Pulling out the 5.0 V8 from a Ford Explorer for my 1968 Mustang V8 Swap

In this episode I search for a donor car for an engine swap for my 1968 Mustang and find a 1996 Ford Explorer with a EFI 5.0L H.O., 4-speed AOD-E automatic transmission and 8.8 rear axle with limited slip up in Hollywood, CA. I get it back to my garage and begin by cutting out the front end of the car. After a bit of a struggle, I finally get the 5.0 out of the Explorer along with the transmission, driveshaft, and wiring harness I'll need for the swap. Can't wait to get the V8 conversion started on the 68 Mustang.

[@NightWrencher]

Really cool! The 5.0 is probably the best swap for these cars, good job! The Explorer pretty much had everything you need, very smart 👍

[@petea]

You channel is very motivating. I am going to replace the shift bushings that have banished themselves from my Z. Wish me luck, thanks for the videos!

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Dude, that's awesome. I'm super happy to hear when I can motivate others on their projects. Best of luck to ya!

[@michaeldowney8429]

Definitely a major bummer about the 6 cylinder, but in the end, you’ll be much happier. A 5.0 liter Windsor in that old girl will bring a big smile to your face. Plus there’s a ton of things you can utilize to make it go even faster!

[@j.moren0412]

Got a 68 i6 as well, suscribed

[@spinosaurusonwaffles5809]

Really love your videos, I found your channel when you raced the 73 Charger, I have a 72 Charger and my wife has 65 mustang inline 6, doing the EFI on it. Your videos have helped alot.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

That's awesome, great minds think alike I guess. Good luck on your EFI swap, be sure to drop a comment if you have any advice.

[@peterbeningo4597]

You definitely open a few more doors with the 5.0 swap! The AOD can be a bit sluggish so you may want to consider converting to a T5 while your at this stage. They are plentiful and abundant, and would be more economical with the 3:73 rear gear. Also a good opportunity to get rid of the clutch fan and convert to an electric unit. The 130 amp alternator will support that addition. Among the tons of mods you can do to the engine, a good activity to perform in its current state (considering the miles) would be to replace the valve seals and step up to a stiffer valve spring. Factory 5.0's are know to fall on their face after about 45-4800rpm due to valve float. Love the channel, looking forward to which path you take. Best Regards Peter B.

[@timothybrummett4008]

I have that exact same engine and rear differential in my 66 coupe but with a five speed manual transmission performs great keep up the good work and God bless

[@noboltsleftbehind]

That’s awesome man, glad to hear! Question for you, which ecu are you running with the 5-speed (if it’s not carbureted of course)? I was curious if the factory auto transmission pcm could work with a manual.

[@timothybrummett4008]

I am needing help with the exact wires for the gauges and the OBD port wires if you could help me with that would be awesome. You did a good job in your video of hooking all that up but I couldn’t make out what wires go to the gauges and the OBD two port.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

@@timothybrummett4008 sure, the wires you're looking for (with the PCM harness connector numbers) are: #2 (brown/yellow) Tach Signal. #3 (pink/blue) OBD2 Port (twisted with #11). #6 (pink/green) Check Engine Light (ground switch). #7 (gray/black) VSS output (for electronic speedo). #11 OBD2 Port. #16 (red/white) Coolant Temp Gauge. #22 (purple) OBD2 Port. #26 (green/white) Oil Pressure Gauge. This is from my 1996 harness, I think the wire colors may vary slightly for different years but if you follow the PCM connector numbers you should be good.

[@givemeaname1999]

Atta boy! That was always the way to go!

[@NightWrencher]

At 17:02 "its a boy" 🤣🤣 didn't even realize someone was holding the camera and filming until I head talking

[@marcoflores3846]

I swapped a 1998 Explorer into my 1972 Ford Bronco about 15 years ago. There was no way to use the distributor-lees system and there was no way to use the explorer computer. I used a Holley 570 Street Avenger with an Edelbrock 4-barrel intake. For the distributor, I used a 1985 Mustang GT standard drive because the steel gear was needed for the roller motor. I used the 4R70w with an AA adapter. I used a WideBand from AEM to tune the proper air/fuel ratio. The tranny is controlled by quick-shift. 15 years after my dad gave my daughter a 1974 Bronco which will house a 1999 Explorer drivetrain with its fuel injection. Looking forward to your upcoming videos.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

I’m m hoping to run mine in the Mustang exactly like it was in the Explorer. Stock PCM and wiring harness for engine and transmission control. Wiring is gonna be tricky, hopefully it will work out!

[@MH-rb7lp]

Good choice, no replacement for displacement.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Absolutely right about that 👍

[@johnnyghia]

That was very disappointing the way the 6 cylinder went after all your efforts however I really like the route your going down now. Should be a great build.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Tell me about it man. I really tried hard to keep that original inline 6 but sometimes it’s just not meant to be.

[@johnnyghia]

@@noboltsleftbehind onwards and upwards 🤣👌

[@alotandstuff]

this is gonna be sweet.

[@oscarjimenez9814]

Nice work Time for a sawzall upgrade.😂

[@noboltsleftbehind]

A pack of new blades are on the way. Haha

[@marcoflores3846]

Excellent video, what year explorer did you use.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Thanks! It's a 1996

[@fordtech2282]

That's a nice ass ride, why not a junkyard pick?

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Thank you sir. I like to buy running driving donor cars so I can test drive the engine and transmission before buying. At the junkyard, its a crapshoot. I like having an entire car's worth of parts, on this swap I ended up re-using the wiring harness, driveshaft, rear axle, brake booster, and a bunch of other odds and ends. I sell off the parts I don't need and when it's all said and done, I usually end up making all my money back.

[@fordtech2282]

It makes sense, love the video........keep rocking!

[@talentworld6280]

Hi 11:06pm noboltsleftbehind, ive a similar swap like u had with the mustang n explorer. Now I got a free econoline 350 1995 ford 351w complete. I want to put trans n engine in my 1978 f150. Tell me all I need to take off the e350 to make trans n motor run in my 1978 f150?

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Hi, just off the top of my head besides the engine and transmission I'd say ECU, wiring harness, driveshaft, exhaust manifolds, power steering lines, and fuel pump if you want to try and run it in your original tank. Your 1995 should be OBD1 so wiring should be a little more simple than a 96+ engine.

[@MichaelBicking-ob3fe]

Do you know what year the explorer is ?

[@noboltsleftbehind]

It's a 1996

[@andynicoll8566]

Ok, six's are kinda cool but something about an old Mustang demands some power. Should be a fun project.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

I agree. The 6 cylinders are neat, certainly a novelty at car shows, but I’m the one who’s gonna have to daily drive it. Can’t wait for that torquey fuel injected 5.0.

[@efrenmora5975]

Can i use this motor on my 93 mystang with manual 5spd transmission?

[@noboltsleftbehind]

You sure can! The block is the same as a fox body 5.0 and the intake manifold is very similar.

[@infamousnova]

Atleast its not a LS

[@bubblebutt7418]

That explorer looked kinda nice tbh 🙂

[@noboltsleftbehind]

It was definitely very well taken care of. Should be lots of good parts for me to sell off 👍

[@grendel.6.531]

I have a question about swapping a ford explorer 5.0 and transmission into my 1976 ford f150. I’m new to this but I’m a seasoned mechanic so my question is this, if I pull the engine/transmission with ALL OF THE WIRING INCLUDING FUSE BOXES AND COMPUTERS can’t I just transplant all of that into my old truck and get it running? I’m not worried about transmission to driveshaft or engine mounts or headers or exhaust. I’m talking about taking EVERYTHING out with wiring and installing into my 1976 f150. It seemed to me that it should be able to run in this configuration. Same accessories, cooling system, etc. am I missing something here? Nothing different. Same everything transplanted into my old truck. Fuel system included. Why wouldn’t it run on the stock computers or will it? Thanks 🙏 for your reply sir. I’ve already swapped my 68 stang onto a 2005 chassis so metal work is not a problem. HELP ME PLEASE!!!! 😂❤

[@noboltsleftbehind]

I would say absolutely that would work! You'll end up with a lot of extra wires you won't need but there's no harm in ignoring them and sealing the plugs off. This is basically exactly what I did, with the extra step of cutting out the unnecessary wires. I'm using the factory computer, harness, sensors, everything and it's been running great.

[@patrickhoward9600]

This is my plan for 65 mustang

[@ggonzalez347]

I’m doing the exact same thing you’re doing on my 68 Mustang. Straight six to 5.0 HO EFI swap.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

That's awesome man, we'll have to compare notes

[@jeffreyrigged]

one thing im going to say is dont use these heads. These will be gt40p and you wont find a good header to bolt up to it and its way more expensive if you do. I recommend getting a set of those knock off aluminum heads online. There cheap.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

These guys are actually regular GT40 heads, they switched to the GT40P mid-year 1997 I think so I should be good for regular small block headers. It was actually part of the reason I went with the ‘96.

[@jeffreyrigged]

@@noboltsleftbehind Oh i did not see the year. Just saw explorer. Yes the gt40 heads will be a good set up for you.

[@PaperMoshe]

Homer Simpson: “It’s a boy… and what a boy!” Dr. Hibbert: “Uhh, that’s the umbilical cord. It’s a girl.”

[@Bertvega94]

Waiting for the next episode! I’m doing the same for my 68

[@noboltsleftbehind]

That’s awesome! Keep us posted on the progress 👍

[@TekMan05]

Great job pulling that thing out. If by chance you part out let me know. That body is in terrific shape!

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Thanks, I definitely am parting it out. Got half an Explorer sitting in my backyard, haha.

[@eekay3646]

I thought you were doing a Coyote swap......

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Donor car are still too expensive, unless you're donating...? Haha

[@eekay3646]

@@noboltsleftbehind Junkyard F150 bro. I see them buying coyote engines for $2K on all those muscle car videos. It sure beats paying 10 grand for a new crate one. With 400 + hp, that thing would fly. Good luck on your build.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

@@eekay3646 true, but junkyard motors scare me. Don't know how they run, if they run at all. Can't see mileage with a digital odometer. Can't really do a compression test out there in the yard. But good deals can be had for sure if you're willing to roll the dice.

[@LeesGarage]

Awesome video. I’m looking forward to the rest of this project.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

Thanks! I feel like pulling this motor out gave me my second wind.

[@matzrat5006]

youre looking for 165 and higher in a performance engine.

[@noboltsleftbehind]

My tester is very old and very cheap, it’s possible it reads a little low. I don’t usually see anything over around 150

[@matzrat5006]

@@noboltsleftbehind put a little oil into cylinders, if it goes up, see is tired. but at 150, still will run good.

[@NightWrencher]

@@matzrat5006 probably has a little blow by. That just means its ready for boost 😎 also, looks like his numbers went lower as he went along so that battery could also be weak which could cause the low readings 🤷‍♂️