I scored a running, longblock 5.0 complete from oil pan to valve covers (no intake or exhaust manifolds, no accessories) from a buddy of mine that was basically going to make it a yard ornament. So now it has a new home!!! Its a 84 or 85 motor, not roller. I talked to him about changing it to a roller cam setup so I can use hydraulic lifters and skip all the valve lash adjusting, so that is what I will be shooting for. Not going for anything extreme, this is just my gateway into learning how to build motors... If this goes well enough, I will have the balls to yank the 4.6 out of my car and do some work to it. I also got an engine stand today for $50, so all and all I am really excited. Going to start on the top end and work my way down. Right now, planning on maybe a .030 over punch, re-using stock crank if I can, new rods/pistons/rings/bearings/seals/cam/valvetrain. If I run across a good deal on some better heads (I think E5's are on here) I may get them, if not do a little work to whats on there. I want to see this engine run, and whatever it gets dropped into will be kept carburated for simplicity. I was thinking of putting it into my Cherokee, and I am checking on prices for adapters and what is available... if not that, a mid 90's Ranger or Dodge D-50 Ram has crossed my mind. I'm really excited right now. I have wanted to tear down an engine since I had a wrench in my hand.
That cool dude. I've been wanting to find me an old motor to start messing with, but right now i'm just super busy. Cant wait for a build story thread with pics Good luck man
The perfect motor to learn on is a pushrod V8. Thats gonna be a fun build. Im not too sure of the smog laws in your state, but if u dont have many restrictions, I would build it up with some aluminum heads & a nasty cam, & drop it in your GT!! That would be badass, a new edge with a lopey pushrod motor Good luck with your project!!!
If your looking to put that engine in a 90's Ranger you should go to RPS for some insight. I 'm also a member there. There is a V8 section and guys there will give you plenty of help. Pearl02.
Also check out James Duff for motor mounts, headers and oil pan for ranger swap, as I am building a 90 ranger. They have a kit for the ranger to swap in a 302.
Thanks man. Pics will come. I was amazed how easy it was to tear it down. Took no time at all to remove the rocker arms/pushrods and the heads. Thanks man. I agree it is the right motor to learn on. There are no vehicle inspection or smog checks here, so build it to hell and back, and its all good... I would like to go that route, but this is my first time so I don't want to get in too deep at all in case something goes wrong. I thought about putting it in my GT, but it would be a pain in the ass getting it to work correctly carb. or fuel injected. However, I hope this will give me the confidence to take the 4.6 out of my GT and build it... I would really like to, but it probaly won't happen. Thanks for the refference though, I will check it out even if I don't do the swap. Gotta dig through the 1/4" of sludge first... It should be an '85 motor, but that is not garanteed... so numbers will come. It is a non-roller engine though. Nice, I bet that build will be fun. Thanks for the refference. Pics... Cost breakdown so far: Engine: $0.00. Engine stand: $50.
Hell yeah it is. I wear disposable gloves when I work on it. I think it would be a cool swap too, but it all comes down to how cost effective it is. Right now if I did it, it looks like it would be this motor, switching to a 5 speed Jeep trans. which will let me keep my transfer case and 4wd set up like it is from the factory. Just worried about the electronics of the whole thing. I pulled the lifters out today, still can't get to the cam because I havn't gotten the harmonic balancer off yet which is keeping me from getting to the timing cover, timing components, and cam. All the lifters were worn nice except the very last lifter on the rear passenger side of the engine... it was pitted very bad and was rough on the edges. No biggy, as I don't plan on re-using the cam anyway. Lifter bores are all smooth though.
very nice! I've been wanting to do the same thing but i know ill end up spending tons of money on it haha, especially when you consider the tools you need...hmm youve inspired me though i might end up trying this myself besides i have a 98 ranger that is in desperate need of some v8 hp!
Haha, awesome man. The tools are going to have to come over time. I allready have a bunch of sockets, and misc. tools. The heads came off with normal sized sockets and a 3/8ths ratchet. The bottom end should come apart nearly the same I think. I just bought a balancer remover today, a whopping $8.00... Once it comes to assembly I am going to need to get some tools. Tourqe wrench, probaly a ring file, plastiguage, and some other misc. bits and peices stick out. Once it's dis-assembeled I need a dial caliper to measure the bores. I think it's been rebuilt allready, so I wouldn't be suprised if its a .020 or .030 motor allready. That would be a bad ass swap into the Ranger. Engine: $0. Engine Stand: $50 Socket set with 15/16th's socket I needed: $18 Harmonic balancer remover: $8 Total: $76.00.
Hell yeah on cheap engines I have a complete (accessories and all) 5.0 roller from a Lincoln that I traded a computer to a friend for a few years ago. This one is going into one of the Bronco II's that I have. If you do plan on doing a Ranger or Miata 302 swap, I have done both and have a few tricks for the process. I also have a little pile of parts for a 4x4 Ranger conversion that I could let you have cheap.
Nice... I wish I had some accessories for this one, but I can't complain, lol. I just thought about the Miata swap today, lol. Monster Miata... Right now I'm not looking to buy anything to swap it into, i'll face that after the engine is finished. Thanks for the offer on the Ranger parts, though...
