Dave240vert

Hey, i was just curious as to what the main differences between the 5.0 from a mustang and the 5.0 from the towncar was. i'm pickin up a shell from a friend and found a 5.0 motor from a local junkyard for real cheap. should i not bother with this motor or what?

by the way, i'm new here and just woke up so please forgive me if this topic has been discussed before and i just couldn't find it. thanks i did find this though:
https://mustangforums.com/forum/5-0-...vs-5-0-ho.html
but besides the cam, it really doesn't talk about much of a difference. anyone got any other ideas?

Redline5.0

You're better to find a 5.0 from a mustang of a similar vintage and pull the motor and harness from that.

As for the town car, I used the 5.0 from one for my old ranger project. Worked out well. If I remember correctly, the cam and lifters were about the only difference. Obviously the intakes and maps are going to be different as well. Depends on what you're trying to do.

If you want fuel injection, go mustang, for a carbed application, either would work.

Dave240vert

thanks. that was definately a big help and a good steer in the right direction. couldn't have been a more perfect answer

mjr46

compression is lower, heads are often restrictive e6's and pistons are not forged and can be slightly dished, cam is non h.o and will not work with sefi mustang injection

zoomie

differences that i am aware of are heads,cam,upper and lowr intake,pistons
i have a 87 townie that am converting to an HO, some say Ho converted motors run better than an actual HO

projectresto83

^^Some people must be stupid then because even after being converted they still have a lower compression so they still lack power. If you are converting one you might as well add some performance to it instead of using the stock H/C/I. You can find at LEAST explorer top end to place on it if you grabbed stuff from a junk yard.

Redline5.0

It may also have to do with budget. If you're cost limited to scrap yard parts, then its more what you can find and what you can afford.

I know the budget for my motor is more than some people have into their cars in total.... However, there are some who have more into their motor then I have in my car. If its a first swap, leave well enough alone for a season, beat it, and then rebuild.