Lots of pre V8 swap questions

[lil'_big_truck]

Hey all engine experts. I'm starting to think about doing a engine swap as well as a restoration of my 97. It looks good, but i just want to repair and rust proof it so that it will last for ever. So I started reading about V8 swaps and of course, I have some questions.
1) I've decided that if I go through with it, I want a 302 5.0L V8. Would it matter what vehicle the engine comes from or are all the 302 V8 the same size?

2) would I need a new transmission (I have a 5 speed) or can it be adapted?

3) Is it better to get a motor from a junk yard and rebuild it or buy a refurbished motor? i figure, I'd spend about the same money either way. If I got an old motor, I would spend money over a longer period of time. If I got a refurbished motor, I'd spend all the money at once. (that's the way I see it) Also, i've never done an engine rebuild.

4) Would I need a new rear end? Is the rear end from a 3.0 V6 ranger strong enough?

5) Is it a good idea to put stronger coil springs in the front?

6) How many parts can be borrowed from the V6? alternator, starter A/C etc...

7) are the motor mounts from a convertible (early 90s) mustang the best to use?
That's all I have for now. I' sure to have more later. Any help at all on the subject is greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to make an as informed decision as possible.

 

[bobbywalter]

Hey all engine experts. I'm starting to think about doing a engine swap as well as a restoration of my 97. It looks good, but i just want to repair and rust proof it so that it will last for ever. So I started reading about V8 swaps and of course, I have some questions.
1) I've decided that if I go through with it, I want a 302 5.0L V8. Would it matter what vehicle the engine comes from or are all the 302 V8 the same size?

2) would I need a new transmission (I have a 5 speed) or can it be adapted?

3) Is it better to get a motor from a junk yard and rebuild it or buy a refurbished motor? i figure, I'd spend about the same money either way. If I got an old motor, I would spend money over a longer period of time. If I got a refurbished motor, I'd spend all the money at once. (that's the way I see it) Also, i've never done an engine rebuild.

4) Would I need a new rear end? Is the rear end from a 3.0 V6 ranger strong enough?

5) Is it a good idea to put stronger coil springs in the front?

6) How many parts can be borrowed from the V6? alternator, starter A/C etc...

7) are the motor mounts from a convertible (early 90s) mustang the best to use?
That's all I have for now. I' sure to have more later. Any help at all on the subject is greatly appreciated. I'm just trying to make an as informed decision as possible.

i have a little big truck.


what exactly are you looking to do with the truck....is it a toy or a main mode of transport....do you want impressive power or just some nice v8 rumble??

 

[bobbywalter]

1--- well i would start with a low mile 04-08 ls type engine at this point in the world....the last time a 302 came in something was ten years ago.

with some luck you can find a low mile 302 donor for dirt cheap like less then 600 bux.

a decent reman or fresh build will go 1800-18000


2 you want a new transmission....one from a 150 say 97 up with a 4.2 v6 is a preferred 4x4 donor for manual trans....get a manual t case too.


3 if you never rebuilt an engine its never a bad time to learn.

uhhhh in the same breath, the answer in no 1 is about it....



4 if your going to have over 220 hp and use it....get a sploder rear end. if you go over 35 in tires and use it...get a full floater.


5 not generally necessarry...depends on what springs you currently run.


6 depends on what fead you run

7 they are cheap from rock auto and work just fine....best is custom.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

what exactly are you looking to do with the truck....is it a toy or a main mode of transport....do you want impressive power or just some nice v8 rumble??

I want to turn it into a daily driver with some nice "rumble" as you put it. but also have some decent horsepower. 147hp just isn't that much anymore. haha.

Would it mater what vehicle the engine came out of? ie, is it the same engine if its from an explorer, and f150, or a mustang? on the tranny, are you saying that the tranny from a V6 f150 will bolt onto a V8 as long as its the 4.2L? I was also already thinking about the manual t-case. Would I need to get a different front drive shaft or is the f150 tranny the same size? I guess the biggest concern is how do I know that an engine I find will fit in the ranger? also, what is a full floater?

Also, Its looking like it would be a good idea to buy a 90s explorer with the 5.0 V8 as a parts truck. Is that a good path to go?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I want to turn it into a daily driver with some nice "rumble" as you put it. but also have some decent horsepower. 147hp just isn't that much anymore. haha.

Would it mater what vehicle the engine came out of? ie, is it the same engine if its from an explorer, and f150, or a mustang? on the tranny, are you saying that the tranny from a V6 f150 will bolt onto a V8 as long as its the 4.2L? I was also already thinking about the manual t-case. Would I need to get a different front drive shaft or is the f150 tranny the same size? I guess the biggest concern is how do I know that an engine I find will fit in the ranger? also, what is a full floater?

Also, Its looking like it would be a good idea to buy a 90s explorer with the 5.0 V8 as a parts truck. Is that a good path to go?

It matters very much what it is out of, but generally 90's and early 00's stuff is the best. Explorers and Mustangs have the shortest FEAD. Ask before you buy would be the easiest way to know how good whatever you are looking at is.

A full floater is a type of rear axle. The wheel bearings hold the wheel on instead of how the axle shaft is retained in the differential. Usually found in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. The 7.5 in your truck is called a "semi-float" because the axle shaft is retained in the differential and that is what holds your wheel on your truck.

A whole donar would be the best so you know how everything worked in the original vehicle. Nab the engine, rear axle and springs for sure. If you want to keep it all EFI and if you are electronically savvy the 4R70W trans is one of the best Ford has built but is electronically controlled and the whole package as it was from Ford will miss the AWD transfer case. It will take some electrical work to get around that.

 

[Downey]

advance adapters still makes the adapter to run a 1350 seriers tcase with the full size 5 speed tranny so you could swap motor and tranny and get the adapter run stock tcase and keep all the drive line the same length so you dont have to get new drive shafts and what not

 

[lil'_big_truck]

So i guess what you are all saying is that it is possible to get a 302 V8 with a manual tranny and a t-case. It will just take more electrical work? also, do the exhaust manifolds from the explorer fit into the ranger easily? or is it best to get some other headers/manifolds?
My tentative goal is to keep my truck looking essentially as it does now (with the 31" tires and 4x4) just dropping the V8 in while doing a frame and suspension restoration.
Thanks for all the answers so far everyone.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

So i guess what you are all saying is that it is possible to get a 302 V8 with a manual tranny and a t-case. It will just take more electrical work? also, do the exhaust manifolds from the explorer fit into the ranger easily? or is it best to get some other headers/manifolds?
My tentative goal is to keep my truck looking essentially as it does now (with the 31" tires and 4x4) just dropping the V8 in while doing a frame and suspension restoration.
Thanks for all the answers so far everyone.

For as new as your truck is and what you are looking at putting in it, there will be some wiring involved. I have read what it takes, but since it didn't apply to me I didn't retain it. It is out there somewhere.

There is a lot of stuff in the tech library about it, otherwise unless somebody more smarter than me pipes in you are going to have to go get your pole and start fishing with the search function.

Some reading material if you haven't found it, I found the last one especially helpfull with my swap.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/5_0_swap_in_newer_ranger.html

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/summer2008/2_9-to_5_0-Swap.htm

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html