best readily available 302 to start with

[Mercracer]

I noticed another post; evidently it was actually 345rwhp and as much as 28-29 observed mpg.

It takes $$$ to make power and retain MPG. You are simply not going to do it with a plug in factory ECM. It would be easy to simply fly the BS flag here, but suffice it to say that just because someone did it, do not make the error of assuming it was either simple or inexpensive as it was most assuredly neither. Pointing to a single individual who was able to accomplish something is not an example of what most people can realistically accomplish with the resources available to them.

[Mercracer]

You can make 350+ rwhp with well worked over GT-40 iron heads all day...BUT if you don't have the means or knowledge to do it yourself it can easily cost you as much as a set of aluminum heads.

This is a fact.

[Pirate]

I was going to say, get a shortblock from FordStrokers, and heads and cam from Larry's nemesis, and few people on this site will be able to get near you.

Yeah, about that: you might want to do some research about just how 'great' their products and service are.

[1990LTD]

After research it seems like the one that would make the most sense is an explorer motor with some bits swapped out (cam, maybe rockers..what else?).


turns out quality aftermarket stuff is way, way more than i want to spend. for the price of a set of trickflow heads I could almost buy a complete explorer motor.

[1990LTD]

whats this about a build mrltd did on an explorer motor in a wagon? linky?


is the bottom end any different? i know i need a box specific oil pan but i'm curious if the internals are different in construction.

how about the front engine stuff?

[Lincolnmania]

timing cover has to be swapped cause the exploder water pump is weird, the oil pan and pickup have to be swapped, need an oil filter adaptor from ford, block is the same.
mrltd has a 96 explorer engine with a comp cams xe264 and 24 lb injectors

[1990LTD]

different ECU for the 24lbers?

I was recommended the e303

[Mercracer]

After research it seems like the one that would make the most sense is an explorer motor with some bits swapped out (cam, maybe rockers..what else?).
.

Pull the heads and install a set of tuliped head (undercut) stainless valves and a good set of springs. The factory springs are barely stronge enough for the factory cam. Full roller rockers are almost free horsepower.

[1990LTD]

found a 96 explorer for parts...350...i hope it's not that stupid fucking cologne v6

[Mercracer]

need an oil filter adaptor from ford,

Another reminder to everyone that these are now obsolete from Ford. Stock up while you can. The same thing goes for many of the other little things we take for granted.

[1990LTD]

why the filter adapter? can't use an explorer filter?

[Mercracer]

why the filter adapter? can't use an explorer filter?

The Exploder filter housing puts the filter at a funky angle. It may not fit well in your engine compartment. Most of them I have seen are actually a cooler adapter which is even more combersome. I have both laying around. When I work on my P72, I will mock them up and take pics. This will not be for a while.

[1990LTD]

that it?

[Mercracer]

Close. That looks like the universal one you can get. The Explorer one has a tab to hold it in a single position.

[Mercracer]

Another reminder to everyone that these are now obsolete from Ford. Stock up while you can. The same thing goes for many of the other little things we take for granted.

A dirty little secret is that the "nut" and bolt that the factory Explorer cooler uses is the same as the 429s used in the 70s.