Almost 100K miles since the 5.0 swap...

[Linc's 93 Splash]

I haven't been here in years.... I used to post on the "Old Forum" back in the day: http://www.v8-ranger.com/v8.html

I just wanted to say a few encouraging words... I have almost 100K on my Ranger since swapping in a Explorer 5.0 back in Feb 2001. It has been extremely trouble-free. I have even pulled 6,000 lb loads behind it on my 16 foot trailer through several states and over mountains. It has been a really great truck. Maybe I will come back here from every once in a while when I find time to answer some questions. Take Care!

[cgrey8]

67kmiles for me on my swap that completed Jan06 and been daily driving it since.

And I've FINALLY got the 331 I talked about building for years on the engine stand just waiting on some final touches.

[Teddyzee]

Nice!

I'm on season four, and I'll guess 20K KM, 12K miles. Finished June of '09.

[v8ranger]

Thats AWSOME!!! You must have done a good job putting it in... Mine has been in for 9 years, but only about 25,000 miles... Ya I dont drive it much... Wont drive it in the winter either because of all the salt NY feels they have to put on the road every time there is a flake in the air... And with gas now up to $4.16 and thats not even the good stuff that I have to run, thats about $4.30... $65 so I can drive it 140 to 160 miles gets pretty expensive.. So needless to say it wont get driven much this year.. Prob wont even get the boat out much either...

[Linc's 93 Splash]

Mine has been in for 9 years

I remember you.
There was a fella down by Round Rock, TX that went by "LoneRanger"...
I helped get his running around the same time, about 10 years ago or so.

[cgrey8]

There was another guy around here back when I 1st joined and we were talking on the old forum. I think his name was MercuRanger? He was quite knowledgeable about V8 Ranger conversions as well. Haven't seen anything from him in years.

[Linc's 93 Splash]

I think his name was MercuRanger? Haven't seen anything from him in years.

Yep, I remember him.

[Dave]

I remember you Linc, you posted a picture of you and a buddy with hood up working on it. Seems like a lot of people get their swap done and then disapear.
Take care down there - Dave

[v8ranger]

Actually, I did my swap before I came on this site.. I found a web page where I guy posted his swap step by step, inch by inch.. It was well documented... Wish I still had that.. I think It would be very helpful for some people trying to do a swap.. It also had lots of pictures showing every step.. Everything was catered to the do it your self person with minimal tools.. That site to get you going, this site to fine tune it......

[MalcolmV8]

I remember you too Linc. My AWD Ranger got over 60k miles from Sept 05 to Dec 09 when it was retired as my daily driver. 6 months later I sold it. Still miss that truck from time to time.

[Linc's 93 Splash]

Well, I am up to 120,000 miles and finally the engine needs to come out.
I am guessing a cracked Hypereutectic piston (stock 97 Explr pistons)
I have a misfire and a TON of blow-by coming out of the PCV hole!
It is so bad it fills the cab with blue smoke..... cough cough!

Currently looking for a nice set of '89-'92 forged Mustang TRW pistons to swap in.
I really want to do a 331-347 but just can't bring myself to drop another grand on her.
She pulls my 20' boat just fine with 302 cubes

[cgrey8]

Not quite there. I've got about 72k on my swap since it hit the road in 2006.

I'm putting the 331 in over this thanksgiving. So while others are eating turkey and sleeping off a tryptophan high, I'll be turning wrenches, splicing wires, and nursing busted knuckles. I'm just hoping like hell the engine actually runs without any issues and can stay there untouched for 100k.

[MalcolmV8]

I'll be turning wrenches, splicing wires, and nursing busted knuckles.

Don't worry I do that almost every evening and weekend

Just assembled this over the last couple weekends and finally got in the car this past weekend. Unfortunately the front main seal tore on start up so had to do some surgery last night and have a bit more to do tonight then should be rolling

[cgrey8]

Is that a head next to the connecting rods? What is that engine from and what's the story on it?

[MalcolmV8]

Nah main bearing girdle. Weird ha.

See underside of motor with crank in place looks like this



Then with main bearings cap piece on.



As for story. Well sum'd up it's the motor out of my civic. I put in forged rods and pistons, head studs etc. Went over and freshened up motor with new oil pump, water pump, valve job and all that good stuff. Oh and of course I turbo'd it too



99% put back together



and back in the car which is quite the sleeper



Even from the rear no one is the wiser. It has a full 3" exhaust but it's quiet and has the stock fake tail pipe sticking out the back





Few other goodies. Aftermarket radiator I tried to put in vs stock. Unfortunately trying to do this after the fact did not work. See I turbo'd the car last year and was running on stock internals and one side affect I noticed of the turbo intercooler in the front bumper is that it would block enough air to the radiator that on those really hot 95+ days with near 100% humidity out the car would be running real hot just cruising on the highway at 70 mph. Around 210 ~ 215. Get on some side roads and up to 220 in no time flat.
Anything but the extreme weather and it worked fine.



Had I installed that giant radiator before building the turbo manifold, building the downpipe, dump tube and all that other good stuff I could have made it fit. So instead I'm still using the stock radiator but I just installed this giant Spal fan that'll suck the chrome off a bumper