Hi. First Post here. I have a hard time junking this Explorer with a good chassis (Texas weather) And no dents or dings in the body AND GOOD paint. It is more practical for me then a pick up truck of the same vintage. I have had the " death rattle" of the cam chain tensioner come and go. Etc. Short story is I will keep this truck/SUV if I can get a used and decent running engine into the chassis. I wonder if the 4.6L V6 is a good choice and will it bolt up to the automatic transmission the the 4.0 came with? If the overall level of work is near the same then a 302 V8 with a five speed would be my choice JUST because this is my last wrenching project on four wheels and I LOVE standard transmissions! I am old school and have the tools and garage to get this done plus I am retired and have the time. This I a RWD not 4wd. A small block iron OHV Is something I can relate to. SOHC or DOHC, Fuel injection and smog control I no longer need? It is going to be a ranch to market truck with Farm registration. So this is my spare time 'toy'. Just for the record. I have never owned a new car or truck. My only other truck was a 1960 Dodge D100 with a small block chevy and Ford nine inch rear differential. There's also a 1973 Toyota Celica with a BMW 1800 and 4 speed sitting under the hood of it. That was Germany and I doubt it would EVER get shipped stateside. Any suggestions for the engine swap would be appreciated. Thanks. Larry




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302 into the exploder is a very popular and doable swap, since they came with that engine from the factory.
a 5 speed would be a little more work, but it sounds like a fun driver.

 

You mean 4.6 v8, right? If so, you’ll need the transmission that comes with it as it has a different bellhousing bolt pattern.

Read this fella’s thread:

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums...plorer.377456/

 

You'll never get a 4.6L under the hood as there is not nearly enough clearance on the sides (heater box and brake booster). The 4.6L is HUGE. A turd. But huge!

 

that is why i said 302.

 

I put a 4.6 in place of a 390 last year. Damn thing almost doesn't fit......not front to back or top to bottom......but side to side. Conversely I put a 7.3 PSD in place of a 4.6 and just had to work on the top to bottom aspect.

 

i considered putting a V10 in a 64 falcon....... for about 30 seconds.
it would have looked like an econoline van with the engine half under the dash.
or i would have had to extend the nose around a foot.

 

The 302 it is. I think fuel pump died. I checked the relays by swapping out other relays of same amperage like blower motor. Its the priginal pump and 187000 so no surprise. Turns over fine and usually fires right up. I already replaced the electrical contacts at the base of the ignition lock. The truck is parked where I can start this project. Time to recover from the worst ice storm I have ever seen but thanks again. It WOULD have to be a full tank. Sorely tempted to put an external fuel pump under there. Anyone done that ? Thanks again. Larry


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