I had to
Picked up another build, super score but it was a 3.5 hour tow!! 
This 98 is CLEAN 2 owner very well cared for until it swallowed all of its coolant
Looks like a botched engine rebuild/head job only lasted a few years
4.0 had water up to the throttle body! Holy crap that is alot of coolant/water in the engine
Even the air filter was soaked
This engine has been out before, the heads are not stock
Transmission has also been out, trans is good rebuild
Regardless I just happen to have a 5.0 drivetrain sitting around so
Here goes another 302 swap!

Plan is stock low mile 302/4r70w with full tune up, disc brake 8.8 in the rear, 4406e or manual t case, some tasteful updates along the way, and build this 98 up to sell.
On to the pics!!

Shop cats are first to inspect, no mice in our trucks

Last edited on Thu Sep 19th, 2019 08:18 pm by 410customs

project 98 is moving along a bit now
drivetrain donor came into the shop to give up its engine and trans
engine was stripped down so it can be re sealed and tuned up






Back outside, goes on trailer to give up its axles and front suspension components so we can delete the ranger vacuum hubs

Last edited on Wed Nov 6th, 2019 08:11 pm by 410customs

here we go
truck is getting some attention
first we tore the engine down and re sealed it with new Fel pro gaskets. I was happy to find the "sealed power" engine gasket kit sold to me on Rockauto when delivered was the Fel pro blue gasket set I prefer to install on these 5.0.
This engine came from a 97 eddie with 169K strong runner. The timing cover and water pump had been replaced prior, when they did the repair they tore the front main seal and it had an oil leak for who knows how long.This drivetrain required lots of cleaning but all the bolts came with little effort. Truck ran like a top, no codes, I drove it into the shop. 
The AWD t case was fubar, the trans was questionable weird shift 2-3, will be used as a core. 
I have a good 4t70w from my collection with only 15K on it since rebuild, so we are using that. 
I found a 97 F150 parting out locally and sourced the good t case and front driveshaft from craigslist

Gaskets were done, engine completely  re sealed and tuned up lots of new parts
All bolts and holes threads chased on the engine. I tossed the 97 explorer exhaust manifolds and oil cooler in the trash. For this build we are using 2001 5.0 manifolds with new gaskets and a 99 explorer oil filter mount, fuel rail and injectors. Also using the 97 eddie bauer PCM
4r70w was drained and cleaned, new rear main seal installed. Trans stabbed and 4406e shift t case from a 97 F150 installed. 98 Ranger t  case shift motor used.

Headed to the junk yard today to get some parts we need like the 98-01 style oil filter mount

The v8 conversion is moving forward quickly now that fall chores are done (firewood, winterize, prep for snow, re arranged entire shop, built huge storage shelves, etc etc)
Should be running in next few days, we will be sourcing rear d shaft and building the exhaust.

Pics!!
this 98 cleans up SO NICELY, started working the paint with a cleaner wax to remove oxidation...so far so good! Well kept 98

Oh and I got a new parts washer!! HOORAY!! Needed a good one for so many years now.....







outside for a wash


42 degrees out plenty warm to clean engine bay, right?


clean bay


swapped v8 power steering line and throttle cable
v8 starter harness and trans lines installed engine dropped in place



trans cleaned and drained




4406e with speed sensor from 97 F150


Cats approve the new V8

Last edited on Wed Nov 20th, 2019 08:49 pm by 410customs

Last edited on Wed Nov 20th, 2019 02:44 pm by Eddie Money

Last edited on Wed Nov 20th, 2019 08:21 pm by 410customs

Last edited on Thu Nov 21st, 2019 09:00 am by 410customs

I love my furballs. Lil girl is stickin her tongue out and chubby is chillin

Last edited on Wed Nov 20th, 2019 10:34 pm by Eddie Money

Last edited on Fri Nov 22nd, 2019 10:00 am by 410customs

Now time for some simple mods to make this thing think it was a 302 from the factory

the 97 F150 front driveshaft works perfectly with our 4406e t case and ranger front diff as long as we install a 1310 to 1330 conversion U joint
Spicer part 5-134x, Oreillys actually keeps these in stock!


The airbox mount for the 5.0 is slightly longer, so we simply drill out the v6 plate


V6 vacuum ball is mounted where the vacuum hubs controls used to reside:


engine is dressed with front accessories, all plumbing routed. All parts cleaned and prepped before install
You can see all the wiring we did earlier is loomed and routed


Finally the UIM is installed, EGR is plumbed, all vacuum and intake hoses installed and routed


My neighbor and business partner took the liberty to sand blast and paint the intake plate, it came out stellar!!

today we tackle the exhaust and measure for rear driveshaft. This conversion is pretty much done. 
Finally when parts arrive, we will tackle the front end work, this thing is getting explorer bits to delete the vacuum hubs. 
We will install new ball joints, brakes and sway bar links to go with it. 
Then we dismantle the interior for a full detail (carpet steam clean) and find some nice new 33" tires. 
Truck will be for sale in the next week or so which is good because its time for me to move onto the 07 project
We also have a 98 Ranger going from 3.0 to 4.0 here and a 02 Sport trac getting a 5.0
Always something going on here at 410Customs :)

Last edited on Sun Nov 24th, 2019 11:09 am by 410customs

Hey I do what I can with what I got :)
Engine is all buttoned up, took a bit extra because when I went to hookup the fuel evap canister line it was full of water!!! FUN FUN. Remember the 4.0 in this ranger was full of water up to the throttle body. The kid must have been having some fun in a puddle until the engine hydrolocked.

Oh well............ V8 now. 
We took the time to remove some fuel lines and check for water, luckily it never went past the casnister purge solenoid. She is all hooked up now, the plumbing and vacuum are done. The fuel pump is delivering fresh clean fuel to the engine now and we are just about to fire her up . Engine bay buttoned up with new packard wires bosch air filter, cleaned MAS, plumbed vacuum and EVAP lines.





Ready for the battery and fluids


First things first, had to finish servicing the transmission with a new Motorcraft filter ad flush the coolers and lines with a can of Kooler Klean. Parts washer is so nice to have makes short work of cleaning the pan.
We let the trans drain from the converter and the pan with filter removed for a couple of days. This transmission was also drained two years ago when I got it. So it should take about a full 12-14 quarts of Mercon 
V, the more of the "old fluid" we can get out now the better!

had to sticker it up as soon as it landed in its new spot






Now to build some exhaust and measure for new rear driveshaft
more pics coming!

All ready for winter around here, so far not much snow

Last edited on Mon Nov 25th, 2019 11:39 am by 410customs