off used a pair of wire cutters instead of doing it the right way.

I'm looking for any suggestions from people on this swap. I already have the engine torn down to the block but that's about all I've done with it. I think I finally have enough cash to do the swap with this years tax return so I'm excited to get this ball rolling. My intentions are to go with an electric fan to free up a couple extra horses and I'd love to put a pair of exhaust cut-outs on it as well but I want to keep everything under the hood so it's a sleeper until I flip the switch and uncork the exhaust. If I have enough money I want to go with a stroker kit as well.

I'm not a professional mechanic but I love turning wrenches and do most of the work on my families vehicles. I'm pretty mechanically minded so this has saved us several thousand dollars of the past few years, but due to lack of time and back injury that is progressively getting worse, I'm enjoying this hobby as long as I can.

I'll stop blabbing now because I'm not even sure if I'm posting this in the right area. Any help someone can give me in the way of suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, JJ.

 

[77'cj7]

I would recommend trying to get an explorer engine and trans, as it will make the swap basically bolt in.

Here's a good tech article. http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/5_0_swap_in_newer_ranger.html

Searching in the v8 conversion forums will bring up several writeups on these swaps, including my own.

EDIT:
Went ahead and looked up a few threads for ya.

My own swap, also a 98 truck.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67738

Mudslanger's swap, which was helpful for me. Wiring and fuel is a bit different, as its a 2000.
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57761

 

[mkaresh]

Replacing heads every year?

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, why are you blowing heads out like that?

Sounds like a bigger problem.

 

[WNGLDR]

I've talked to several people who've had this issue and several that say it's not a known problem. I've popped three heads now, each one between the intake and exhaust valves. The last time I did the swap the folks at the head place said "we go through a lot of these" which is NOT what I wanted to hear. I've done a lot of research already and even went as far as buying a shop manual for the F-150 the engine came out of and made up a schematic of the engine wiring diagram showing the changes that need to be made. I heard that Ford Racing makes a wiring harness for this swap but I haven't made the call yet. Not sure I do as I'm sure they want an arm and a leg for it.

The option of getting a donor Exploder/Mountanier is not in the cards right now due to the cost though I know this would be the best way to go. I've been very tempted to just go with a carb and dump the FI but I like the reliability and other benefits that FI gives. I do love the sound of a healthy cam though.

I would love to get the head issue fixed so I can get a couple $$ back and sell the 4.0 but it popped a code when my wife took it to town. I pulled the codes with my scanner and got: "P0340 Cam position sensor A Bank 1 cirquit malfunction" and "P1309 Manufactor controlled ignition system or misfire". When I step on the throttle I get a slight hesitation but other than that it seems to run ok but I haven't driven the truck in over a month but I'm wondering if it didn't jump time on me. I might be a little too honest for my own good but I can't sell that engine to someone knowing that there's something wrong with it. On top of that, I'm using up anti-freeze again so it looks like it might need yet enother set of heads.

Now for the "fluff", I've been the TRS too many times to count and am amazed at all the data and help that everyone gives and receives here, it's great. I was actually directed here from what used to be "fordranger.com" that shut down a long time ago.

Thanks again to all that can offer help and yes I do intend to post my progress with pics as time allows once I get the ball rolling on this project, JJ.

 

[adsm08]

I've never seen that happen. That's an odd one.

 

[WNGLDR]

In regards to the 4.0 that's in it now, I guess I'm going to have to just take it for a long drive to see if the engine is ok. Even though I'm going to do the swap, I'd rather not have this engine go on me. I appreciate everyone's help and brain picking, JJ.

 

[WNGLDR]

Hey all, I just noticed a V-8 swap section. I guess I should have started this thread there instead. I will do so when I get more time. Thanks again, JJ.

 

[Mac]

Well Welcome and get on down there, right now! What you want to do has been covered several times.
Dave