Just picked up a 97 explorer motor complete: now what?

[Biohazard]

I just traded for a good running 97 explorer 5.0 out of a totalled truck. I can get whatever I need off the donor, but according to the VIN it has the 5r55e trans, so thats a no go. I am wondering what all I can use as for as accessories, and what I'll need to do as far as the flywheel to bolt it up to my stock 3sp. I know the balance is different between the early and late engines. Also, can I mod the powersteering lines to work with the later model pump? I plan to EFI the motor eventually, but due to financial reasons, I'll probably run the carb for the time being because I really dont want my rig down while I'm gathering parts. What other parts should I rob off of the donor? I've got dibbs on everything attached to the engine, the radiator, factory harness, and a few other little pieces.

 

[Teal68]

I can't help you with all your questions, but I can with a few:
You will need the correct 50 oz. imbalance flywheel for that motor
You will also have to get a bracket to make the pivot point for your z-bar clutch linkage since that motor is missing one of the holes, or drill/tap the missing hole.
You can use the front dress, but you will have to route coolant hoses different.

 

[Biohazard]

ok thanks for the info

 

[Broncobowsher]

You need to double check what you have. The 5RE55 is a 5 speed auto only used with the 4.0 V6. So somewhere there is a disconnect between what you are calling for a transmission and what you are calling for an engine because those two were never put together.

Now if it really is a 5.0 you will want the complete front accessory drive. It will work with any induction from a carb all the way to the factory EFI. Really the sweatest accessory drive you can find. Sometimes a little clearance issue on the passenger side idler, but there are ways around it and worth it. For a flywheel you will need a 164 tooth truck flywheel (not the car 157 tooth or the starter will never engage). It needs to be a 50 oz-in balance, not the 28 that is with the old engine. So an 80's F150 302 flywheel.

But the 5.0 will also have a nice 4R70W auto behind it. That is about the nicest auto that easily fits into a Bronco. So another good choice even if you don't use it.

Now if you really do have the 5RE55 trans, you have a 4.0 V6. just let that one go to scrap.

 

[Biohazard]

I am certain it's a 5.0 engine. I laid eyes on it and heard it run. I could barely see the hash marks on the front of the head. I was a little confused on why the vin would say the trans was the 5r55, but I wasn't the one who looked it up, so I may try to snag it as well. It's an AWD, so the tc is worthless to me, but I would be mating it up to the d20 anyway. It may be a little while before I drop this in the old horse, have a lot of other parts to acquire. Thanks for the info.

 

[Broncobowsher]

The AWD transfer case is a computer controlled single speed. No value in a Bronco. But they do go bad and are expensive. So they are sellable. I remember looking at Explorers a few years back and a lot of them were being sold with known bad transfer cases (thus the reason for the sale).

The adaptor kit for a Bronco D20 transfer case to a ZF 5-speed is the same one needed to adapt to the AWD 4R70W that is found behind the 5.0 in the Explorers.

Look on the passenger side of the engine at the EGR. Does it have internal passages and a position sensor on top? That is an early version GT head.

External EGR supply off the manifold, no EGR position sensor (but with EGR pressure differential sensor) are the GTP heads.

 

[Biohazard]

That's good to know