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FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: urchinhead on December 29, 2021, 12:41:10 AM

Title: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: urchinhead on December 29, 2021, 12:41:10 AM
I have had a 1998 Explorer 5.0 sitting in my garage for quite a few years. It was actually a present from my friend who bought a spare during, “Cash for Clunkers,” and was destined for my Jeep’s engine bay ever since. Fast forward quite a few years, does anyone have some insight on these motors?

The GT40P heads were great in their day, but will require custom headers to work. Aftermarket heads ( allegedly available in 2-3 months) will also require custom headers unless Novak Conversions can help me out.

The wiring is relatively a pain, as many just abandoned the Explorer stuff and used the Mustang AL9 ECU with a distributor rather than the crank and cam sensors with the waste-coil spark ignition. The Holley Dominator set-up looks to be the best bet, but the crank sensor may not work with the factory crank trigger. Any help is appreciated - I’m trying to get this motor ready for an early summer install, and hope to install a custom cam and low psi supercharger later if eBay presents the 6 psi Powerdyne that I have have been looking for.
Title: Re: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: machoneman on December 29, 2021, 09:21:44 AM
How many miles on the engine?

Those GT40P heads are quite good for factory stuff. Since it's headed for a Jeep, I'll guess low-mid range power is what you're looking for, pre-supercharger.

Often very high mileage 5.0's (and 351's) show little bore wear and even less bearing wear, given normal oil changes. Before yanking it out and assuming it runs, I'd run a compression test and even a leak down test to see what you've got. If it's all good, yank the front cover and accessory dress and replace the timing gear set as if it's anywhere near 100K miles, that chain IS loose! 

Sorry, can't help on the wiring issues.
Title: Re: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: Katz427 on December 29, 2021, 09:25:43 AM
I have, a 5.0 explorer engine ( gt40 heads) in my ranchero. The engine had very little run time. Looked it over, everything was good so... I installed the Crane version of the E303 cam, 1.73 roller rockers, a Kennebell 1.5 liter supercharger, shorty headers.
I purchased an SDS efi system to control everything from Western Motorsports in Canada. It has worked flawlessly for 12 years now. I run about 7.5 psi boost max. You can do about anything you want with the SDS system and the people at Western Motorsports were very helpful.  They know Fords, and build and race them, and "cut" their teeth on the 5.0 Windsor.
Title: Re: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: machoneman on December 29, 2021, 09:29:52 AM
More here on low bore and bearing wear on a 111,000 mile 5.0.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1904-diy-tips-tricks-to-rebuilding-302w-short-block-on-budget/
Title: Re: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: Katz427 on December 29, 2021, 09:36:00 AM
I just checked, Western Motorsports still has the SDS system with wiring harness and hand controller for $1196.96 US. The system can even data log now.  I pull out about 5 degrees of timing at 7.5 psi, using 91 octane that is fairly common around here.
Title: Re: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: urchinhead on December 29, 2021, 08:40:25 PM
I believe this engine arrived at the yard with 130,000 and ran with no issues. Good advice about the timing chain, I will swap that out. The exterior looks much better than the motor in the article, and I don’t plan on rebuilding it, but I will spin it and check compression/leak down, most likely when already installed. Not sure if I will be able to spend time cobbling together a run stand.

Right now the two hang-ups are the Explorer front dress (wanted for good accessories and also because it is the shortest dress for Windsor motors), which requires a custom crank pulley for a supercharger, along with the crank sensor as previously noted. I suppose I can use a TFI distributor if needed, which I pulled from an HO 5.0 Lincoln in case it was needed. I really just want to use the factory coils if possible, or install coil-on-plug or coil-near-plug for each cylinder.

I checked out SDS. I am going to send them a message or call some time tomorrow.
Title: Re: Last generation Windsor 5.0
Post by: 410bruce on December 30, 2021, 11:26:54 AM
Urchinhead, I may have what you need as far as the factory front dress and engine management wiring harness and ignition system.
I see you're in SF. I'm up in Eureka.
Let me know if you're interested and I'll dig the stuff out and get some pics.