Explorer 351?

[stupidboy]

Those of you running a 351 with explorer Efi, what are you using in place of the distributor? I don’t know what the part is called or where to find one for a 351.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Cam sync. I want to say one from a 3.8L V6 can work or work with light modification.
Price Motorsports had one for a long time as well. Expensive. Have not looked at the site in some time to se what is currently available.

 

[stupidboy]

Wow,367$$ at PME . What vehicles do I find that 3.8 v6 in?
Anyone know what mods if any need made to it?

 

[stupidboy]

Thanks Broncobowsher

 

[lars]

What Broncobowsher wrote, and some additional details: Cam synchronizer for a 3.8l V6 works, 98-99 Windstar is a good application. Additionally you need a a custom adapter sleeve, and a longer oil pump driveshaft. Application for the driveshaft is a 351 Cleveland/351M/400.

For the adapter sleeve, contact Garry Vance, AKA @EFI Guy. He may have some available. It's a simple part that adapts the large ID of the 351W distributor hole to the smaller OD of the 3.8 cam synchronizer and puts the gear at the correct height to engage the cam gear. I know this because I designed it. @Viperwolf1 has also made his own, probably from my drawing, and made a nice improvement for the hold-down clamp. There's a pic of it on this site somewhere. Hopefully he will see this thread and chime in.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Actually, I modified one I got from Gary.

 

[stupidboy]

Actually, I modified one I got from Gary.

Is that the one you’re sending me?

 

[stupidboy]

So……dose the electro magnet on top need to be changed to the one for 5.0l explorer?

 

[lars]

Actually, I modified one I got from Gary.

And that was brilliant. If I still had access to SolidWorks I'd update my part file to reflect the mod.

 

[lars]

So……dose the electro magnet on top need to be changed to the one for 5.0l explorer?

Nope. Same.

 

[nvrstuk]

Besides being ingenious as heck, super simple and thanks for helping me get setup with this years ago....
All I know is it WORKS extremely well, relatively easy to wire up, parts availability, and beats ANY and ALL aftermarket ignition systems I've ever used, worked on or had the privilege to not own as I rescued many from the hills surrounding our Valley over the decades.

 

[stupidboy]

Nope. Same.

Are there timing marks that need alignment to drop them in?

 

[nvrstuk]

... here's what the little alignment "tool" looks like pic #1 to drop the cam synchronizer pic #2 in place.
(less the spacer Lars designed)

 

[lars]

Are there timing marks that need alignment to drop them in?

That's one the things that makes this so simple.

Get the tool that Brian shared a pic of. Note that there are two flavors, one that works with the newer 2 wire sensor, the other works with the older 3 wire sensor, so verify what you have first by looking at the connector on the wiring harness. If you got your Explorer harness from @EFI Guy then it'll be 3 wire. Look for a tool that fits 98-99 Windstar.

Set the engine to #1 TDC referencing the timing mark on the balancer, no different than any other engine.

If the magnetic pickup is on the cam synchronizer, remove it- 2 little screws on top. Drop the tool into place on the synchronizer. Only fits one way, self-explanatory.

Now stab the synchronizer with the adapter sleeve into the distributor hole. Doesn't matter which way the arrow on the tool points except that when you reinstall the magnetic pickup, it needs to point in a direction such that you can connect the sensor plug.

Tighten the hold down clamp, reinstall the pickup, connect the cable. Done.

 

[73azbronco]

I feel I need to buy this even though I'm years away from a 427... Hmmm

 

[stupidboy]

It sounds like the tool is just for rotating the shaft to get it to drop in the cam gear and pump shaft.

 

[nvrstuk]

I feel I need to buy this even though I'm years away from a 427... Hmmm

We will give you all the moral support you'd ever want!!
Just no "go fund me" stuff here on CB!!

 

[nvrstuk]

It sounds like the tool is just for rotating the shaft to get it to drop in the cam gear and pump shaft.

...and aligns it for sensing the magnetic field at the proper rotation.

 

[EFI Guy]

For the adapter sleeve, contact Garry Vance, AKA @EFI Guy. He may have some available. It's a simple part that adapts the large ID of the 351W distributor hole to the smaller OD of the 3.8 cam synchronizer and puts the gear at the correct height to engage the cam gear. I know this because I designed it. @Viperwolf1 has also made his own, probably from my drawing, and made a nice improvement for the hold-down clamp. There's a pic of it on this site somewhere. Hopefully he will see this thread and chime in.

Funny you mention it, I just picked up a small batch the other day that I believe are already "Viper modded". I haven't had a chance to look at them yet.

You want to use the same year Windstar synchro and sensor as your Explorer donor. The split happened in the same year for both models.

 

[pcf_mark01]

I guess I am cheap. I took the stock 68 Bronco distributor apart, cut the housing down with a hacksaw removing everything above the clamp flange. Hit it with a belt sander to make it pretty. Then I tapped the shaft hole for a 3/8-16 screw then install a .500 long screw with some silicone on the threads and a washer. Then I cut the shaft off so it was short enough not to hit the bottom of the screw (plug) in the housing. It has been on the engine 5-6 years and several thousand miles and never leaked or given me a reason to even look at it. It takes up almost zero room and I mounted to coil packs over top of it.

I can;t see why you could not do that with any 351 distributor if it has the correct gear on it.