Possible Rolled Explorer Donor

[JoshT]

As the title says I may have found a donor for a future V8 swap. Need a little help deciding if it is worth getting.

Mike, a guy I've been working with for 6 years and went to college with before that, found out the other week that I am interested in finding a V8 Explorer as a donor for a V8 swap on my older Ranger. Well just so happens that his brother totaled a 98 model 2wd Eddie Bauer Edition Explorer about a month ago. Apparently he took out a brick column mail box, and rolled it over. Took a look at it today and it appears that were it not for the damage to the roof area that it could be easily fixed. There is not currently a battery installed and the guy wasn't home so I couldn't see if it would run. I was assured by Mike that it was running good before being wrecked, and was also told that it has over 150K miles on the engine.

Is there any thing I need to be looking for on this thing. Like I said I said it appears you could straighten the front end and align it and be road worthy again, but I'm not worried about that as I only want the engine and related items, and possibly the rear axle. May also end up with some interior parts in my 99 Ranger. I just don't want to buy it for the motor only to find out that it it is unusable. I should also mention that I intend to do a full rebuild on the engine before doing the swap, so I guess I'm mostly worried about the block heads and such. I would like to hear it run though to make sure the Engine Management Stuff is good.

Any suggestions and such as to what to check out will be appreciated. Oh and what size wheels do the Explorers need? Will 15s fit, sure I can pick up a cheap set at the junkyard. The guy said I can use them to get it home but he wants the wheels and tires back (probably because they are brand new). Would just put it on cinder blocks but I need to be able to move it around in the yard.

 

[racing83x]

15s fit the explorer, obviously 5x 4.5. i dont know anything about the explorer v8 but i dont see how it could be any different that the other 5.0. if it runs buy it in my opinion hopefully you wont have to spend to much on rebuilding it.

 

[allnpt0]

Go for it. You may want the Trans-dapt motor mount kit. Other that, the motor, trans and all wiring for the fuel injection and trans control are just what you want. When you get ready to start your build, there will be plenty on info here on the forums and tech library. Good luck and have fun.

Pete

 

[JoshT]

15s fit the explorer, obviously 5x 4.5. i dont know anything about the explorer v8 but i dont see how it could be any different that the other 5.0. if it runs buy it in my opinion hopefully you wont have to spend to much on rebuilding it.

Thanks 15s will be easy to find at almost any junk yard. The biggest advantage to the Explorer engine is the accessory package, it's tighter than pretty much any other 5.0 available. I was mostly wandering if there was anything I should be looking out for since it was rolled. The amount of money spent on rebuilding will depend on what truck it goes into. If the head gasket goes bad on my 99 again the block will be suspect and it may get the 5.0L. If that is the case it will just be freshened up with new gaskets, seals and possible a ring job depending on how it looks inside. If it goes into the First Gen well money won't be the issue.

Go for it. You may want the Trans-dapt motor mount kit. Other that, the motor, trans and all wiring for the fuel injection and trans control are just what you want. When you get ready to start your build, there will be plenty on info here on the forums and tech library. Good luck and have fun.

Pete

I actually already have a set of L&L Products motor mounts siting on a a shelf. Plan to use their headers as well, which may necessitate changing the heads if the 98 has GT-40P heads. I actually don't want the trans because if it goes into my First Gen, the intended home, I want a manual transmission. I really just want the motor, because of the way it fits better than almost all other factory setups.