'99 EB Explorer Official Build Thread

['99 EB Explorer]

Judging by the short fat valve covers with the oil fill cap boss at a different angle I am going to vote 351M or 400. Only difference between the two is the rotating assembly minus the rods. Both are good tough engines but IMO only 400 makes enough power to be worthwhile. You will have a problem getting a whole lot of $$ for either engine. We just got a "good running" 400 for $100. Dunno what the trans is but the 351M/400 has a big block boltpattern like a 460. If it has been sitting open like that it is very possible the engine is junk anyway (from water getting into it via the carb)

Be patient, it took me 8 years to get a V8 in my Ranger

Hmm...I wasn't told the 400 was an option for that thing. I'll get more detailed pics later today.

As for sitting around, surprisingly, I can grab the crank pully and turn the engine by hand. So it still rotates. And from the feel of things, still has good compression too.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Hmm...I wasn't told the 400 was an option for that thing. I'll get more detailed pics later today.

As for sitting around, surprisingly, I can grab the crank pully and turn the engine by hand. So it still rotates. And from the feel of things, still has good compression too.

Short of dropping the pan and measuring the crank the only way I know to tell one from the other the sticker on the valve cover. It will mention being in the 5.8L family and have 5.8 or 6.6 somewhere else on the same sticker.

It might not have been an option, but a 5.0 wasn't an option for a '85 Ranger either... if you catch my drift. Only the 400 would be a direct bolt in swap.

 

[Colin]

Glad to see it made it back in one piece

 

[Sunk]

Remove a plug and stick a piece of wire or dowel or whatever down the hole as you turn it over by hand. A 351 has a 3.5" stroke, a 400 has a 4" stroke.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Yeah..just got an email from the previous owner. He said it's a 351 and that they are aparantly boat anchors. I personally think they have the potential to be kick-ass engines..if modded properly.

Either way, i'm not interested in keeping it.

Other thing that struck me as being odd was the rear axle. The only access to the inside of the differential is at the FRONT?! Never seen that before. Is this normal for the 9"?

 

[CHKNFKR]

Other thing that struck me as being odd was the rear axle. The only access to the inside of the differential is at the FRONT?! Never seen that before. Is this normal for the 9"?

Yup. Thats how they work. Gotta yank the shafts out to pull the thirds. Most heavy axles are set up the same way, only ff.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah..just got an email from the previous owner. He said it's a 351 and that they are aparantly boat anchors. I personally think they have the potential to be kick-ass engines..if modded properly.

With the 4" crank and the pistons with the hockey pucks fixed to the faces removed and different heads... sure.

Hard to go wrong with essentially a 351C stroked to 400.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Badass!!!!
cant wait to see the SAs work start on that beast.
i cant wait to start mine too LOL

 

[06RangerXLT]

I want that 9". if it was a 4.56 id go insane. you gonna do it by the meet? or just drive down as she sits.

oh yea, are you coming? lol

 

['99 EB Explorer]

No...not going to be done any time soon. I need to save up the $$ to have it done. By the math that I looked at, I'll be looking at getting it done in roughly a year if i start putting away $200 per pay($400/month). lol.

Unless I stumble across a small fortune or get really lucky on the lottery.

The local custom shop that built the Military Mazda quoted me $4500 to start...and an extra $1000 in reserve for the possibility of stuff that comes up without warning.

And no, I don't know anyone else that would be able to do the work for me...

 

[Sunk]

Sounds like an excuse to buy a bunch of tools if I've ever heard one.

 

[06RangerXLT]

Sounds like an excuse to buy a bunch of tools if I've ever heard one.

no kidding!

if you run leafs its not too hard, can be rolling in a long weekend. all you really need is steel stock, a good welder, and a few other cheap tools plus the parts.

we can always get dan with his SAS'ed 08 3.0 to take a look.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

I want to stay with coil springs. And I'd love to get a good welder, but I'm still living with my parents (long story that involves custody battles and court costs there) and my old man refuses to let me run a welder...he thinks it costs too much to run. Also..we don't have a 240V feed anywhere on this property.

Otherwise I'd look into it.

 

[Sunk]

Sounds a like a good excuse for some father-son bonding time!










C'mon, I'm trying to help you out here!

 

[TheTopher]

Sounds a like a good excuse for some father-son bonding time!










C'mon, I'm trying to help you out here!