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1998 Explorer engine questions.....

I have access to a 1998 Explorer 5.0 (the "P" engine).If I get it,I understand that the "P" heads require either new headers,or,new plug wire boots.Also,the EGR is external on these engines.I haven't really got into the details of what it would take to install it in the Sport.Here's what I would swap from my engine...

-E303 cam (maybe the H.O cam....I'm unsure)
-BBK headers
-'96 Explorer intake (although it has internal EGR (I've got it blocked anyway)
-front timing cover and all accessories
-valve covers
-distributor
-oil pan and oil pickup
-and I'll keep the stock rockers on the Explorer engine and sell my rollers to buy 1.7 roller rockers).

I THINK I'll need the following....

-oil filter adapter (from Ford...cheap)
-spark plug boots or "P" headers (probably the plug wires will be swapped unless I can find cheap headers)


The questions.....

-What effects with a "no internal EGR" might there be?
-What else would I need?
-Am I missing anything?

I figure I can sell some of the parts from the engine....intake,injectors (probably go as a set),65mm throttlebody.

I'll probably pick the engine up Thursday morning bright and early.Pics and details at that time.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #1 –
Feel I read this somewhere before. LOL
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #2 –
I had to do some thinking........So............I thought...............and for less than the cost of new Ford Racing valve covers,I can get the engine from intake plate to oil pan,and everything up front.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #3 –
That was very good thinking. I would grab it if it was me.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
***** Project "EVOLUTION" 1987 Cougar LS  & 1985 Cougar Convertible *****
[/COLOR]
5.0 HO 306 roller block, machined GT-40P heads, Wiseco dished forged pistons, Eagle forged floating I-beam connecting rods, Lunati pushrods, ARP bolts, Scorpion aluminum 1.6 rockers, Comp Cams Magnum 266HR, Explorer intake, 65mm TB, MAF Conversion, 19# injectors, Ford Racing stainless P-headers, 2-1/2" cat-less exhaust w/ Flowtech Afterburner lers , SC AOD with 2800 BDR torque converter, 3.73 T-Lok rear, CHE rear control arms, full 2-1/2" frame w/1" jacking rails & seat supports, Rear disk brakes, Turbine wheels, All original interior w/ floor shift upgrade .......
Pretty much every panel on my 87 is new, rebuilt, or re constructed. :D
Join us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_137541156293768&ap=1

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #4 –
I figure if I don't get it now,I may not get another chance.It's a 30,xxx mile engine.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #5 –
Yes, yes, by all means, buy this engine. Polish it all up. Have a raffle.
"Adjust" the results so that I'm the winner of said raffle. Be there next weekend to claim my prize! ;)

Seriously, I'd get it....you'll kick yourself later if you don't. :D
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #6 –
I answered your questions in bold ;)

Quote from: vinnietbird;290946
I have access to a 1998 Explorer 5.0 (the "P" engine).If I get it,I understand that the "P" heads require either new headers,or,new plug wire boots.Also,the EGR is external on these engines.I haven't really got into the details of what it would take to install it in the Sport.Here's what I would swap from my engine...

-E303 cam (maybe the H.O cam....I'm unsure) HO cam is better IMO
-BBK headers
-'96 Explorer intake (although it has internal EGR (I've got it blocked anyway)
-front timing cover and all accessories
-valve covers
-distributor
-oil pan and oil pickup
-and I'll keep the stock rockers on the Explorer engine and sell my rollers to buy 1.7 roller rockers).

I THINK I'll need the following....

-oil filter adapter (from Ford...cheap) Just unscrew the oil filter adaptor that is on the Explorer block and use a standard FL-1A style filter.

-spark plug boots or "P" headers (probably the plug wires will be swapped unless I can find cheap headers) The FMS headers are your best bet.

The questions.....

-What effects with a "no internal EGR" might there be? The GT40P heads have internal EGR passages just like GT40 or E6, E7 heads. I'm running GT40P heads and factory internal EGR.-

What else would I need? 24 lb injectors might be a good idea. My GT40P combo runs a bit lean at hight RPM with the 19s. I'll be swapping to 24s in th spring.
-Am I missing anything?

I figure I can sell some of the parts from the engine....intake,injectors (probably go as a set),65mm throttlebody.

I'll probably pick the engine up Thursday morning bright and early.Pics and details at that time.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #7 –
Freeek.....I will eventually be selling the Sport's current H.O engine for whatever I can get.Not this one.LOL

Thunderjet,I heard that the 19# injectors are fine with the fuel pressure turned up a bit,but,eventually,24's may just be a good thing to do.I have 6 of them,I just need two more and a Mas Air sensor.As with everything on the Sport,it's all about "budget".I have a small list already made....

-Premium valve seals
-new high performance valve springs
-all new gaskets
-1.7 roller rockers
and a few other little things.Most all I need in big parts will come from the Sport's current 5.0.I'll sell the intake and whatever else I can to help pay for it all.It'll take some time.No money can come from my paycheck.I'll be taking pics of everything.

As far as the headers,if I can find an inexpensive pair of FMS headers that will work great with the "P" heads,I'll grab them and sell the BBKs.If not,the BBKs will stay on and I'll custom fit some plug wires with a wire retainer down the side of the valve cover to keep the wires safe. Since I'm re-using my current intake,EGR is a non-issue then.I suppose it doesn't matter,it's not hooked up as it is,but probably will be when the replacement engine is installed. I still have to tear the top end off once it gets in the garage and do a lot of cleaning and such.I'll have the heads mildly ported by a friend in the next town who's a machinist.Time isn't an issue,so as I always preach around here,one piece at a time.The valve springs are going to cost more than the entire engine does.....unless I can find a set on Ebay or the Corral.We'll see what happens.

Thanks a lot for the info.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #8 –
I'm unsure which cam I'll end up using,the H.O cam or the E303.There is no definitive answer,so,I'm still trying to decide.I suppose I have time to think about it.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #9 –
If you want to run out of fuel injector at 5k rpm's, use the 19's. My 19's are at 99% duty cycle around 4500 and I can't think or any reason why other than the lower had some light porting done by someone at some point. This is with it shooting for a 11.8:1 ratio though so I figure 5k is about where it starts to lean out. I still haven't mounted my wideband so take these numbers lightly but 99% DC is not a safe area to be playing.

I'd recommend 24's also, along with a 70-75mm mass air sensor and 65-70mm throttle body. The 1.7 RR's won't help much at all on stock P heads no matter the cam - there isn't much to gain from .400 to .500 lift. Yes you will want more valve spring although the stock ones should be good with a HO cam and moderate lift.

A guy was selling some of those headers for $60 locally on craigslist in the past - I was tempted to pick them up just for the hell of it although I already had some. Look around - you can find a good deal. I know you will though as it's what you do best ;)
1988 Thunderbird Sport

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #10 –
I would go with a H.O. cam, or go with a custom. If you are going to get the valves replaces, you should have them machined for dual springs. That way if a spring breaks, you will have a spring left to stop the valve from dropping and destroying your newish engine.

I have heard very bad things about the e-cam. There is a guy on another board that measures the actual cam lobes and degreeing on all the cams he puts in customer cars. He has found over 13 setups ordering the same cam from the same place, on the same day. I have seen dyno sheets go up by only 3-5 hp in the top end with a ecam, and lost alot of low end. After swapping back in the H.O. cam, one guy gained .3 seconds in the 1/4 mile.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #11 –
Go for it, but I'm staying out of it on how you should build it.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #12 –
Hey,thanks guys.I'll probably go with the 24# injectors later on.I already have the larger Mass Air meter and 65mm throttlebody.

Kitz,I'm always interested in your ideas.PM me if you have anything to pass along.I'm still into the idea and info gathering phase of the whole project.Time is not a factor.

Haystack....I would like the double valve springs,but,it'll come down to budget.When it comes time to buy the springs,we'll see what fits into the budget.Too early to tell.As most of you know,I don't use money from my paycheck,so,I have to get creative and really search for the best deals.Ebay and are are TIGHT.I'll pick the engine up Thursday morning and remove the heads and intake and then go from there.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #13 –
Sorry, I am not trying to pretend to be any engine builder or anything like that. You could go with whatever cam you want, that is just what I would do. Sorry if I came acrossed that way.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

1998 Explorer engine questions.....

Reply #14 –
No worries Haystack.I didn't take what you said any other way than trying to to help.I'll listen to any advice about the project.Some I may be able to use,some I may not.It's too early in to it to make any solid decisions.As far as the cam goes.I'd love to have a custom cam,and maybe before it's over,I can.I have a good friend who had one made for his application.Less than $300.00. I have to get on the ball and sell some parts to make that happen.Thanks.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..