Explorer Roller Motor Transmission Options

[trailerjack]

I recently got a Explorer motor that has been fully rebuilt, a friend of mine had it built at an engine shop here and spent quite a bit doing so, and I have a project that needs an engine, so here we are.

It is still wrapped in plastic in my shop, but he says it was built to about 300 hp, GT40 heads, and had it set up so he could run a carb on it. I also have a serpentine belt setup for it as well.

So I'm not very engine knowledgable, with this motor (if I need to present more specifics I can do so), what would be the easiest and simplest swap into my project. Could I do a C4? I know I wouldn't have overdrive, but man I am just afraid that adding a computer to the mix may drown me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

BTW I have searched on the site extensively and have only asked this question after not really finding an answer (probably to easy for most everyone), so here we go.

 

[SevenT]

Transmission options

Trailerjack,

The Bronco came with either a 3 speed manual or a C4 automatic. Which one do you have?

My Bronco came with the 3 speed and I replaced it with an AOD and just recently installed a ZF 5 speed as a millennial anti-theft device.

View the transmission section of the Tech Articles and you will find more than enough information. Good luck.

v/r,

SevenT

 

[BroncoChicken]

Yes you can run a C4.

 

[trailerjack]

Trailerjack,

The Bronco came with either a 3 speed manual or a C4 automatic. Which one do you have?

My Bronco came with the 3 speed and I replaced it with an AOD and just recently installed a ZF 5 speed as a millennial anti-theft device.

View the transmission section of the Tech Articles and you will find more than enough information. Good luck.

v/r,

SevenT

Thanks ! Right now it has neither in it. It had a 3 speed but is now sitting on the floor in my shop.

 

[trailerjack]

Yes you can run a C4.

Thanks, so much. I want to use this motor because well, its here, but also like the traditional equipment that came on EB's (namely the C4). ALso ease of use when installing, maintaining is also a huge consideration.

 

[sykanr0ng]

An Explorer 5.0 engine with a carb is a 302 by another name but still the same.
Understand that and don't psych yourself out.

 

[gnpenning]

The cam information is something you will need to have. Will it build power in the right rpms for a Bronco? It will also help in getting the right torque converter.

 

[trailerjack]

An Explorer 5.0 engine with a carb is a 302 by another name but still the same.
Understand that and don't psych yourself out.

Thanks, I had no idea...this whole idea of non-original engines is new to me.

 

[trailerjack]

The cam information is something you will need to have. Will it build power in the right rpms for a Bronco? It will also help in getting the right torque converter.

I will get a hold of the engine guy and see if I can get some sort of build sheet to help with that. Thanks so much!

 

[1strodeo]

Trailerjack,

My Bronco came with the 3 speed and I replaced it with an AOD and just recently installed a ZF 5 speed as a millennial anti-theft device.

but...but...you started out with the best anti-theft trans known to man!! ;D

 

[SevenT]

Transmission

1strodeo,

I loved the 3 speed until it broke and I had to go AOD since it came with the EFI 5.0 out of the Lincoln Town Car. The ZF should be just as confusing as the 3 speed was. Thanks for the laugh about the 3 on the tree shift pattern.

v/r,

SevemT

 

[mtp71174]

Keep in mind that roller motors are 50 oz balanced early broncos are 28 oz so get the 50 oz flex plate/fly wheel. If you go manual the adapter to the block for clutch linkage.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The engine balance issue. The damper through the flywheel/flexplate has to match the engine.

A C4 will bolt up just fine. As with just about everything, there are various versions. Some work better, some are not worth it.