Project: Baja or Bust Build Thread

[DelaRanger95']

So I've got some steady play money coming in and now the race ranger can finally get started. Truck is a 95 4x4 with a 2.3 and twin stick transfer case. Today my buddy and I picked up a craigslist find.
A 1987 Ford Thunderbird 5.0 motor with crank, pistons, rods, plugs, lifters, chain and gears and the guy even threw in a fox body oil pan and distributor for free. The spare tire "engine stand was free too. Only cost me $180 and a 3 hour trip :biggthump
The plan is for a EFI rebuild on this motor plus a Tremec T-5 running to a Ford 9" rear with 4:56's.
The engine is in great shape internally and was just taken apart. Fresh oil still coats everything.

The pistons are going to change from flat top to new dual recess for valves.

The oil pan is a single sump but I am going to hunt down a dual sump for the ranger to clear the crossmember.

The engine did not include the heads but rebuilt ones are on the list.

The truck as she sits now.

 

[DelaRanger95']

Alright guys. Got a little work done today. Girlfriend came over with subs while I was working so that was nice. She even helped with cleaning the block! We're supposed to have cold weather tomorrow and I'm busy for a few days but the engine should be on a stand and painted by the end of the week. I can't believe Sears didn't have a stand in stock. Oh well. Heres a few pics of progress.

Got everything stripped out.

Pistons/Rods/Camshaft is in great shape.

Dr. Pepper holder.

Getting there

My side (foreground) Girlfriend did the far side.

Got the crank out and cleaned it up

Good shot of the cam and crank housings

Like new crank!

 

[dangerranger83]

Your engine looks exactly as mine did when I got mine but mine had the heads and dual sump pan on it.

Will be watching, love a good 302 build.

 

[Scott B.]

The motor looks good.

I have a set of iron 302 heads from a '94 if you are interested. I used aluminum heads on my engine.

They look to be in good shape, but I would rebuild them.

Shipping to Delaware might not be worth it, however...

 

[DelaRanger95']

Well keeping in theme with this years late spring we had a bit of snowfall yesterday. So I decided to take my girl down to the canal for a little offroad trip. Afterwards i was able to get a line on some heads for the motor from a 1988 Lincoln Mark VII. Same year, fox platform, and motor. He wants $75 for the pair all parts included. He says they ran great when pulled from his daily driver so should be another steal if I get them.

Heres a shot I got from yesterday's impromptu blizzard.

 

[Baja Ranger]

subscribing...

 

[DelaRanger95']

Hey guys. I made some serious progress the past couple of days. First off it was impossible to even move in my garage. That's now been taken care of after a couple trips to the landfill and scrap yard.
I picked up my heads today for $90. Turns out they are E7's with the valves still in them and springs/rocker arms. Still need to pick up the pushrods but that'll come soon enough.
I got as much clean today as I could and should get them to the machinist soon.

When I got them home.

Before I touched them.

Nicely caked.

After a little love.

Intake Before

After

All of them before.

After

 

[Scott B.]

The heads look great!

How did you clean them?

 

[DelaRanger95']

Just alot of patience and a drill with brass wheels. You can see it on the floor in the second to last picture. If you use the same method be sure to use brass wheels not steel as brass wont harm any of the metal.

 

[DelaRanger95']

Got a little work done today. Got a valve spring compressor and went to work. All of the valve are out of one head and I've cleaned everything I could on it. Now I'm testing my High Heat Primer and then Ford Racing Blue on it.

Getting valves out.

Cleaned up the spring seats and valve pipes.

Ports cleaned up nicely.

High Heat 2000 degree primer

 

[dangerranger83]

Going to put the stock rockers on or going for some pedistal roller rockers?

 

[DelaRanger95']

I'm thinking about it. If I get the stock ones cleaned up and they look good then I'll probably throw them back in. Pedestals are running $15 each. Yikes

 

[dangerranger83]

They are $175 for a set on summit. You can also get roller rockers too.

Sent from my rooted SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[DelaRanger95']

Still a little steep but like I said if they look a little old or worn after cleaning up I'll spring for the good stuff. I know I'm going with new springs at least. Valves still have yet to be looked at and measured so we'll see with those too.

I found an upper and lower intake on craigslist for $40 from a 5.0HO Mustang that appears to be in great shape. Should clean up nicely if I can get my hands on it.

 

[DelaRanger95']

This week was pretty fun. I know progress is slow but I'm back on it now. The last of the valves just came out and everything is ready for machining. I went today and got an estimate from ACA Speed Shop for Hot dipping the block and heads and honing the cylinders. I'm also going to have him remove the pistons from the rods for me.
Also my play cars got some time this weekend. WARM WEATHER!!!!!

Valves on their way out.

Truck keeping an eye on me.

HOW DID THIS GET HERE!!!!!!!!!! EWWWWWWWW

My little German Mach 5

Charmander of course

She's got the butt.

SRT 8 Jeep, 928S, 944S (Both 1986)

Following a 911 Turbo

That's enough for today. I'll be sure to update after the honing!