I'm in need of a new engine in my 1995 F150 5.0 4x4. I've gone back and forth on whether I want to put in another 5.0, or go with something bigger like a 5.8 or maybe even 460. But where I'm at now, I think I might like to just put in another 5.0 to get it back running again quickly. I have a guy also that will do the labor real cheap for replacing my 5.0. So I've looked on craigslist and I've come up with a few possible deals, but I want to make sure these will be good in my truck. The options are:

'93 5.0 w/ 102 K for $500
'94 5.0 w/ 124 K for $450
'95 5.0 w/ unknown mileage and new heads for $500

There is also a '96 explorer 5.0 for $450 with 130 K miles.

Now the one with 102K looks like a good deal considering the miles, but is it true that the firing order changed from 93-94? I also read that 94 was the first year of the same roller cam thats in my 95, and that the 94-up is the best engine. I called about the '95 engine and he said he didn't know the miles (it was a salvage yard), but I'm wondering what heads are on it, if they might be the gt40 heads. How can I distinguish what heads they are if i go look at it in person?

So from the first 3 choices, sounds like the '94 engine might be the best idea because I know the mileage. All of these are in salvage yards and have 30 day warranties.

My truck is MAF as well, if that impacts anything.

Now, the explorer engine would be the best of the bunch wouldn't it? How much work is involved to get that one running in my F150? Is it true that I just need the truck intake and distributor, and all the accessories from the truck engine?

Which of these deals sound best? And would it be a big bonus if I can listen to the engines run?

 

Really just depends on the maintenance and care of each motor. If you are looking for more power, definitely get the Explorer Motor that should have the GT40 heads. I am fairly confident all 5.0's from 92 and up in trucks are roller cam motors. Keep the truck dual TB intake and MAF and swap over. Also, I believe I would just swap my current dizzy. Just double check the firing, order, but I believe they should be the same. Info that can easily be found. If you're lucky you may get another 50-80k before a full rebuild, again, just depending on maintenance of the motor you buy, and how you maintain after purchasing.

To verify whether you have GT40 or GT40P cylinder heads, examine the side of each cylinder head. GT40 cylinder heads have 3 vertical bars stamped on the side of the head as well as the word "GT". Ford GT40P cylinder heads have 4 vertical bars and some are stamped "GT40P". GT40's originally came equipped on the following V8 engine vehicles:

1) 1993-95 Mustang Cobra
•Part #F3ZE or #F4ZE
2) 1996-mid 1997 Ford Explorer and Mountaineer SUV
Part #F1ZE-AA
3) 1993-95 Ford F150 Lightning
•Part #F3ZE or #F4ZE
4) Ford SVO Catalogue, 1990's
•M-6049-L30
There is no discernable difference between the GT40 heads from any of the above vehicles. The only variation is that some may have received more milling (Cobra), depending on what Ford vehicle the cylinder head was going to be installed on.

GT40P's come only from mid-1997 and up Explorer/Mountaineer SUV models, with part #F77E-AA.

 

Truck motors(except Lightning and Explorer) only ever got E7 heads right to the end of production, these can be identified by letters found on the outside corners near the valve covers. For E7 heads you will find the letter T in this location.

 

I have a '99 Explorer engine in my Bronco. I did the swap like 3 years ago so I can't remember all the details but it was pretty straight forward IIRC. Just swap all your accessories, intake, and dizzy. My '92 had the old firing order I think and the Explorer has the HO firing order and I believe all I did was just wire it up with the HO firing order and it worked out because the injectors are batch fired on our trucks. I honestly can't remember fully lol. But the Explorer 5.0's are really nice in the trucks, they make a good deal more power than the E7 headed 5.0's.

 

no mention of either swaps i'd have first on the list:
300-6 gas engine.
4bt cummins diesel.

 

I believe your '92 would have been speed density then, because mine is MAF. And my 5.0 apparently has the same firing order as the HO from the explorer.

It does sound like a pretty good swap and the best option.

 

You are correct my Bronco is speed density. And now that you mention it yes yours would have the HO firing order.

 

Will a 1990 5.0 distributor work in a 1994 5.0?

 

I doubt it. I believe in '90 they still had flat tappet cams and in '94 they have roller. The difference is the gear on the distributor. They won't interchange because the gear will get eaten up if used with the wrong cam. Roller cams need a steel gear on the dizzy

 

My vote is for the Explorer engine. Better heads than the others...

 

If Explorer 5.0s are so good, why are they so slow in Explorers?
A good friend has a 98 5.0 Explorer, it is barely any quicker than my wife's 4.0 v-6 limited explorer, any yes the 5.0 is in good tune with no problems.

Does the AWD drag down performance?
Is it de-tuned by the Explorer ECU to keep soccer moms from killing themselves?

When he bought it, I expected performance like another friend who swapped a 5.0 into a Ranger (after all a explorer is a Ranger platform)............Nope, it's pretty boring.

If his 5.0 (explorer) was transplanted to haul a f-150 around, it would be a pretty sad performer.

 

The stock whisper quiet exhaust is literally strangling the life out of it.

 

The exhaust, AWD and the fact that the Explorer is pretty porky that it seems slow.

Net vs Net the Explorer is rated at 210hp IIRC whereas the EFI truck motor is 185hp.

 

Curb weight of a Explorer can't be too much more than a 4x4 Ranger, and a LOT less than a F-150, the Explorers ECU must de-tune the 5.0 to keep us dumb consumers from getting in trouble.

 

Around 4k lbs or so.

A manual trans rear drive truck has about 15% parasitic loss, an auto is 18-20% whereas AWD is 25-30%

What is the exhaust like on the 5.0 ranger swap? I would say there's 30hp to be had with a well designed performance exhaust system.

Also, a stock Explorer will beat a stock 5.0 truck. A 5.0 truck with an explorer engine will be faster than a stock 5.0 truck, although, not as fast as an Explorer. 210hp > 185hp

The Explorer heads are some of Fords best production Windsor heads.