I really like this site. It has tons of info for '97-03 trucks. Its not just filled with threads on changing plugs and what oil to use. There is a lot of good threads and articles here. So, I'll start a build-up thread.

Bought a 2wd '97 with a blown 4.2. Truck has 110,000 miles on it. The 4.2 I took out was a replacement with around 30,000 on it. They are expensive to replace and rebuild for how small and simple they are. More investigating led me to the conclusion its one of the worst motors Ford put in. But, I found out it shares the SBF bolt pattern. The short story here is that I'm swapping in a 5.0 I built, but its only going to be in till I get the other one built for twin turbos. This motor should put out 350-375hp at the crank. The trans is getting built, a 9.75 axle with disc is going in the rear. I'm putting Expedition brakes up front and it will be on some 17x10" wheels to start.


Its a plain ole ext. cab XLT. It hit a deer. I have a 2000 F150 for a parts truck (IMO, a better looking front end). I also have a Roush Racing body kit to put on.





The motor mounts were easy to make. I even got the 302 to sit a couple inches or more lower than the 256. Which also may be why I can't fit long tubes on.


I was able to trim the a/c bracket, drill and tap new holes, and bolt the stock a/c pump back up with all the charge still in the system. Its not that I don't have the equipment to do it(I do HVAC), but I don't have any pumps that will match up to the hose's manifold block location.


130amp alternator, and all accessories bolted on the front.



A little relocation of plugs and wires and a second computer sits here nicely.





I did test it, and I can still change the belt. At worst, its a couple bolts and it will pull right out again.

No other pics or pictures of the parts truck I have yet.

Motor build specs:
302 EFI
*early 70s D2OE heads
~ported
~1.95 intake, 1.52 exhaust
~stainless valves
~Comp cams dual valve springs
~Scorpion 1.72 roller rockers
~Comp Cams push rods
*flat top, .030 over pistons w/moly rings
*unknown roller cam(more lift than stock, lost specs I had)
*Comp Cams Magnum double roller timing chain
*Summit Racing blueprinted oil pump
*stock ported 5.0 truck lower intake
*port matched 5.8 upper
*ARP head bolts and main studs
*Summit bi-metal bearings
*Procomp fluid damper
*Edelbrock water pump
*24lb injectors
*X303 computer
*76mm MAF meter
*custom cold air through K&N cone
*Morrosso 3.5" straight through glass packs
*MSD Pro Billet distributor
*MSD 6AL ignition box
*Jacobs Electronics ceramic boot 8.5mm wires

Transmission:
4R70W
Hughes 2000HD stall converter(2,200-2,500 rpm stall)
Mech. Diode
updated intermediate shaft
TCI shift improver kit
adding clutches

Chassis:
9.75 swap
Expedition brake swap, front
brace/box parts of frame
6 point cage

Body:
I have a 2000 F150 4x4 for parts. Front clip has all been replaced within a few years. I'd change it over even if my front clip wasn't damaged. That grill set-up and the honey comb looks 10x better. As said earlier, a Roush Racing body kit will set it off. I'm thinking of doing some other things, but do know that emblems are getting shaved.

The exhaust should sound great when its finished. If I can with out too much trouble, I'll chop one of the sets of full length headers I have to fit. If not, a set of ceramic shorties will work I guess. They will flow down into a high flow y-coupling I'll make and then dump through a 3.5" exhaust(just because I have it).

The engine is getting ran with a Cobra computer and a stand alone Ford Racing harness. Not really that hard to install. I was going to try and keep the factory computer in and attach key sensors to it so I could get it driving right away. I found out that I have to have a camshaft position sensor in place so it shifts correctly. So screw that. I'll get a Baumann stand alone controller.

So after I get the above finished, I'll get to work on getting the Cobra motor I have ready to take some turbo power. But thats a ways away. I don't even have enough funds to get the trans parts, brakes, or tie rods and joints I need yet. Plus, I need a different fuel pump and a stand alone controller for the trans. At this point, I need at least another $1k in parts to just drop it down and get it driving.

 

holy **** im about to performance build my 351 (i know you put in 302) and sell it but now im about to rip out my 4.6 and sell it. damn that looked easy as hell i might twin it also and convert to tbi thats a great idea how long did it take you to swap it

 

That is an awesome swap man. Cant wait to see what else you got in store for it

 

nice build!

one question tho. why are you keeping the radiator shroud if you have electric fans?

 

Swapping it in and doing what I have done was only a couple days work. The trans is out waiting for parts to build it up.

The radiator shroud was just more or less because I was bored. It will help with the flow slightly because the fans don't cover the whole radiator area. Having the shroud should pull air over the whole thing. I have a 5.4 radiator to swap in now.

 

Awesome build so far man!! Any updates at all??

 

^X2

Cant wait to see the finished product!

 

get a video of it running

 

Nothing new yet. I'm waiting on funds for parts. I haven't decided what to do for the rear axle yet. I have a couple of old 9" axles here. If I had a machine shop drill out the flanges, I could still run the same metric wheels. And the speed sensor isn't a real big deal to get working on it. Gears are cheap, and I have a limited slip that needs repaired for it.

Either that or a 9.75. I'm liking the idea of putting it into a Bronco instead though.

 

what guage cluster are you going to run

 

Stock '97 cluster. Speedo should work fine, but I'm not sure on the tach. The stock computer takes in various signals from the cam sensor and coil pack, converts it, and sends out a signal to the cluster for the tachometer. I'm going to first try and just hook the tach signal out from the X303 computer to the cluster. If it doesn't work, I'll find a way to put in something like this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-800104/?rtype=10

 

any updates on the build?

 

was that easy i know your is fuel injected but what intailed in like assecories cause if i do this im goin carbed

 

nice!

 

man i hungry for an update man