99 Ranger 2wd coil spring V8 issues

[Rangstang]

I made up a set of mount plates and set the engine on a pair of aftermarket 99 2.5L motor mounts. I had to throw about 3/8" of washers on top of the mount studs to give the 98 Explorer stamped steel oil pan about 1/8" clearance above the rack and pinion.

I then got the trans in and the crossmember under it for support and put in the stock 98 Explorer radiator, fan and shroud. Only problem is that I couldn't mount the shroud because it's rubbing on the fan blade. If I lift the trans tail housing enough to give 1/8" clearance between the fan and shroud, the oil pan is again touching the the rack. If I were to lift the motor higher and lift the tail of the trans higher, I will probably make contact with the trans tunnel.

Is anyone else out there with the coil spring a-arm Rangers having this issue? I checked the Mustang dual sump and it's actually about 1/2" deeper in the front so it would be an even worse fit.

Here are some pics below. Thanks for any insight you might have...

With tail housing on mount:

With tail housing elevated from mount and oil pan contacting rack:

 

[Jbrown1238]

1. Raise the fan shroud slightly on the radiator to create a little clearance.

2. Raise the fan shroud and radiator just enough to create clearance.

3. Trim the fan blades just enough to create clearance.

Are any of those options possible?

 

[Rangstang]

Yes, they're probably options, but I live in Phoenix, so I don't want to reduce my airflow if it's not necessary and I figure with as many guys out there that have done these, this has got to be an issue that's been seen before so I was looking for some ideas from the guys who have had to tackle it.

Besides, I don't like the oil pan being so close to the rack anyway. I'm asking for trouble if I get on it really hard and the engine torques and smacks the pan every time. It just seems like I've got limited options...

Thanks for throwing in your $.02.

 

[Teddyzee]

I would simply trim the shroud. Definitely not trim the fan.
Electric fans are another simple option.

 

[Snal]

I would recommend an electric fan as well

 

[bobbywalter]

make the shroud fit if that is what you want to do.

i dont have the issues you have presented....as i dont see an issue.

 

[Rangstang]

make the shroud fit if that is what you want to do.

i dont have the issues you have presented....as i dont see an issue.

You have a 98+ coil spring Ranger that you've swapped and didn't have the oil pan clearance issue?

That's my greatest concern in the end. I just don't want to cut up the shroud and then make a change to position somehow and then need a new one. The thing is that if I reduce the efficiency of the airflow, I may overheat here in Phoenix in summer.

 

[bobbywalter]

what pan?


theres always adjustment and compromises that vary with actual choices used to mount particular powertrains. in your chassis, swaps are much easier in my experience. any engine.

you made plates to run with 4 cyl mounts, for a explorer setup i would have went custom or tried to make the v8 explorer mounts work, they are different then the 2.5 units.

i am not one for 2wd, but one of my favorite 2wd's was built in 98 (not by me), its a 454 bb with your chassis and the front suspension and steering is stock, with heavy pan mods and over rail headers in its initial form....i have tried to get mike to come here and show it off, but old guys dont like all the shittalking that always went with crossbreed swap, at least till recently it could be quite retarded in the debate department...have not seen that rig in some years, but its one that should be here.

 

[Rangstang]

what pan?

I don't get notifications that there was a response on this site, or I would've gotten back sooner...

I've been asked this multiple times and it's the stamped steel, not the cast aluminum. I just bought a 98 Ranger 2wd coil spring with Explorer 5.0 today cheap. It's a crappy install (wiring, mounts, radiator, etc.), but I can clean it up. This guy used the Explorer mounts (which I haven't looked close at), but he used a Mustang pan. The angle of the cross brace is different between the 4wd and 2wd frames, so there are gaps under the mounts. Even still, the pan's front sump is sitting directly on one of the tubes on the rack and pinion. As I suspected, everyone's got clearance issues...