97 explorer 5.0

titokang · Mar 9, 2010

Just got my car back from the mechanics and its time for an overhaul. Its averaging 50-75 psi on the cylinders. He advised to just buy a used engine rather than rebuild, and since i havent gotten to spend on hi perf goodies i just want it drivable in stock form. i found a 97 explorer at the local yard for 400 with 60000 miles. Can it be used? Will it work with stock computer? Any changes? I just want it running again, i go to and from school 40 miles away and as soon as its fixed its staying with my mom and ill be driving her pt loser

im in too deep with it to sell it so help! what would i need to do the swap and is it a good idea?

Win · Mar 9, 2010

Are you worried about the Money factor with a rebuild ???

titokang · Mar 9, 2010

on a pretty tight budget, havent found any 94-95 engines and i went to 3 yards all were v6. I found this one and its looks well kept, but who knows how its been ran, and the heads and intake are a + over the stock ho stuff. would it be worth it, the cars been down about a month, a little extra time wouldnt hurt but still need it asap. Is it worth it? thanks

Win · Mar 9, 2010

If i were to buy a used motor i would always rebuild it before i put it in or you might be in the same boat all over again. I Honestly would just take the motor out and do a rebuild since your on a tight budget. Or you could do what i did and have just been driving my car and was very patient and found a Fox block with forged internals gt40x aluminum heads tubular gt40 intake and little goodies for 1500 and i am going to pick it up in a few weeks. Tight Budget means what pricepoint???

95DarkGreenGTS · Mar 9, 2010

Win said:
If i were to buy a used motor i would always rebuild it before i put it in or you might be in the same boat all over again. I Honestly would just take the motor out and do a rebuild since your on a tight budget. Or you could do what i did and have just been driving my car and was very patient and found a Fox block with forged internals gt40x aluminum heads tubular gt40 intake and little goodies for 1500 and i am going to pick it up in a few weeks. Tight Budget means what pricepoint???

DUDE where did you come acrost that bc thats a good deal

titokang · Mar 9, 2010

damn, that is nice! but between 4-600 would be the amount workable right now.

mustangshane · Mar 10, 2010

IMO buy the Explorer motor and swap it in. With only 60,000mi on the clock. It should keep you going. Shouldn't be to much to swap from the Stang over to the Explorer motor.

birel21y · Mar 10, 2010

I just bought a 2000 explorer engine. Cleaned it up, and swapped it in. Im running a 100 shot wet plate system. If that one you looked at is a 97, check if it has normal GT40 heads(3 bars), or GT40P heads(4 bars). Depending on if it was an early or late production engine in 1997. Mine has the GT40P heads (4 Bars)

titokang · Mar 10, 2010

Its a p headed engine, i made sure when i checked it out. would the edis ignition work with the 95 comp? Do i swap my ignition over to the explorer 50? any tuning involved cause of the compression difference? i know the ho cam will go in but any other changes needed? thanks guys and birel thats a nice looking engine