5.0L Engine Life

[Vexy]

I found a good deal ($1100) on a 96 exploder with the 5.0L. It has roughly 165k miles on it. The guy says it runs good. All I need is the drivetrain, and I'm really not looking to rebuild the motor, so I am wondering how long these 5.0L motors go for on average before giving out. Thanks

 

[Jbrown1238]

I found a good deal ($1100) on a 96 exploder with the 5.0L. It has roughly 165k miles on it. The guy says it runs good. All I need is the drivetrain, and I'm really not looking to rebuild the motor, so I am wondering how long these 5.0L motors go for on average before giving out. Thanks

If it is well cared for from the start it should last for at least 400,000 miles. I put over 200,000 on my first V8 Ranger and it ran as good then as it did when it had 20,000 miles on it. I put 485,000 on a Toyota truck and it had the original clutch and timing chain when I sold it. Ran great!!!

 

[shane96ranger]

If it's been treated right (regular oil changes), 165,000 miles is nothing. I've seen them go in excess of 300,000. I've got almost 190,000 on Mustang's 302. My buddy has a 90 LX Mustang with 220,000 on it, and he just ran a mid 14 at the track two weeks ago.

 

[Vexy]

Alright great, thanks guys.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

IMO a lot of the 5.0 Ex's have been demoted to kid/beater status long enough with questionable maintenance that it would pretty much be a crapshoot unless you knew the story on the car. $1100 ain't too bad if it runs/drives good though.

Most of the ones that come into the dealer my brother works at are beat down turds... nobody cares about them.

 

[shane96ranger]

About the only thing you can do is check the oil level and condition of the current oil. Too bad you can't pull the valve covers prior to purchase.

EDIT: I don't recall if the Explorer valve covers have an oil baffle. But you could remove the oil filler neck and have a peek if it has no baffle. I'm thinking it does not have a baffle, because I think those are the same valve covers used on the 93 Cobra.

If it looks like this pic on the left.... keep walking:

 

[Mac]

About the only thing you can do is check the oil level and condition of the current oil. Too bad you can't pull the valve covers prior to purchase.

EDIT: I don't recall if the Explorer valve covers have an oil baffle. But you could remove the oil filler neck and have a peek if it has no baffle. I'm thinking it does not have a baffle, because I think those are the same valve covers used on the 93 Cobra.

If it looks like this pic on the left.... keep walking:

They do have a baffle in them and a long fill hose instead of screw on cap the Mustangs have.
Dave

 

[shane96ranger]

The hose is what I meant by the filler neck - should have been more clear. But that sucks it has a baffle. Dang it!

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