Hi, I am new to this forum, and had a question about swapping the engine in my 1995 F-150 2WD extended cab pickup. It currently has the 5.0L engine in it, and I use this for moderate towing. I like the 2WD since all my use is on the highway towing.

I have had the C6 tranny rebuilt with HD parts, and have installed a tranny cooler.

What I am looking to do is buy a rebuilt 5.8L short block, and swap out the engines. I know the block will swap, but what else do I have to change out? Intake? computer? Heads?

I am looking to get a few more ponies/tourque for my towing use. The truck is in very good condition, and I have also invested in body repairs. I guess I could also build up a 5.0L with a towing cam and some other tuning options but was looking for feedback and info on this site.

PS. I am also looking into the Gforce performance chip. Not even sure if that would apply or be useful on the 1995 series of engines.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-351-swap.html Have a read through this link, may help. Of course, you don`t have to worry about the trans as it will handle anything you throw at it.
Plenty of guys here have done the swap and many pages of info available by searching.
I`m sure you will also get plenty of advice in this thread also.
Good luck.

 

You'll need a new flex plate if you have a auto tranny and a new Y-pipe due to the wider 351w block.

IMHO... You are creating a whole lot more work than you need. If you have MAF (air meter between air filter and throttle body) You won't need a computer or anything but a full 351w. The intakes don't swap (wider block) and so there isn't much point in using any of the 5.0L engine. There are certain parts that swap but you'd be better off finding a complete 351w engine to drop in. Less time, less money... Chech your local craigslist.org for a engine. Sometimes they can be found rebuilt fairly cheap already rebuilt. I just bought a 86 F150 for $200 with a 300 I6 and less than 30-40K on the motor after total rebuild... I'm going to get most of the $200 back in salvage steel too... I suggest you make sure you get a roller cam block... Just easier to find a good cam if you can stay away from flat tappet...

PS the performance chip won't do much good. Buy a decent set of long tube headers for that 351w and maybe find some GT40 heads from a explorer 5.0... It will be money well spent.

PSS: the 5.0 isn't worth the time or money... it's better for a mustang... 5.8L's have way better torque and power!

 

Thanks for all the replies. I need to do a bit of checking around at the salvage yards. I am on a bit of a tight timeline, and may end up replacing the existing 5.0 with a fresh rebuild. I would love to use a 5.8, but not sure I can get all the parts pulled together in time.

I have a trip I need to take in the next month, and this needs to be complete one way or the other. The truck hauls fine as it is (for what I use it for), but the engine is getting tired, and I am worried about a 700 mile trip with a load on. The engine is the last item in my efforts to keep this one on the road. My thought was, if I am going to replace the engine, and could upgrade to 5.8 easily, I would do so.

Once again, thanks for all the replies. Decision time now......

 

I have never heard of a cam being called a towing cam.

 

First off, I am old school......if it doesn't have points and condenser, I probably will have trouble. I have rebuilt alot of engines in the 70's, and a towing cam was one ground for low end torque vs. higher RPM horsepower. Showing my age I guess. Solid lifters and such are in my vocabulary............from what I understand, it is now all roller cams, and the computer decides whether you get torque, HP, or both.

I will be the first one to admit that I know very little about the "modern" computer controlled engines......which is why I stopped in here for some guidance. If this were a 351M, 400M, 429 or 460, naturally aspirated, 4BBL or similar, I would be fine.....you younger guys have it all over me on the new stuff. However, I am willing to listen and learn.

 

There called RV cams to , if you keep the 5.0 , its a roller motor and should have mass air , the stock cam with 1.7 rockers is about the best your going to do for low end in the 5.0 , they make more hp and tq in the higher rpms , you could step up to a bigger cam then gear the truck for its power band , but if you want low end at low rpm go to the 5.8....Lew

 

And the 95 5.0 should have a 4R70W , not a C6 , are you sure about that ??

 

Lew, first off, thanks for the good info. When I had the tranny redone at the local tranny shop, he indicated to me it was a C6, however, I guess I should roll underneath and take a look. I did ask if there were "towing" options for the rebuild and he said yes (and I opted for). That's another area I am not strong in, is auto tranny's.

I currently collect and restore antique tractors, which is what I tow on a 21' tandem 7500 GVW trailer. Older engines and manual transmissions are what I know. The terrain that I do most of my towing in is fairly flat, although, there are some rolling hills.......nothing like out west in the rockies.

I did find a really good 2004 F250 Super duty 4WD XLT already setup. 5.4L gasser in it. REally nice truck with 63k miles. Just not sure I can afford that at $17k. I can get a rebuilt long block 5.0L for around $1700, and drop that right in without any fuss or muss. 1/10 the cost, and of course my current truck with a new engine still doesn't match the F250, but it certainly puts a different "dent" in my pocket book.

 

The C6 is a 3sd auto , the 4R70W is a 4sp , 3 plus overdrive computer contolled , i have a 04 5.4 as my daily driver , nice truck , plenty of low end , pulls nice....

 

ok, then I definately have a 4R70W. Are they a decent tranny? In my opinion, the C6 is the gold standard from Ford.........

 

The C6 is a good trans , the 4R70W is a great trans for a 302 , its based off the AOD and AODE , but much improved and better , has the wide ratio gear sets , stronger input shaft , 1st and 2nd gear have a lower ratio , if your 95 is MA , its the best efi system , just like the mustangs , sfi , the 95s run much better than the older 302s.....Lew

 

Maybe it's just me but I think after spending $1500-$2000 on a rebuilt 5.0 you'll still feel like there isn't enough power there to pull the trailer w/ tractors... The 5.8 would be a much better option... Since you're "old school" you'd probably like to know the numbers...

STOCK numbers:
95 MAF 5.0L - 205 HP and 275 lb/ft torque
By compairison my 88 4.9L I6 has the same torque and 40 HP less.
MAF 5.8L Swap - 210 HP and 325 lb/ft torque

I think the 5.8L would be your best bet with a good cam and headers you'll be looking at a significant increase in HP and Torque. The 5.8L is just a better truck motor hands down. The 5.4L in the newer trucks have decent power but I have never been a big fan of them... My dad's counter top business used them in their pannel vans and they never held up very well... Just one persons observation though... If you like your truck I would put a 5.8L in it and keep it going!

PS: I think the C6 is the gold standard of tranny's too! Ford should have revamped the C6 into a 4 speed; then everyone would be happy! It would have been really cool to have a 4 speed non-computer controled auto tranny of superior quality for our trucks... Not a big fan of automatic trannies myself...