Newbies Considering a V8 Swap, Looking for Advice

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by chuth, Jan 12, 2020.

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  1. chuth

    chuth Member

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    My 16 year old son has a 73 Maverick as his daily driver. It has a 250 I6. He'd like to take on the challenge of swapping in a V8. I've never swapped an engine so we'd both be learning our way through it. I've seen several threads here on what parts are needed to pull it off, and that's a major help. My question though is how to go about selecting a donor V8.
    I don't want to spend the money to put a new crate engine in the daily driver of a 16 year old, so we're gonna have to do this on a much lower budget.
    My current thought is to buy a running 1996-2001 Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer for the 5.oL rather than buying a mystery engine that's been sitting in someone's garage or backyard for who knows how long. My thought is to just to get the running engine in the Maverick "as is" without any significant rebuilding or performance upgrades. Any upgrades could be performed later as time and money allow. Anyway, does this seem like a reasonable approach for a low budget swap? Are there any concerns with using an Explorer/Mountaineer as a donor? Does anybody have any other suggestions/opinions? Thanks.
     
  2. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

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    A known running engine is always a big plus...

    Explorer engines are great bases, especially so IF you are replacing a 302, as most necessary components from early engine readily swap to the later. Assuming you're are using a carb, you'll need a intake & carb, distributor(Expl is DIS), 157T 50 oz flexplate(Exp 164T) motor mounts, exhaust work and about two dozen little things. The Sploder pulleys & front engine dress doesn't really lend itself well to earlier engine bays plus water pump is reverse rotation.
     
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  3. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

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    Your on the right track, buy a motor that you can hear run.
    Stay away from 1997+ Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0, they have the GT40P heads (spark plugs are angled) which makes it difficult to find headers/manifolds to fit and I’ve heard GT40P heads are the worst choice for Mavericks/Comets because of fitment issues.
     
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2020
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  4. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    Look at the 302 from the later trucks too, probably get a better deal on one of those as everyone and their uncle are chasing the Exploder and driving up the prices. The 92/93 truck engines have roller cams for the cool factor as well.
     
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  5. ike72com

    ike72com Member

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    Okay i'm that negative guy!

    You've never done the swap and he'd like to take on the challenge....hmmmm???

    You said you dont wanna spend money on a crate engine for a 16 year old.

    Dont do it Sir!!!
    You mentioned budget and money tooo many times in your post!

    If you do
    Lets see what you need. Engine, trans, torqu convertor, starter, radiator, pulleys, fans, carb, igntion system/distributor, gasket set, timing chain, headers or exhaust manifold, dual exhuast and miscellaneous this and that.

    Whats you budget?
    How long son expect to be without his runnning car?
     
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  6. smegnl

    smegnl Roger Saffle Supporting Member

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    I got mine from a late 70 F-150. I was able to go and see it start and run. I was looking for a c4 tranny and found it was easier to just get a engine/tranny set then dealing with all the tourq, fly wheel and stuff I dont know anything about. I just cleaned it up and am hoping to drop it in as soon as I get time to get back to the project.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. RMiller

    RMiller My name is Rick

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    If the current transmission is in good working order he can get away with using it, should hold up fine behind a stock 302. The one factor that could shorten it's life.....16 year old boy! I do agree, if the budget is a major concern this could end up a stalled project just because of all the things that pop up you didn't account for.
     
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  8. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    tools?
     
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  9. Hotrock

    Hotrock Rick, an MCCI Member Supporting Member

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    Wow, you guys are good; that pretty much covers it!!!!
     
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  10. chuth

    chuth Member

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    Thanks Krazy Comet!
     
  11. chuth

    chuth Member

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    Thanks BBMS18!
     
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  12. chuth

    chuth Member

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    Thanks for sharing!
     
  13. chuth

    chuth Member

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    Point taken. Thank you for the input. We haven't committed anything to this project yet. Just trying to get as much knowledge here as I can so we can make an informed decision of whether or not to move forward.
     
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  14. chuth

    chuth Member

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    Thanks !
     
  15. chuth

    chuth Member

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    I think we'll be OK on tools. Thanks.
     

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