I am looking at getting another engine for my TownCar and was told to look at the Explorer engines. I understand the 1996 has a GT40 and the 1997 has the GT40p. I have heard the spark plug placement and the exhaust manifolds are a little different.

Can I use the same injectors?
Are the electrical connections the same?

I have many questions. I am new to this year of 5.0 and want to learn all I can before I do the swap.

BTW I found a 2000 5.0 I want to put in my 1990 TC.

Thanks in advance guys,
Neal

 

The GT40p are marginally better, because of the placement of the sparkplugs, but apparently that also makes it a lot harder to service them, you refer to the same inyectors as? i think even the 14lbs ones will work well as long as you don't do any extreme mods, and about connections in the engine, they all should work, no matter the vehicle.

If i were in your place i would take the GT40 heads, also, the year in itself might not mean anything, there should be a casting with two bars in the GT40 heads and three bars in the GT40p if i recall it right.

 

I was curious if the injectors were the same between the two motors.
Thanks for your help. So as I understand it the engines are the same with the exception in the spark plug placement?

I am putting an engine in a 1990 Lincoln Town Car. It is the last year of the 5.0 and the first year of that body style. So getting info from people who "have been there done that" is kind of hard to come by.

I am also wondering if the engine electrical connections for the 40 vs. 40p heads are the same. I know you pretty much answered that just trying to confirm.

In your opinion you would jut the GT40 engine would be better. Is that mainly because of the spark plug placement or do you have other reasons?

Thanks for your input,
Neal

 

gt40 has 3 bars gt40p has 4 bars

 

I stand corrected on the bars, and no, mainly the reason is the sparkplug placement and exhaust maniflods, as you already stated. The gain isn't worth the hassle.

 

The Towncar 5.0 was factory rated at 150hp and used grey body 14lb injectors, all other 5.0's produced at least 185hp and used 19lb(orange) injectors. The Explorer motor has the most potential of all these with GT40 heads and intake, it was factory rated at only 210hp but this was primarally because of the cork-like whisper quiet stock exhaust system, the motor is capable of producing 300hp with a proper exhaust and a bigger cam.
So where does that leave you? Externally all 5.0 motors are the same, the intakes are different but that has little impact on anything but the intake plumbing, vacuum lines, and control cables, you can put an Explorer 5.0 where your original motor was no problem, it will bolt up and attach to the wiring harness just fine. But it probably won't cooperate with the computer too well even if you install the 14lb injectors so I suggest you find a computer calibrated for 19's and use those, an early truck EEC should do unless your car happens to be mass air, and if that's the case get a Mustang EEC like the A9L.

 

These bars you speak of. They are in a casting but where on the head is the casting? Hopefully in a place where it can be seen easily. Thanks for this tip on recognizing what I will be looking for.

And Conan,
Thank you for this info. I have been browsing many different forums looking for this type of info. And here you have it all right here. LOL
Soooo, if I may continue to pick your brain...
When I do get an engine would it be best to get the computer from it? That is what it sounds like would be best. And in saying that I assume all computers whether it be from an F-150, Explorer or TownCar they are all the same connections???
Another question. If I do get a GT40 and don't get the computer. Can I just use my original injectors from the Towncar? I understand they will not perform like the orange 19 lb. injectors.

So many questions...
What makes an H.O. engine an H.O.?
What car and years did it come in.

I understand the H.O. valve springs are better but the explorer cam is better, and I want GT40 instead of GT40p due to plug placement and difficulty to change.

 

OK are these the bars you speak of?
They are on the front of the head near the waterneck. This looks to be a GT40p, Is that correct?

 

if i'm not mistaken they are located on the front as soon as you open the hood. look at the valve cover and look directly below it by the freeze plug there. you should find the 3 bars

 

I am sorry. Thios is the pic I meant to post.

 

If it comes out of a Mustang, Cougar XR7, or Lincoln Mk7 then yes but if it comes out of an Explorer no. The reason is those cars used the same non-computer controlled transmissions as the Towncar while the later trucks didn't.

Same 60pin connector yes.. but there are some pinout differences between vehicles.

Already went over this and the answer is the motor may run but it won't run well.

Forged pistons, HO cam, HO intake.

See above.

All these motors have roughly the same valve springs, and the HO cam has more intake lift and duration so it could be considered "better" depending what your goals are.

 

As far as computers go, there's one other consideration - cruise control. Your Linc shares the Panther platform with the Grand Marquis and Crown Vic. Those cars have all the cruise control functions handled by the EEC computer and I bet your Town Car does too. It would behoove you to check on that. If you're going to swap computers to match the 19 lb. injectors and still want your cruise control to work, then the only viable candidate that I'm aware of would be a Lincoln Mark VII. They had the 5.0L HO and also handled the cruise through the EEC. I'm pretty sure that all others had a stand alone cruise control processor. You'll still want to compare EEC connector pinouts to make sure that the Town Car and Mark VII computers are pinned the same. If they aren't, it isn't difficult to move the pins and wires around in the plug to match the new computer. Tedious and time consuming, but not difficult.

 

Thanks guys for all your help. You have set me pretty straight for now. I am sure I will be chatting with you again. I am bringing the car home today. It knocks a little but you can only hear it when you rev it up kinda high. Doesn't knock at idle.

Any thoughts on what might be knocking?
I am going to check to be sure there is not a collapsed lifter or bent pushrod or rocker arm. I think it kind of sounds like a wristpin or something.

Reps to all of you for your help.