1989 5.0 engine

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Jul 3, 2013 | 06:20 AM

sibernut

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1989 5.0 engine

I have a 1994 F150, has 245 on the original motor. Running good, but has to go sometime. I can get a VERY friendly price on an 89 5.0 from a full size Merc with under 100K on it. Can I change the cam to a roller like is in my truck? Is it worth it, & what else needs or can be done to make it compatible (or better, while I'm at it)?
Tks!

Jul 3, 2013 | 07:59 AM

Conanski

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

A 5.0 from an '89 full size car most likely has those gawdawful E6SE heads on it so you'll want to swap those out with E7TE truck heads for sure, and yes the cam can be swapped to a roller.. the stock flat tappet cam is tiny and is very restrictive.

Jul 3, 2013 | 09:15 AM

82ford302

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From: horton, ks

89 passenger car like that mercury will already be a roller cammed engine, it just has the crappy e6 heads like conanski said. the cam in the merc is setup for the old 302 firing order 15426378 and not the 302ho/351w order of 13726548. hope that helps you out.

Jul 3, 2013 | 10:30 AM

sibernut

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TKS!!

This engine is almost free. That said, I don't want to go to the trouble of putting it in if it is not equal or better than mine. Is there a way for a not-too-technical person to tell what heads are on it? It's on a shelf, haven't even looked into the rocker covers to see if clean yet. If I'm going to have to change the cam, is there a better roller available, either Ford or AM? Don't need a hot rod, just what I have is enough power. I have shorty headers to put on with the swap, maybe get a little better MPG. Other improvements over the stock air intake?

Jul 3, 2013 | 11:01 AM

Conanski

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From: Ottawa, Ontario

There are lots of good cams available including the one in your '94 motor.. you could just swap that into this one.

If the intake is off get a small mirror and look for the head casting numbers on the lower side of one of the central intake ports..

If the intake is still on the motor look for a capital letter on one of the outside corners of the heads up near the valve cover gasket surface, if you find an S that confirms E6SE heads, R would be E5 heads and T would be E7 heads.

Jul 3, 2013 | 04:54 PM

sibernut

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Tks again!

I'd buy a new cam, after my mileage I'd be suspicious of lobe wear. Tks for the shot of the heads, the motor is still together. If I'm looking at any disassembly, the "FREE" unknown-for-sure mileage motor is beginning to look like more work than a Jasper long block. I wouldn't mind doing the intake & cam, but the attraction of a complete motor is lost when it goes to heads.