Things to consider for a 5.0 engine rebuild/reman

[Grand1]

I am close to having the funds to have my 88 Grand Marquis engine done.
I will not be doing this myself, as I have a basic understanding of mechanics.

1. What should be the price range? (to include installation)
2. What are typical componets of the engine that should be redone?
3. Is remanufactured or a rebiuld better?
4. What should I look for in a vendor/ mechanic that will be doing this?
5. I have parts for an HO Conversion, best to do it at this time?
6. Anything outside of a typical engine replacement (like sensors, pumps, etc) that should be done at the same time?


Thanks mang!

[sxcpotatoes]

Depends on your budget mang. You can get by with a junkyard engine or HO conversion on the lopo 302 if it's not too leaky. Heads, headers, exhaust, intake. Plus accessory swap. Higher HP option is the Mountaineer/Explorer motor, comes with GT40 or GT40P(orted) heads (depends on year, and limits your header options). The cam on the Explorer motor is also better than the HO cam for moving the tonnage off the line.

The Mustang motor comes with forged internals, less likely to grenade until over 300-400 hp.

[sly]

I'd say build the engine from all new (to you) parts and just swap the lopo out. you'll be replacing most of the engine anyhow, so might as well get a better engine (bottom end too) and just put that in and scrap the lopo.

Typical rebuilt is around 3-4 grand at a shop. engine swap can be the same cost, and if you replace it with an HO long block and intake, and swap the computer with an HO ECM, then just drive off... should be the same price for the swap, just have to use the 351 firing order with the HO and source an ECM additionally.

[Grand1]

Thanks for the info, this helps...I got about $2,500 so Im close.

[Grand1]

Just gonna throw out some links

Like this? http://compare.ebay.com/like/2909279...Types&var=sbar

Rebuild this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/ENGINE-MOTOR...916#vi-content

[sxcpotatoes]

The first link is to an engine to rebuild... 178k miles?!? You can check http://www.car-part.com and snag an Explorer/Mountaineer engine cheaper than that usually, with lower miles! Seriously, I did a search and I can snag various 5.0 explorer motors from the junkyards in Ohio for $300-400! They top out around $650 here. The $400 one only has 106k on it, and a 81k & 98k mi motor each for $550 within 40 miles of me. These were pretty durable motors, are you certain you just HAVE to have a FULLY rebuilt one? Because you could snag a decent low-mile junkyard motor, have it completely gone through/checked out by the mechanic installing it, do valve cover gaskets, timing chain & gears, water pump, plugs, wires, oil, filter, headers, AND computer and exhaust AND tune (flash programming the computer for higher HP) for around the amount money you have saved right now!

If you go for 325-350 hp (easy) out of the Explorer motor, you are going to toast your transmission eventually, so you should save for a tranny rebuild with 33-3500 stall speed converter and shift kit in the future. I was quoted around $1300-1500 for complete rebuild with shift kit and reinstall, you'll need to add $300-500 for the stall speed (torque) converter, but that should handle anything you want to throw at it. Also, you should use the Mercon V synthetic tranny fluid or whatever it is.

[sxcpotatoes]

The second link, that engine doesn't come with a top end, so you're still on the hook to buy/install Intake/Heads/Camshaft and Lifters as well as timing chain and gears, etc. I'm not trying to talk you out of getting essentially a brand new, 0 mile engine for your car, but if you're spending 4k, why not spend 6.5k and get a 5-6-700 hp naturally aspirated 408 or 427 crate motor? Those are my plans down the line. But if this is for a daily driver and not a dedicated dragstrip car, it just seems ridiculous to me to spend that much on just a motor when you can get another 100k miles easy on a strong, cheap, junkyard motor and have money left over for freshening/upgrades/future repairs. Then again, I'm a cheap bastard.

[Grand1]

That all makes sense...thanks for your thoughtful posts.

I think I will get the explorer motor (not from those links) and have the gaskets, plugs, ect done....to have some money for a trans down the road if possible.
I dont need to drag(although its tempting).....just a little more *emuff* before a big coast and lane cruise. I not as lost as I was....will post on what I do.

[sxcpotatoes]

There's a good deal of helpful information here: http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthre...-Explorer-Swap

You will need a Double Roller Timing Chain and gear set (Cloyes $60-70) and while you're doing that it's the best time to replace the water pump with a heavy duty model if you want, and paint it, The BBK 1515 headers I think (or expensive Ford Racing ones because the spark plug angle on the GT40P heads can be a bitch). You'll need to have the head springs upgraded ($70? for springset? plus labor) You can use the HO mustang computer and firing order then have it programmed, but you'll want to definitely do a 3G alternator conversion with a megafuse (not expensive). Just read-read-read up on these forums and start making a parts list and you'll have a good idea of what to do in what order in no time! Good luck.

[mcninetyone]

I've seen Explorer GT-40's brand new still in the crate, complete and ready to drop in for a lot less than the cost of rebuilding a used engine. All you have to do is change a few things around to make it ready for panther duty.

Also, a good low miles Explorer GT-40 can be had real cheap.
And that will give you the best bang for the buck.

Think carefully before you put your money down.

[BigT]

What do you guys think of going this route?

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/LRS-6009E/79-95-Economy-50L-Mustang-Short-Block

They also have one with forged pistons for $1,750. I have the heads on a bench (haven't started working on them yet) and already installed the HO upper plenum and throttle body. I like what you said about doing the engine swap at the same time as the HO upgrade. At first I was going to swap out the heads, cam, injectors, and do a HO upgrade, then later get a crate engine or rebuild later. Now you've got me thinking differently.

[GM_Guy]

Have you already decided if you are going to stay stock or go with an HO swap? (I'd do HO swap just becuase the engine is coming out anyway).

Alex.

[BigT]

HO swap. I got the heads, cam, 19lb injectors, and computer. The only thing I put on my lopo is the intake and throttle body. I was debating on using my old short block or going with a crate short block and doing the whole HO at the same time. Which sounds like a better way to go.

[Grand1]

Besides what has been meantioned, is there anything one would need to od to drop an Explorer 5.0 in a box panther?
Would my intake be cool from my lopo...I have an HO one as well....

[fmansfield444]

Unless you have a motor just laying around I would buy an explorer motor and drop it in. Only mods I know of would be flipping the intake around, and whatever throttle linkage problems go with that. Also you'd have to drill out or relocate the air sensor on the intake. Possibly other issues depending on what year explorer you get.

Oh and if you have a gt40p explorer the exhaust may be an issue