When you were doing your V8 swap in your ranger, what did you buy that wasn't worth getting? Did you buy something and afterwards wish you had bought something else? I'm talking for the motor or the actual swap itself.

Well so far I have a extra oil relocation kit that will not work. And I also have a kit that splices into the tranny lines for a temp gauge. I ended up just tapping holes in the tranny pan for the temp sender. And then theres the night I got stupid with the sledgehammer. Now my gas pedal does not go down as far.oops
And a 5.0 with a AOD and transfer clear everything just fine with no bodylift using L&L mounts, I had to bend the body seam flush but thats it for tunnel mods. The trans mount even sits in its stock location allowing my stock driveshafts to work. Everyone says a body lift is required. But it all clears just fine.
And then theres the a/c box, I cut the heck out of only to find it looks like the valve covers would of cleared without even touching the box.

Depending on what type of induction you plan on running be carefull when triming your original wirring harness unless plan to buy one from Ford RAcing, or Painless, etc..

#1 thing i wish i never bought! Were the piece of crap advanced adapter headers!! They are such crap and cost almost $300, not to mention they ar rubbing on my steering shaft joints.
#2 i wish that i went with a Tremec 5 spd, not the auto C4 on the highway it's revving way to high, not to mention a 5spd would be much more fun and have more reasponse, even though i do have a 2500 stall converter.
#3 which i'm changing soon, is i wish i went with electric fans, not that cheapo flex fan. Other then that the 5.0 bronco2 is much fun
:)

Why would you want to go to an electric fan? From my experience my motors tend to run cooler with flex fans and you only loose a couple hp. and they are more dependable since they are mechanical and not electric.

but i have an electric water pump so I guess i have no ground to stand on there.

Thanks for all the input.
I am going with the electric fan.
Carb not injection.
I don't know what to do on headers???
I have a C6 trans. Should I use this or try to get a C4?
The C6 has overdrive, right?
Should I buy the L&L mounts or have mine made. I work at a Streetrod shop. I do all the paint and bodywork. My boss said he can make the mounts for me and set the motor where ever I want it. See he make all the frames for the rods and has the dumby motors to fit for clearance. He said to pull my motor and he will set the dumby 302 in there and put it where I want. Should I do this and if so, is there something I could do to make life easier when installing the real motor? I know the fan motor housing is a problem. I could move the motor forward to avoid this, right? Any suggestions.

THANKS

C4 and C6 have the same gears in them, neither of them got overdrive. Differences are, the C6 is a more beefier (larger in size) unit and weighs alot more. Any1 else can chip there 2 cents in too.

Originally posted by Mikes84
C4 and C6 have the same gears in them, neither of them got overdrive. Differences are, the C6 is a more beefier (larger in size) unit and weighs alot more. Any1 else can chip there 2 cents in too.

So your saying it is a better built trans?
From what I get out of it, it will fit in my Bronco II. It is just a tighter fit, right?

with a C6 in my case i had to do a good number of sledge hammer modifications to make it fit. the C6 bell housing Is huge in comparison to the c4 as well as the eniter tranny is bigger. You can get a built C4 that will be lighter and just as stong for a good deal. When I built my truck i ran out of money and used the c6 that i had from the fullsize truck in the garage.

I wish I had never done the swap. I find myself wishing i had done the 2.3T swap instead ...and gone 5spd. I have an extra holley fuel pressure regulator lyin around and a couple rads too. Don't get me wrong..I love my V8 but as far as gas goes, and I still can't pass emissions either.

I find that my flex fan doesn't do much when i'm ideling at a stop for a while, so i think maybe an electric one will help with that. As far as a tranny, i really wish i went with the 5spd, do it if u have the money and of course can drive standerd.

I wouldn't use an AODE, they're a pos at best. Ive had mine for 2 yrs and had it rebuilt 4 times, i just changed it out for a T-5 and what a difference!! Its much faster, like a 1/2 second in the 1/4, and a lot more fun to drive. I would have, and probably will eventually use the hyd. throwout bearing, the slave is also a pita.
My swap when really slick because i used all Kaufmann components. The wiring was a pita, but I think I would get a painless harness if i did it again, or at least a FMS one. The C-6 is not OD youre better off with the c-4. but with any low gears and a carb expect about 12 mpg. I'm getting about 21 with EFI and 5 sp.

My Bronco is a stick now and I am so tired of a stick. I'm not to worried about gas miliage, because I have my 2000 Ranger to drive everyday. I'm trying to find a C4 instead of the C6 I have now.

you guys are talking about mileage woes. What kind of mileage you getting on your v8's? Right now my 3.slo gets about 15-16. Can it be much worse than that?

CLancy

Last time i checked i was getting ~8-10 mpg. But that would have been alot better if i could afford efi setup.

In my V8 bronco 2 i'm getting like 8-10 mpg, but it's carb'd has a 2500 stall converter and a C4 so i knew mileage wasn't gonna be to great anyways.

my best advice......buy the BEST oil filter relocator you can get. Iam currantly useing the L&L set up and I love it!
I get 20mpg with a efi 5sp and 3.55s. better than the old worn out 2.3. hahaha

I would not say we made to many mistakes but there are a couple things I would do different. We bought a complete 2000 Explorer engine with all the accessories and harnesses. Thinking it would be an easier swap. Our problem was we were swapping into a 93 not a 98+ (poor research on my part). We ended up using the accessories and the short block. We changed everything else; heads, intakes, throttle body, ignition system, harnesses, and headers to get more power. If I were to do it again I would have bought a new FMS Sportsman’s block and built a 347-stroker motor using the DSS stroker kit and still used the FMS harnesses and sensor kit. Once you feel the power of the V8 get-it-on with the ladder/link coil over setup all you want is more power.

We changed everything else; heads, intakes, throttle body,

Harry, I know it's been a while since you've disassembled/reassembled the engine. But do you still have that upper intake and the TB? I orderd my 351 GT-40 lower yesterday, it'll be in in about two weeks, but I want to find an explorer upper for a good price.

We do still have all the parts. I'll ask my son if wants to sell the parts. I know he is willing to trade the cam with Brian31 so you may be in luck.

Am I correct, after reading, to assume that since my truck is a 99, if I wanted to do the swap, would I "have" to buy an Explorer 5.0? I am in Ohio...

CLancy

Clancy98 you are correct...

Clancy98,

I get 16.5 - 17 MPG on my daily commute to work. Had to change a bad Holley carb to get there. The truck has the AOD and original 7.5 rear with 3.73 gears.

Later,

Splash302H.O.