Explorer Engine questions

[phyler]

I might have the chance to pick up an Explorer engine complete with 4R70W trans for cheap. The engine is at 200k but is said to be running well. Would come with the complete wiring harness, front-dress, computer, etc.

What should I look for on it? It is a non-P head engine (from a 97).

I wasn't really looking to start an engine swap but the price is really good at $400 for everything. At the very least I could bag it for the time being and wait til after summer to start the swap. My engine is worn out but it runs.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Adam

[Gunnibronco]

Sounds good, price is right. You are getting lots of good stuff for the price. Might have some issues due to mileage, but you know that.

You'll need a little time to get organized and some parts (fuel pumps, harness reworked, etc), so getting started now will leave you in good shape for a fall swap.

[phyler]

Thanks. Only reason I'm considering is due to the cost. It seems like a really good price since it has everything. I'm not sure what direction I want go with the overall build of my Bronco completely yet either other than I know I want EFI. I have a lot to do to restore it to the former glory of my high school years. :)

I will just need to find a tire I can set it on and a cherry picker to borrow to get it out of the truck once I get it home. The guy has a cherry picker and will help me load it into the back of the truck.

I figure worse case, I should be able to get my money back out of it if I choose to go a different route.

[Rox Crusher]

If you are considering using the transmission........the 98 and later models were upgraded to improve durability.

[phyler]

Ok, I'll spend some time researching that. Not sold on the auto yet. I have the NP435 in there today and love it except for the lack of OD. This truck gets used more and more for just cruising around than for serious wheeling. All my other cars have auto's so keeping the Bronco manual has an appeal to it. My first thought would be to get the engine in. If I can sell the tranny to recoup some costs, I would probably do so but I'm not opposed to using it or sitting it on the shelf.

The real question is could I find a lower miles engine with everything (front dress, wiring, computer, etc) for under $400? I'm not sure. If this engine runs and I can get 20-30k miles out of it, I would be looking at a rebuild in like 10+ years from now. :)

[TOOLMAN]

I would say it's a good deal...I probably spent between $6-700 at the junkyard getting EFI/Serp stuff last winter for the conversion. If I had to do it again, I would have looked for a whole Explorer. You're getting a whole motor for under that. If I had to do it again, I would have looked for a whole Explorer with a not so great motor (was just looking to bolt stuff on my 28oz motor).

[EFI Guy]

That sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I'd jump on it even if it is the early trans. You can offload it for a couple hundy pretty easy if you want to stay with a stick.

[phyler]

Thanks. I confirmed it earlier today. Going to pick it up on Saturday morning. I'll need to borrow a cherry picker to get it out of the truck. The guy has one and will help me load it.

Appreciate all the input. Garry, I'm sure I'll be talking to you soon. :)

[cravenbronco]

Are you getting it from the Explorer brothers?

[phyler]

Not sure. The guy said he's in bailey. Is that one of them? Anything I should look out for?

[cravenbronco]

Not sure. The guy said he's in bailey. Is that one of them? Anything I should look out for?

It's James and his brother. I have been up there and the block he showed me looked good but he didn't show me the harness or brains. They seem to be legit from what I've seen.
They have lots of explores that's for sure

[phyler]

Cool. I'll find out on Saturday. :-) My fear is that the harness is hacked apart but I figure I can get that from the junk yard if needed. I'll pull the plugs and see how they look. I'm doubting it will have oil in it but I'll check that as well. I don't have a camera to look into the cylinder or a compression tester so I'll have to have a bit of trust.

Appreciate the input. I love this place. You guys have brought back my passion for my bronco and are completely enabling. Just what I need.

[cravenbronco]

Cool. I'll find out on Saturday. :-) My fear is that the harness is hacked apart but I figure I can get that from the junk yard if needed. I'll pull the plugs and see how they look. I'm doubting it will have oil in it but I'll check that as well. I don't have a camera to look into the cylinder or a compression tester so I'll have to have a bit of trust.

Appreciate the input. I love this place. You guys have brought back my passion for my bronco and are completely enabling. Just what I need.

Let me know and I'll meet you at gas station and you can use my compression tester. I live right down the road.

[phyler]

Sounds good. I'll PM you my number and when I plan to be up there. Thanks!

[cravenbronco]

Sounds good. I'll PM you my number and when I plan to be up there. Thanks!

No problem ☺

[phyler]

I picked it up today. Pretty nice guy. When I told him what I needed from the harness, he went and grabbed me the OBDII port and an inertia switch and tossed it in.

It's a 97 engine with ~201,000 miles on it. It has the GT40 heads on it. He believed the transmission had been replaced at somepoint. Wiring harness is intact and I have the computer as well.

Now comes the fun part, I need to start figuring what else I need (I have a good idea) and getting a list together. I also need to find someone with a cherry picker on the north side of Denver who would be willing to help me get it out of my truck. :) I'll post that over in the Wanted section.

Time to get the other projects on the Bronco finished so I can start this one!

[phyler]

Ok, so I've been reading and reading and reading and then I got the pleasure of chatting with EFI Guy and then I read some more. Here is what I am starting with:

1997 Explorer motor (complete)
NP435 Transmission (have the 4R70W too, open to arguments to use it now versus putting it on the shelf for later)
33" Tires
3.50 Gears

I want to target just getting the engine in by mid-September at this point. I've started putting together my list of needs and things to do while the engine is out:

Need:

* Harness/PCM Re-worked (EFI GUY)
* Flywheel 164 tooth/50oz
* Clutch
* Clutch Equalizer Conversion Bracket
* Fuel lines (Send and return)
* Fuel Pressure Gauge
* Low Pressure Fuel Pump
* EFI Fuel pump
* Fuel filter
* Accumulator
* Body Lift (1")
* Motor mounts (if needed)
* Re-wire for 3G/4G Alternator
* Headers
* O2 Sensors/Bungs
* Throttle cable?
* Shroud

Do while in there:

* Thermostat
* Spark Plugs
* Water Pump
* Rear Main Seal
* Oil Pan gasket

Decisions to make:

* Run the A/C pump?
* Would it work with the Dealer installed A/C unit? (I just happen to have one that I pulled out when I went from 3 on the tree to the NP435 and am just curious)
* Can I just exclude the pump with a shorter belt?
* Should I run a Reverse Rotation Water Pump instead of a cross-over pipe/hose? Or have the radiator inlet/outlet swapped?
* How do I plumb the return with the stock tank? I've heard dump it back into the filler neck.
* What size clutch? 10 or 11"? I think it is an 11" (Flywheel choices are 11" or 10 15/16")

Anything else I've missed? I'm going to start accumulating parts while I finish up the other projects I have going on (disk brakes, 1-ton steering). I know I will need to get the Body Lift in after that then the engine work can start.

Thanks!

Adam

[Gunnibronco]

I've got a clutch equalizer conversion bracket for the new motors, new, never used. $10 if you want it.

[phyler]

Done. We'll work it out for getting it to Denver, etc. I can do paypal if needed.

[Gunnibronco]

Cool, I'll be coming to Denver in the next couple weeks. I have some other parts to drop off, so we can figure something out.

You can return the fuel to the tank through the 5/8" breather hose, right next to the 2" filler tube with this barbed T
http://www.bcbroncos.com/store/product_ ... ts_id=1913

The water pump on the Explorer motor should be a reverse rotation pump (all serp pumps are). I don't think there is any alternative.

For the low pressure fuel pump use a Carter P4070, and E2000 (mine is Airtex brand) high pressure pump. You can get a mounting bracket for the E2000 from lots of 80's EFI Ford trucks.

[Gunnibronco]

You might want to add a fuel accumulator to the list.

[phyler]

Cool, I'll be coming to Denver in the next couple weeks. I have some other parts to drop off, so we can figure something out.

You can return the fuel to the tank through the 5/8" breather hose, right next to the 2" filler tube with this barbed T
http://www.bcbroncos.com/store/product_ ... ts_id=1913

The water pump on the Explorer motor should be a reverse rotation pump (all serp pumps are). I don't think there is any alternative.

For the low pressure fuel pump use a Carter P4070, and E2000 (mine is Airtex brand) high pressure pump. You can get a mounting bracket for the E2000 from lots of 80's EFI Ford trucks.

I had looked at this water pump (http://www.bcbroncos.com/store/product_ ... ts_id=2045) and it shows that the outlet is on the passenger side and is only a few more dollars than the crossover hose they sell. Figured it might be an easier thing to do since I want to replace the water pump while the engine is out.

BTW, I was planning on the accumulator as well. Thought I had it in the list but I'll double-check. Thanks for the feedback. I'll PM you my info so we can set something up.

Adam

[Gunnibronco]

I'll step aside on the Explorer stuff, I'm not running it. I didn't know there were different outlets available.

Accumulator is there, I missed it.

[Viperwolf1]

There is only one explorer waterpump. http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showth ... p?t=158868