Taking the 302 plunge, any help appreciated!

[jaxwithanx]

I was going to ask in another thread, but didn't want to hijack it off topic.

I have been poking around the past month or so with the idea of putting a 302 in a Bronco II. I have always loved the way the vehicle looked and had been looking for a project...

I bought a nice, straight (relatively rust free, I live in Houston) 1988 Bronco II 4x2 5sp, day before yesterday.

Now after poking around, a EFI Mustang 5.0 engine with the mated AOD seems like the best bet for a donor car. But before I go source out the gear I wanted to understand a few things better first.

1. I had read before the newer Explorers (97+) had nice 302's in them, but they were OBDII and weren't probably worth the trouble, correct?

2. I have seen most suggestions when it comes to Mustangs run from 1980-1993, any reason to exclude the 94-95 5.0s?

3. There are ton of resources on this site, definitely enough to get the swap done. But is there an aggregated post or detailed walkthrough anyone would like to point me towards? I'm sort of OCD about coming through tutorials and experiences before I begin something and the more details and organized I can get, the better. I've been reading through Tech Library's V8 conversion link (http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html) quite often, but there might be some more info I'm missing....seems like someone would have completed a step by step posting by now.

4. Is this book worth getting? - http://www.mre-books.com/ranger.html

5. Chilton or Haynes?

6. Any suggestions, opinions, or hints from a veteran engine swapper before I get going?

I know this is long, not everyone has to answer every question obviously....just figured I'd get it all out there.

Thanks in advance!

 

[5.0]

1. I had read before the newer Explorers (97+) had nice 302's in them, but they were OBDII and weren't probably worth the trouble, correct? The thing I like most about the X engines is that that are often newer and usually not ran as hard as used Mustang engines. OBD-2 shouldn't be a discouragement.

2. I have seen most suggestions when it comes to Mustangs run from 1980-1993, any reason to exclude the 94-95 5.0s? I see no reason to exclude them.

3. There are ton of resources on this site, definitely enough to get the swap done. But is there an aggregated post or detailed walkthrough anyone would like to point me towards? I'm sort of OCD about coming through tutorials and experiences before I begin something and the more details and organized I can get, the better. I've been reading through Tech Library's V8 conversion link (http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html) quite often, but there might be some more info I'm missing....seems like someone would have completed a step by step posting by now. Just jump in, it all makes more sense as it happens.

4. Is this book worth getting? - http://www.mre-books.com/ranger.html I didn't need it. There's a lot of people here to help you.

5. Chilton or Haynes? Neither. I use the Ford Factory Service Manual.

.

 

[shane96ranger]

I have seen most suggestions when it comes to Mustangs run from 1980-1993, any reason to exclude the 94-95 5.0s?

The only difference really is the intake manifold inlet is curved. and the passenger side exhaust has the EGR bung in it. I don't know if this would pose any clearance issues or EGR hook up issues. You could use a Mustang or Explorer (preferably) intake instead.

 

[Teddyzee]

I would recommend a 5.0 HO (hi output) from '86-'95, including the 5.0 up to 2001.

All have similar performance.

The Mustang based '87-'93 EFI is very simple to wire, I recommend the swap manual availble from Harwood Performance (Google Ranger Harwood). It is a paint-by-numbers, step by step style guide for the wiring.
The '96 and later Explorer engine is a great piece, with short front accessories, but the wiring is more complicated for your older RBV. '95 and newer Ranger share the same engine to body connector as the Ex.

If you want the simplest advice, you want 5.0 Motor mounts, Tri-Y style headers, a remote oil filter adapter, and it will be quite straightforward.

All of that can be changed to your preference.

I did a detailed swap, with a link in my sig, on another site.

I bought EVTMs for my Ranger and my donor car from Ebay. All Mustang diagrams are available free online, too.
Check www.veryuseful.com, www.fordfuelinjection.com, and www.sbftech.com for info.

Do a lot of reading, like you said. Read through the builds we have done, and ask any questions you like about the details.

 

[Sighman]

X2, read and then read more! Take your time and have money ready for things like exhaust, interior/gauges, drive shaft, oil pan, radiator and hoses, etc..... Keep in mind you have to pass smog/safety inspection and you have to go with the year of the body not the motor.....For me Pick n Pull was a huge help for brackets, rear end, seats, assorted small parts, interior parts, bumpers, sending units, switches, nuts and bolts, etc!

 

[jaxwithanx]

I really appreciate all the replies. This is my first engine swap and I feel like the wiring and electrics in general will be the most difficult portion for me.

So I see the Mustang wiring harness from 87-93 is the simplest to splice and match up but I do agree with it being nice to find a 96-01 Explorer 302 for the simple fact of newer components and less chance of it being dogged.

1. Does the Harwood manual address those wiring differences or is there any material explicitly going through that method like 87-93 H.O.'s?

2. Can the 4R70W trans be utilized if I sourced an Explorer? I believe I've read it can, but haven't ran across a specific example or method.

I am keeping me eye out for both 87-93 H.O. Mustangs and 96-01 302 Explorers...I could be happy with either, I just want to make sure I am not getting in completely over my head with the Explorer bits. I am an extremely good instruction follower and pretty handy, but I don't know enough about the vehicles to just start fashioning my own fixes. I definitely prefer to go with a proven and documented method.

 

[5.0]

The only difference really is the intake manifold inlet is curved. and the passenger side exhaust has the EGR bung in it. I don't know if this would pose any clearance issues or EGR hook up issues. You could use a Mustang or Explorer (preferably) intake instead.

Here is the curved intake on a '97 Ranger. It worked out real well and still used the factory air box. I'm not sure what accessory package came on the SN95 Mustangs, but I'm thinking it's the same as what came on my donor motor from a '92 Thunderbird. The second pic shows the different belt routing to delete the A/C compressor and smog pump without using delete pulleys.

 

[Sighman]

LOL, that makes mine soooo much easier!

 

[Teddyzee]

The key to doing an Explorer (wiring) swap in an early (pre-'95) truck is to compare wiring diagrams. (an engine is an engine is an engine, so the wiring is the main difference)

For example, with respect to your '88, I would recommend the Harwood manual for that year. Harwood deals exclusively with the 1993 Mustang/ FordMotorsport harness.
Simply view the available Mustang diagrams to see what circuits you are dealing with, then find the comparable circuits in your Explorer EVTM. Not too difficult. The only part that would be odd is wiring up the OBDII port, if you choose. But the Ex EVTM will show what circuits this plug contains, and you could simply add this port in the engine bay. Totally un-necessary, but totally simple at the same time.

And if you use the Ex ECU/computer, you could certainly use that computer controlled transmission.

 

[baddad457]

2. I have seen most suggestions when it comes to Mustangs run from 1980-1993, any reason to exclude the 94-95 5.0s?!

Actually the 94-95 Stang motors are the better choice as they have the shorter FEAD (Front End Accessory Drive)that was also used with the 88-93 T-Bird Cougar and similar to the Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0's. It's not the 5.0's width that's the problem in a Ranger swap, but the overall length of the package. The FEAD on the above mentioned 5.0's are 1-1/2" shorter than all other 5.0 applications. This simplify's the radiator fitment

 

[CHKNFKR]

Clicky!

 

[Teddyzee]

Clicky!

...except he's talking about pre-1995, with different harness connection.

 

[Teddyzee]

Clicky!

...but posting a link to another 5.0 swap is always a good thing. Wasn't meaning to discourage anyone.

 

[CHKNFKR]

should still help out with fitment and mounting concerns. like you said, can't hurt.

 

[cammeddrz]

i believe the harwood book (i never read it) mentions that using a 1989 f-150 5.0l ecm will allow you to use your 2.9l wiring harness (hard to believe but they have the same pinout) and plug into the f-150 ecm. utilizing all of the same sensors and since both engines are bank-fired all that needs to be done is an extra inlector plug spliced in to each side of the existing 2.9 injector harness. several months ago when i was service manager of a dealership a user here contacted me so i could send him wiring diagrams supporting this claim. after i did so he ended up doing the swap, he told me that it really was that simple for the most part

i'll go back through my email (if it goes back that far) and see if i can find his username or his email