Starting to claw my way back!

[Boomyal]

After selling my beloved, but seldom used Honda Motorcyle on Ebay, I just located and paid for a new motor for the ol' Gulfstream. It's a 5.0L out of a 2001 Ford Explorer. It has 36,000 miles on it and should be nicely loosened up for use in a boat.<br /><br />I targeted that engine due to it's roller cam and the most efficient breathing heads that Ford ever built for the 302/5.0L. An added advantage is the position of the spark plugs on the GT40P heads. Ford repositioned the plugs to aim the electrode at a more effective location in the combustion chamber. The result makes it more difficult to access the plugs with an automotive exhaust/header but much easier with a marine exhaust.<br /><br />It feels good to be back on the project.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

I uncovered the boat today. If it stops raining I will start the spring projects tomorrow so I know how you feel. Good luck with it!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Thumbs up Boomer!

 

[jlshields]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Boomyal, are you sure that's a '01 5.0L. I thought the last 302 was '96. You may have a 5.4L which I think is Ford's Triton motor.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

I know Absolutely Nothing about the interchangeabilities of Fords..........<br /><br />But,...... Good Luck Anyways..........

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Originally posted by jlshields:<br /> Boomyal, are you sure that's a '01 5.0L. I thought the last 302 was '96. You may have a 5.4L which I think is Ford's Triton motor.

jl, Ford went modular, in the Explorer, in 2002. Probably the last pushrod holdout in Fords stable. The Explorer only got the V-8 in '96.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Boomyal,<br /><br />You can't run that motor in your boat, it's a truck motor, and we all know that if you don't spend thousands more for a marine specific engine with the same internals and brass freeze plugs it won't last but 5 minutes above idle speed!!!!<br />Shame on you. <br /><br />Seriously I remember reading in hot rod that the explorer heads were the best ford ever made for the 302 and flow as well as or better than the cobra heads.<br /><br />You are going to have problems wiping the grin from your face the first time that motor plants you firmly in your seat.<br /><br />I saw the Dirt bike you sold to buy that motor and it was a peach. <br /><br />Good luck with your build.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Thanks bluewater, sold it to a Sacramentoan, at that. The only difference between the late Explorer head and the Cobra is that they milled a few thou's off to increase the compression.<br /><br />The Explorer has 9.0:1 c/r with those rotated sparkplugs firing right smack in the middle of the action. I still want to find out the specifics for the cam to make sure it won't suck water back in, but the factory specks seem difficult to come by.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Just a general question, I am not in the market of switching out my motor, but in general, what needs to be done to one of these truck motors to switch to a marine application? I know that all the regular bolt ons, Alternator, starter, fuel pump need to be Coast Gaurd approved parts, but with the exception of replacing freeze plugs with brass, is there much to this?<br /><br />Also, I had a 94 Explorer with the 4 L V6, it had about 200,000 miles on it and didnt burn any oil. Ran like the day I bought it. I also know that even at speeds up to around 65 mph, the engine loafed around 2000 rpm. With a marine application you can assume the average RPM will be much higher. Is this a problem with converting these truck engines? I have not heard of any to date on the forums.

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

BOOMyal go to a marine shop and ask where they get there rebuilds done. most machine shops have endless lists of cam specs, marine or otherwise.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Boomyal,<br />Here is what I found about your truck cam.<br />You may have reversion problems with the stock cam. As you can see the LSA is 115 deg.<br />While this is very good for a multiport FI engine<br />you want an LSA of 109-112 Deg with a marine V-8.<br /><br />The Lunati Marine cam I found would work very well with your roller motor.<br /><br />Stock Ford Explorer Camshaft<br />Note: vin code "p"; hyd.; <br />duration at .050 186 int., 197 exh.; <br />valve lift 0.421 int., 0.446 exh.; <br />lobe separation 115 degrees<br /><br />51014<br /> Lunati Marine hydraulic roller <br />218°intake 226° exhaust .500"lift intake .510" exhaust 112° LSA Factory H. O. motor. Cam has good idle and offers excellent low- to mid-range power. Power range is 2200 - 6000 RPM <br /><br />Good luck

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

You da man bluewater! I've posted a request for those specs, esp the LSA, on three different ford engine forums. No one ever came up with them.<br /><br />It's also my understanding that you do not have to change the roller lifters when you switch cams. It should be easy enough to do as I have to pull the stock mani, replace the timing cover and timing chain set, anyway.<br /><br />May I ask your source of the OEM cam specs for the 2001 explorer?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Mahoney,....<br />" Generally Speaking ",...... A Truck rated engine is build extremely close to, or within the "Spec.s" called for in a Marine rated engine............<br />Since Most All engines today have a Composite style headgasket, even that is a moot point.....<br />Most Truck engines, like marine engines are Cammed up in a like manner,... Both allow the motor to build Good Torque from Idle to 4500/5000rpms or so........<br />

With a marine application you can assume the average RPM will be much higher. Is this a problem with converting these Truck engines?

Nope,.........

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Boomyal,<br />I googled it. then did a cut and paste from the website.<br />Bondo is right about the grind being close with truck motors...but with the new fuel injection on most trucks they can get away with more LSA because the fuel injection provides for more complete combustion through better air fuel ratio.This inturn gives better emissions.<br />Also the carbs found on most boats like less LSA because of the improved vacum signal. <br />This is all stuff I have read in hot rod, motor craft ect...<br />I have only built motors based on solid info I reseached myself. So I don't know how some of these theories work.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Also <br />I know that you can reuse the roller lifters if they are in good shape. <br />They don't get wear patterns on each lobe like flat tappets.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

That Lunati cam you dug up is going to Suck in a Carb.ed Boat........<br /><br />It's Too Big...... 2200/6000rpms is Not a Boat motor.......

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> That Lunati cam you dug up is going to Suck in a Carb.ed Boat........<br /><br />It's Too Big...... 2200/6000rpms is Not a Boat motor.......

Bondo, I'll probably go with a Delta Cam regrind, similar to the cam profile that I had chosen for my 331 non-roller. It was a mix between a '69 351 windsor cam and a strict marine cam. Delta (Tacoma, WA) is very well regarded for their regrinds and they are very reasonably priced.<br /><br />bluewater, thanks again for the info.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Bondo,<br />You may be right, but acording to Holley marine this is a marine specific cam for a 5.0 HO motor.<br /><br /> http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLine/Products/Marine/IEC/IECC/Ford.html

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting to claw my way back!

Well,.... I stated Before, I Don't Do Fords............ <br /><br />But If that was a SBC,... You'd want the Exhaust duration Shortened,+ the Lift on Both lowered......<br /><br />Gotta get the powerband Down to Idle to 5000rpms......