efi block questions

[fatcalvin]

Hey guys. im getting ready to start my V8 swap into my ranger and was hung up on a few things. First off i got a 96 explorer donor with a BAD block( threw a rod). I removed the motor and pulled the stuff i needed off it( Cam and accessories) The block that i have to replace the other block is from a 87 f150. I was told that i had to swap the cams out between the two because of the firing order of the explorer motors.
Heres where my problem lies:
1. I assume that i need to use the distrubitor from the explorer in the f150 block to match the firing order. Correct?
2. I was going to "freshin up" the block with new gaskets/waterpump, oil pump, timing chain and what not. Would i get stuff for a 1987 block or the 96 block. I know the oil pump depending on what style oil pan i run but the waterpumps look the same as far as i can tell.
3.I didnt get the GT40 head from the explorer so i plan on using the heads and intake from the f150 bloakc as they are very similar looking. Would this work with my setup?

Both the blocks were EFI and the f150 block is complete. Thanks in advance

 

[V8 Level II]

The Explorer cam (same as 94~96 F150 5.0L) is 'hotter' than the 87 F150 part. It is a better choice for all around performance. Yes, the firing order is different from the 87 F-series.

1) The Explorer uses a PCM fired coil pack. There is no distributor.

2) The Explorer water pump is different and shorter than the F-series part and matches the rest of the Explorer front end accessory drive. The entire Explorer FEAD is a better fit in the tight Ranger engine bay.

3)The 87 F150 is a "speed density" sytem in which air flow is inferred, not measured. Its factory manifolds and throttle body do not use a MAF sensor and would need the compatible 87 F150 PCM and distributor and would work best with the 87 cam. Speed density systems are not tolerant of mismatched parts like those found in many engine swaps. A cam change would almost surely upset the mapped calibration. Even an exhaust change might not be well tolerated.

The Explorer heads, intake manifolds and throttle body offer higher performance than the F-series parts. The Explorer system is a "mass air" system that uses a Mass Air Flow sensor to actually measure inducted air. Its PCM is set up to work with the factory parts but, as a rule, a mass air system offers more flexibility for parts mixing than a speed density system does.

IMO, the best swap would be the complete Explorer engine, harness, accessory drive and PCM. Other combinations could possibly be made to work but I would try to use a mass air system if at all possible.

 

[baddad457]

The Explorer cam will work with speed density, this cam was first used in 94 pickups and vans with it, before they went to Mass Air. My 95 E150 van's 351 had this setup. The 87 distributor will not work, it's got an iron cam gear, you need a steel geared distributor for the S'ploder cam. As for the 87's block, it should be the same (aside from the casting numbers) but make sure the lifter retainer spyder bolt hole bosses are there, and drilled and tapped for the bolts.

 

[V8 Level II]

Yes, the Explorer 5.0 cam was previously used on some models with speed density. However, the 87 5.0 PCM speed density calibration is different from the 94~95 5.0 speed density calibration used with the Explorer-style cam. The Explorer cam might work acceptably with the 87 SD calibration but there is no guarantee that it would. With a SD system, it is 'safer' to stay with the factory parts that were used to develop the calibration.

 

[fatcalvin]

Well my plan was to pretty much use the block and the heads/intakes off the f150 motor. I forgot about not having a distrubitor and having a coil pack(long day) I was going to swap the cam in the block and use the explorer front dress, pcm, and wiring harness and massair parts. That should work, correct? My main thing that i was wonding was if the actually blocks are the same. Thanks for all the help so far guys.

 

[Teddyzee]

The blocks should be similar, except as BD mentioned, the the Ex is a roller block, the F150 my not be drilled for the spider in the lifter valley.
If the Explorer cam or similar HO (351) firing order cam is not used, the engine may not run as good as it should, as the EFI system fires sequentially, and the truck cam would have the non-HO firing order.
The Explorer cam sensor/distrubutor thing will work on the older block. Any rebuild parts will be the same, like gaskets, but I believe Explorers used different (metric) piston rings, so keep that in mind.