I'm thinking of doing a 5.0 swap and I've done some reading and I found this .. I know this motor has some extra stuff but will it work and can I use my manual tranny with a 5.0 as long as I get a bell housing adapter ??

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/pts/4265700952.html

 

Motor should be fine for your truck mountaineer and explorer are the same car with different badges and are based off the ranger so mine mods and your good to go. Your 5 speed will not last long behind that 302 its a light duty trans and a strong 4.0 can tear one apart easily. So best bet would be to upgrade the trans as well.

 

Is there manual tranny available I've only seen automatics

 

Look for a mustang with a 302 and manual the shifter will be farther back which will require mods and the older f150s had the M5R2 which is a stronger version of the ranger trans it should be close to same shifter location but may need a modified shifter to clear the dash. I believe theres a thread on which ones will fit and what mods are needed.

 

Use an M5OD from behind a 97-03 F150 with a 4.2 litre V6. Its the small block bellhousing pattern and it puts the shifter right in the correct location. Bolts right up to the trans mount also.

 

Couple of things.
2001 uses 65psi returnless fuel system, I believe Ford only started using this system in '98, so the '97(or earlier) engine would have the wrong injectors and rail, 35psi system with return line, and changing the fuel pump and adding a return line would be a PITA.

You need the computer(and wiring harness) from a 5.0l WITH manual transmission for best results.

The manual trans adds quite a bit more labor since the explorers with 5.0l, the most popular swap, had automatics.

You could just beef up your 4.0l SOHC
4.0l SOHC Ranger was 205 base HP
5.0l Explorer/Moutaineer was only 215BHP

 

You dont have to change the pump. I just put in a return line which wasnt that bad at all.