OK, Before I decide to take this van with the 5.0L/AOD combo, I was wondering if anyone knows what the difference (internal) between the Mustang 5L and the Truck 5L, I know that the firing order is different on the HO motor (so cam and crank?), but what else? I just don't want to pull the engine out of the truck if it's not going to be any good. I'll rebuild it before I put it in the Mav, but if it's not worth it..it's not worth the trouble..
I'm gonna guess a more torque-oriented cam,cast pistons,not so good heads.Crank/rods are probably the same.If you're going to use the FI on your car the van intake is probably too tall to fit under your hood.For a(carbed) cruiser I'd say go ahead & get it,otherwise hold out for an '85-'94 mustang,'89-'93 T-bird orExplorer/Mountaineer motor.
Why those specific years? I have always heard '87 - '95 Mustangs. Also don't forget the 2 door Lincolns that had HO's in the early 90's. And from what I have seen, the Explorer/Mountaineers had good motors in them all the way up to '96 or '97.
87-92 HOs are the way to go. They have all the good stuff, assuming you are not going to replace everything with the rebuild anyway. Roller cam Okay heads (for stock) Forged pistons Intake that will fit under hood W firing order With all that said, you need to consider some things... I'll go in order of that list: *The van has a roller block. So if you didn't want to use the bone stock cam anyway, you have the right block without going to HO. *Trucks and vans got the same head specs around 90, so no big gain. Not like the heads are anything super anyway. *HO forged pistons used until 92 are only a plus if the block and pistons can go back stock bore. So the truck engine having cast pistons might not be a drawback if you have to overbore anyway. *The truck/van intake lower manifold is much better flowing than a stock HO lower. The Holley upper can be used with a truck lower for best results. Otherwise use a GT40 from a late Exploder. *W firing order comes with whatever cam you use, not block. Fwiw: Later blocks and parts are thinner for weight savings. Truck engines have knock sensors and the computer needs that input to run best. Some later HOs use these sensors too I believe, but you need to know what you are working with if you keep the EFI. If you plan on using the EFI, you need to know if the engine is mass air or speed density. Mass air came on HO EFIs long before trucks got MAF. SD was on trucks for a few years. SD doesn't allow the engine to be modded while running the stock computer. The kit to convert to MAF from SD is expensive. I don't know which system is used on 93 trucks. If it is speed density (and you want to use EFI), I would seriously consider passing to find a MAF donor system. You can bolt it straight in and it will take to any mods you want to do. It is much more flexible. 86 HOs were the first roller cams. They are the most radical stock roller cam. 87up guys used to put the 86 cam into their engines for a little boost without the expense of a new roller cam. Dave Edit: Forgot about the reverse water pump and related parts used on the truck engines. Trucks also came with double row true roller timing chains, but that does no good when you are replacing everything anyway. I am pretty sure Stangs had reversed pump and such as well, but many larger cars used regular water pumps well beyond the trucks and Stangs. Crown Vic 5.0s used them right up until the Mod engines replaced 5.0s, so it is a mixture out there. When I put a car engine in my EFI truck, I had to use the trucks timing cover and water pump, while keeping the car's distributor to use with the roller cam.
I'm getting this engine and trans for free, so I was figuring on rebuilding it all anyways, I just didn't want to find out that it would all make a better boat anchor, thanks for the info, I think I'll get the van over here and pull it apart, I have have a HO upeer and lower intake so I'll be using that to fit it into the Mav. Thanks!!
You're right on the LSC lincolns,forgot them.I meant any Explorer/Mountaineer motor(although I didn't word it right )And '85-95(I was off 1 year)Mustang motors are roller cammed.
From what I'm told the truck engines had the roller cam also, and since I'll be rebuilding it we'll change the pistons, cam, and heads anyways. I finally got the motor out today, talk about one heck on a time, vans can be tough!! but it was worth it!!!
They didn't get a roller cam until around 96. HOWEVER, they got the roller block in the 80s... So you can install a roller cam without much hassle. Need a roller compatable distributor gear though. Dave
The 5.0 HO was put in explorers and mountaineers up till about 98 or 99. Can't seem to remember what year they stopped. But they have all the best stock stuff. Good flow EFI(gt40) intake,heads. The cam is a little flat in my opinion. But they got Distributorless ignition and a real nice crank angle sensor. If you want EFI and like computers you can program almost any aspect. I allways heard all 302s had a roller from 86 on. Never had to take one apart though. I'm also getting a truck block for free. It's from a 89 Bronco. I know they are thin wall but, You can't get much thinner than my 77 302 that's .060 over.
I'm going to be putting the motor on the stand today, so I'll see what shape it's in, I plan on doing a full rebuild anyways, so I'll make it close to a HO, but better.
