How do I determine the year of a 5.0....Or maybe a better question is how does a smog referee know what year it is. Seeing as how the same basic blocks are used for various years, is it only the accessories and other stuff attached to it that makes the difference?

 

YOu can get the casting number off the block, its near the starter, get that and we can decipher it for you.

Could you give us an idea as to the reasoning behind your question, as in, are you wanting to change your block or heads?

Do the "smog referee's" check the block casting number?

 

23...E7TE...CA...S..........Im wanting to 5.0 the 94 Explorer Sport out here in Occupied California. I havent been able to get in touch with the ARB to find out what and how they inspect it, so Im so far just going by what I have read.

 

I believe you have to use the same year or newer engine when doing a v8 conversion, in smog country, with smog equipment intact. E7 would be an 87 block, I believe your looking for something like F4**, that would be a 94+ engine, however some newer than 87 engines used the E7TE heads. Whats the 5.0 you have out of, or is it just something you picked up?

 

Its supposed to be from a 91 mustang. It did come with an AOD. If I can ever get in touch with the CARB, I will try and find out if the block would be usable/passable using 94 smog etc. equipment. The specs and pictures (via Haynes and Chiltons manuals)that I've seen make it appear that the blocks didn't change.

 

I am with you, I am pretty sure the 302 blocks were the same up to 94 for the most part, but there were cam changes on some models which could make a smog tester feel was worth your using the newer design, but how the smog people view it is another story. Post what you find out, as I am interested as well, good luck

 

What a pain. Its a quest to make it happen though. I really like the older Explorer better than the new ones....I can't seem to find much in the way of anybody doing this swap in Ca. so I feel it my motorhead duty to post the process. I did find a good site from a guy that does Jag/Chevy engine swaps here in CA and he seems to be pretty sharp on how to get it through. Ill post any info I get.

 

For what its worth, the explorer and mountaineers used the 302 until 2001. The late 1997 - 2001 would be ideal to get your hands on. They had the gt-40p heads, high torque camshaft and the explorer intake is pretty good at that, you would have zero problems emission wise then, and everything would be a bolt in deal, as far as the engine/tranny, might take some creativity with the efi wiring through the firewall but I am sure its doable. Just a thought.