I have a 99 ranger and a complete 98 5.0 explorer. I have obtained a 99 fuel rails and harness too.

My question is

Should I bump up to the 351 if i get the short block for free?

 

2 different monsters
a 5.0 from an explorer bolts in from what i understand.. the 351 is gonna take some work.

BUT 5.0s are in a ton of rangers.. go for the 351 if you have the time/skills

 

From what I have searched so far in regards to the gt40p stuff bolts on. The Windsor blocks use the same trans.

Only issue seems to be headers. The deck height is the only difference in the 2 blocks, this is where the extra cubes come from.

 

You will have probably have clearance issues because the extra deck height also makes the engine a couple of inches wider. Areas to watch are the HVAC box and exhaust to frame clearance and exhaust to steering shaft. These are tight even with the 5.0.

GT-40P heads from the 302 Ex are the correct basic dimension to fit the 351 but check bolt size. I believe that the 302 uses 7/16" head bolts while the 351 uses 1/2".

If you plan to use the GT40 intake from the Ex, you will need a different lower like the one on the 351 Lightning engine from the mid 90s. Again because the increased deck height causes a wider spead between the heads.

 

Headers will be a major issue unless i reuse stock manifolds. In that case whats the point of a 351.


Also belt length will need to change due to all the acc bolt to the heads.

 

Ford Ranger V-8 Engine Swap

Explains it all. 5.0 vs 5.8windsor vs 4.6 DOHC/SOHC