93 Splash in SC, V8-Swap version

[Curious Hound]

FIFY

If only I had a way to edit posts this could be a lot of fun...

"Installed the new timing chain and sprockets but I couldn't find the cam sprocket bolt so I need to circle back and get that installed and torqued after I source one."​

Trying hard to avoid that problem. I bought a whole box of zip-loc bags just for this project.

 

[Curious Hound]

Mine went from the inside out.

The coolant that came out looked good and I don't see rust or corrosion in any internal coolant passages.

Yes. I'm gambling on this part.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I gambled there too, my Explorer was garbage and somehow everything looked perfect (engine wise, the transmission was SCREWED, was into that thing twice before it was fixed replacing pretty much everything) other than every bearing being DONE... If you want to ease your nerves I would pull the block drains from the side of the block, don't remember where exactly they are but near the motor mount plates, I think allen drive pipe plugs... if there's not gunk plugging the holes chances are the freeze plugs might be fine...

Edit: I was right, you can see one of the drains in one of your last pictures, allen drive pipe plug...

 

[ryan]

"Installed the new timing chain and sprockets but I couldn't find the cam sprocket bolt so I need to circle back and get that installed and torqued after I source one."​

Trying hard to avoid that problem. I bought a whole box of zip-loc bags just for this project.
View attachment 140120

hah I did the exact same thing, but with brown paper lunch bags, and Im doing my best to write what size the bolts are since my stuff is a weird mix of metric and sae. My garage has like two dozen of them around

 

[PlumCrazy]

This thread is really making me regret not making a build thread when I did my V8 swap a few years ago. I found so many conflicting answers on how stuff fit and what was compatible when I was in the planning phase. I wish I had documented what I ending up doing. The biggest issue is how many people share V8 swap info from when they did it back in the early 90s before a lot of better options were available.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

This thread is really making me regret not making a build thread when I did my V8 swap a few years ago. I found so many conflicting answers on how stuff fit and what was compatible when I was in the planning phase. I wish I had documented what I ending up doing. The biggest issue is how many people share V8 swap info from when they did it back in the early 90s before a lot of better options were available.

There was a bunch of stuff coming out when I was doing mine 15 years ago, I think things have kind of stagnated since then though.

 

[PlumCrazy]

There was a bunch of stuff coming out when I was doing mine 15 years ago, I think things have kind of stagnated since then though.

I know the Explorer accessory drive and 4.2 V6 M5R2 really made things a tidy package. But so many conflicting stories on headers, body lifts, etc. Often times people not paying attention to the various Ranger frame types/steering systems. TIB, TTB, Torsion bar,4x4 and 4x2 , and A-arm 4x2 all make a big difference in how various oil pans and headers fit for sure.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I know the Explorer accessory drive and 4.2 V6 M5R2 really made things a tidy package. But so many conflicting stories on headers, body lifts, etc. Often times people not paying attention to the various Ranger frame types/steering systems. TIB, TTB, Torsion bar,4x4 and 4x2 , and A-arm 4x2 all make a big difference in how various oil pans and headers fit for sure.

That is kind of why we started the header swap thread back when I was doing mine.

I recently tried something similar with radiators. When I did my swap the practice was to just hog out the core support and push the rad into that. But I wanted to add A/C which nobody was really doing then.

I have thought about trying to put together some sort of thing with pictures that goes thru the options for the big issues, headers, radiators, belt drives etc.

No two swaps are the same with doesn't really simplify anything either.

 

[Curious Hound]

There really are a lot of variables and hundreds of choices to make along the way. I hope I can do a concise summary of my swap when it’s finished. Some people make it sound simple and easy. Some people make it sound cheap and easy to afford. Some people make it sound easy and cheap. I’m finding that my “budget build” is going to cost a good bit more than I wanted it to. The scope of work has been evolving a lot and I haven’t even torn into the Ranger yet.

But, I am happy with where I see this going at this moment. My biggest “wish” right now would be to have a 100%tried and true affordable option for headers. I’m anxious to actually set the engine into the Ranger and see how it fits, especially compared to how it was in the Explorer.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Cheap
Easy
Good

Pick two and go from there.

 

[Curious Hound]

Cheap
Easy
Good

Pick two and go from there.

I seem to be stuck on good

 

[PlumCrazy]

There really are a lot of variables and hundreds of choices to make along the way. I hope I can do a concise summary of my swap when it’s finished. Some people make it sound simple and easy. Some people make it sound cheap and easy to afford. Some people make it sound easy and cheap. I’m finding that my “budget build” is going to cost a good bit more than I wanted it to. The scope of work has been evolving a lot and I haven’t even torn into the Ranger yet.

But, I am happy with where I see this going at this moment. My biggest “wish” right now would be to have a 100%tried and true affordable option for headers. I’m anxious to actually set the engine into the Ranger and see how it fits, especially compared to how it was in the Explorer.

Are you dead set on headers? I specifically went with cast manifolds because they always seal better.

 

[Curious Hound]

Are you dead set on headers? I specifically went with cast manifolds because they always seal better.

Not necessarily. The reading I’ve done about this engine indicates that exhaust is where it needs help. The OEM manifolds are tubular, not cast log style and they look horrible. All squashed and misshapen some areas look pinched right at the flange. Some if it is probably due to the location of the mounting holes. I’m no expert on exhaust. But these look like something a third-grader drew up or threw up. They “look” inefficient. So, they bother me. It’s psychological. I have no hard data saying they are good or bad in any way. So I’ll end up ordering new OEM style manifolds and that’s what it will be and i will never really know any difference.

A strange coincidence; my 88 F150, 5.0l, years ago, the passenger side cast log style manifold cracked. I ordered a new one. Installed it. And several years later, that one cracked the same as the first one did.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Not necessarily. The reading I’ve done about this engine indicates that exhaust is where it needs help. The OEM manifolds are tubular, not cast log style and they look horrible. All squashed and misshapen some areas look pinched right at the flange. Some if it is probably due to the location of the mounting holes. I’m no expert on exhaust. But these look like something a third-grader drew up or threw up. They “look” inefficient. So, they bother me. It’s psychological. I have no hard data saying they are good or bad in any way. So I’ll end up ordering new OEM style manifolds and that’s what it will be and i will never really know any difference.

A strange coincidence; my 88 F150, 5.0l, years ago, the passenger side cast log style manifold cracked. I ordered a new one. Installed it. And several years later, that one cracked the same as the first one did.

The later Explorers had cast manifolds.

I have headers, aside from the ball socket joint continuously working loose (metal lock nut with a regular nut double nutted, fine thread gr8 bolts to maintain any kind of a seal) and the header bolts continuously backing out and no off the shelf y pipe known to man fitting them they work great.

Part of my pretrip routine every year is retorquing all the header bolts so they get done once a year. I lost one bolt out of the head I think it was the first year we to Kentucky.