5.0 Swap
 

I'm new here and have read a few threads on swaping a 5.0 into a ranger. I have read that it is hard and I have heard that it isn't too bad. I am picking up a 1993 Ranger 2 wheel drive regular cab short bed this week that doesn't run and I have a 5.0L motor out of a 1990 Crown Vic just sitting in my garage. I am wondering how hard it would be to complete the swap cosidering that I have the complete wiring harness and the ECM with the motor. I have been looking at some motor mounts from Trans-dapt that are supposed to be a direct-fit for a small block ford into a 82-94 ranger. Those are $93.00, has anybody used these? I'm sure that I will have more questions that arise, but I think that is it for now. I guess I am just trying to figure out how hard it is going to be to swap a FI engine in rather than a carb engine. Thank you for any advice given.

-French

Just thought of another question. How hard, rather, how expensive would it be to covert a FI engine to a Carb engine.

-French

Welcome to FRF!

This is a hell of a thing to do to someone new here, I am giving you a link to the folks who have been doing what you want to do for a long time.

Ford Ranger V-8 Engine Swap

While you are there register, visit the forum and browse the TECH LIBRARY (thats where I am sending you)

Hope the link is helpful.

Ray

To answer your second question: a complete top end with carburetor heads.
Other than that it depends on what you are doing it to and whether the engine ever came with a carburetor.

Ray

The engine is Fuel Injected and has never had a carb on it. I would like to make it carbureted just to make wiring a breeze, but the relibilty of a Fuel Injected engine is a big factor as well. I was getting 20-22 mpg out of the engine when it was in the Crown Vic and it was a strong running engine, I just sold the car to a guy that is going to derby it next year and didn't want the engine, so I kept it and am trying to decide on what to do with it. I know that doing the swap is probably going to be difficult, but if anybody is familiar with the 6.0L Powerstroke, I am no stranger to hard work on a vehicle. After working on the 6.0L, swaping in a 5.0L into a ranger should be a piece of cake:D

Now you are talking about something I don't feel qualified to answer, I have no idea what the change from EFI to carburetor is going to do.
If you do a couple of searches on the net, you will find a number of swaps involving 5.0 EFI into different vehicles, some are real in depth about the computer and wiring harness issue.
If you have a complete wiring harness, it shouldn't be any tougher than swapping in a V6 with its wiring harness. There will be some adapting from one harness to the other, that is just following a schematic for both vehicles and connecting the two appropriate wires together, most of that is handled at the harness pass threw by the steering column.

Ray

Swap intakes for carb, you will need to swap distributors and wiring up an ignition. That motor should have a roller cam, so you will need a STEEL gear. 1985 Mustang GT w/ 5.0L and manual trans is a vehicle that had Duraspark and a factory roller cam (I used this distributor with my roller B303 cam). My engine is/was a 1987 Grand Marquis engine (EFI/roller) and is topped with GT40 heads from a 96-97 Explorer.

I retained the stock fuel pumps by using a return style regulator. Can't help you on fuel system since my '88 is different, but I found spring-lock fuel fittings so that I didn't hack my factory lines. Kind of a PITA, you will get good at finding hard to find parts by the time you're done.

I would keep it EFI if I had the computer and all wiring. I didn't and had a Holley carb lying around, so I bought an intake and went that route for now.

If you're going to use an AOD, keep the TV cable in mind. I had to order a bracket and cable from Summit made by Lokar for the TV cable. The bracket kit requires the Lokar accelerator cable, but I did make my factory cable work for now by making an additional bracket and "adjusting" the lokar carb bracket.

It also took me a few tries to set in the transmission pressure. I bought some OTC gauges (it was a $150 kit at least), but found a good one on Ebay for $60. If the TV pressure is not right, the trans will shift like garbage and you'll fry it within a few miles. Trans is non-issue using the factory stuff, but definitely fimilarize yourself in this area.

If you're going to plug the emissions ports in the back of the heads, do it while the engine is out. Same with installing the oil filter relocation base to the block.

Not sure about your mounts. Lots recommend Mustang Convertible mounts, flipping them side to side, and drilling/slotting the cross member. I used AA adapter plates with 1980 Bonco 5.0L motor mounts. Also played around with the idea of making adapter plates for the V6 mounts, but eventually scrapped that idea.

You will also need wiring diagrams for your Ranger. If going carb, that should be all you need. Going EFI, you will need wiring diagrams from the donor as well. They MUST be vehicle specific diagrams, you'll run into problems with using a cheap Haynes or Chilton's that covers a wide range of years.

Pete

Thank you Pete. I still don't know if I am going to do this right now. I am still trying to decide if I want to be done with the powerstroke for now and go another direction. I think that I could do this without much hassle, but am on a pretty tight budget, and don't want to spend a lot of money on the engine right now. The engine only has 98,000 miles on it and is in pretty good shape. I am going to go through the entire engine and replace every seal and gasket as well as port and polish the stock heads for a little more flow. I can have the heads done for free, so I thought why not. Also, I thought about switching to a mustang intake manifold. Is there any benifit to doing this or am I just wasting my time. Thank you for the replies thus far and I now plan on leaving the engine EFI, mainly for the ease of different things you can do with EFI.

-French

I'll give you an idea, put a power stroke in it, take lots of pictures and show us how it is done. You will be unique in the fact that you will be able to pull a loaded semi with a Ranger if you can get enough weight in the rear.

Ray

I actually have a buddy that is attempting to do this now with a wrecked ranger. He put a 7.3L powerstroke out of an OBS into a regular cab short box ranger frame. He has everything mounted and we test fitted the body this past weekend. I will see if he will let me take some pics of it. He really doesn't want anyone to see it until it is done. I do know of a couple of rangers that are getting some wicked 6.0L twin turbo engines put in them, here is the link http://www.thedieselgarage.com/forum...ead.php?t=1471 Take some time and look through the thread, this truck is going to be sick!

-French

Just spent a good amount of time checking out the link.
That is awesome, a lot more than what I am looking for as a grocery getter, but awesome.
How much torque is he going to get if it makes 1000 HP? Estimate will do.
Bookmarked it and will check it daily, as he is that close.

Ray

6.0L are a little tricky for est. torque. Although he should be upwards around 1500-1600 ft. lbs. It is going to be a wild ride that is for sure!

-French

Update,

I've got a new Ranger! I will post up some pics later, probably this weekend. I've got the 5.0 on the engine stand ready to be torn down. It's getting a full rebuild and getting topped off with a set of GT40P heads and an intake manifold off of a '93 Cobra. Also planning on an E303 cam from Ford Racing and going to back the entire thing up with a T5 tranny. It's going to be a while before I do the swap, but I am tearing the motor down this weekend and am going to get parts slowly but will have the engine down to the bare block soon. Check back for updates regularly.

-French

Yeah a 5.0 should be alot easier than the 6.0L diesel. but its an interesting thread. You build up that 5.0 and you'll have a smoking little truck too.