I have a chance to pick one up. The block came out of a Lightning, and I was wondering if it will fit in the Expy. The description is a Lightning Long Block.

 

Ok, nevermind. I'm an idiot. I was thinking "Small" Block, not "Short".


I have revoked my posting privelages for the rest of the evening.

 

huh? Long block, short block, small block? Well anyway, to answer your question, yes it will fit. It is still the 5.4L I would pick it up in a heartbeat and build a BAM for your truck. With the lightning heads, and the blower. Then light up all 4 tires, and smoke some ricers. Wow, was I typing my dreams out again?

 

Well, as it turns out, it's just the Lightning block with all the components, which makes it a long block. Just the bare block would make it a short block.
I got confused with Big and Small block. I think I'm going to get it.

 

I wouldn't pay any extra for a Lightning long block over an Expedition long block. The Lightning engine has lower compression (8.4:1 -vs- 9:1) so you will drop in power. The pistons are not forged, neither are the rods or crank (although I have heard a few got forged cranks). In general there is NO improvement for just running the Lightning block.

The heads are exactly the same also (PI Heads). The cams are not even different!

don't pay extra just because it was from a Lightning!

 

It is my understanding that the Lightnings have all forged internals. I have looked into the Lightning crate engine for one of my boats. I'm pretty sure they have forged crank, rods and pistons.

 

I can guarantee you that Lightning engines do not use forged rods or pistons! I have personally taken apart 3 lightning blocks.

 

I just checked my service DVD's - they do have a forged crank (at least 2001+) but they DO NOT have forged pistons/rods.

 

Thanks for the heads-up! That info is good to know. I guess I was mis-informed.

 

Here's the list of what my future block will come with:

Mod Max 4340 balanced H Beam rods with ARP 2000 cap screws-
Mod Max 3.552" +.05 Plasma Moly File-to fit Rings 1.5/1.5/3mm. Boosted Racing and Street Perf.
Federal Mogul Main Bearing
Federal Mogul Rod bearing

 

Sounds great. What pistons are you going to run?

I have the Mod Max rods in my Navigator with Probe pistons and the factory Forged Navigator crank. For rings I ran a custom set of Total Seal gapless top rings. I need to get to the dyno still but I am hoping for 400 RWHP and 450 RWTQ.

 

If you've got a chance to grab a Lightning longblock for a real decent price grab it.Around here by me a bare block is a bare block,a short block has the crank,rods and pistons installed in the block,but no heads,(and cam in a pushrod motor).A long block has everything the short block has and also has the heads installed.

 

2003, I was always under the same impression that you are about the block types. That must mean we have the right answer.