well im new to fords..ive had a few v8 s10's but i thought id try something new this time..ive got an 84 with a 302 and i just bought a pretty mild 351w for it and i wasnt sure about things like headers...i would prefer long tubes but i wasnt sure what would fit...and oil pans..the motor has a high flow pump and i didnt want to run it dry with a stock pan...also rear ends...im thinking 8.8 out of explorer with 3.73...but any feedback, suggestions and help would be great..thanks

 

I changed from 302 to 351W thinking it was going to be a easy upgrade . . . not so. I made custom headers out of chopping up 2 sets to get it to clear the steering gearbox. Used dual sump oil pan from a van but then had to install a longer pitman arm to keep steering from contacting front sump of pan. Passenger side valve cover clearance at the heater box was also a problem but it helped using early 260 V8 low-profile valve covers cause I had stock valvetrain. Biggest of the issues though is the exhaust. Check out my album, it has some pictures you might find usefull.

 

I've only had 302 based engines in my rangers. The 351 is a little wider and taller. If I had a 351 roller block when I built mine, it's have one in it. The explorer rear axle is a good choice however it's wider than your current axle.

 

Oh ya . . . about the rear end. After tearing up 2 of the stock 7.5 rears, I rebuilt a used 8.8 with a limited-slip from a '94 Ranger 4x4 4.0L . It was 1" wider per side at the backing plates but otherwise was a direct bolt in . . . the spring perch location was exactly the same. The Explorer rear ends I guess can be used but every one that I saw had the spring perch mounts on the bottom instead of the top and I would have had to cut off the perches and relocate them to work. My advice would be to find a Ranger 8.8 (most with v6 & 4wd have them) with the gearing you want . . . plug & play.

 

for the rear end wait and spend the coin for an 8.8 31 spline axle out of either an 02 fx4 or later level 2, either that or go to junkyards and pull axles out of rangers with an r7 axle code from the door sticker.