1987 5.0 wtf?
02-22-2008, 01:59 PM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Posts: 19
1987 5.0 wtf?
Hey all, here's my confusion. I bought an '87 Thunderbird LX with a 5.0 and an AOD, and I transferred the engine and tranny into my 1977 Celica GT. This went surprisingly well, but after playing a little too hard with it, I now have a knock in my engine. I'm looking locally for either a replacement engine, or just a bottom end, but I'm not sure what engine I actually have. Most websites are telling me that I have a VIN F 5.0, and the VIN on the 'bird seems to confirm it, but the engine itself uses the 13726548 firing order (tried the other one, and it was definitely wrong). I'm under the impression that that firing order belongs to the H.O. cam. My question is: Did Ford make a 5.0 that had the HO cam for the T-bird? What, exactly, are the differences between the HO engine for that year and the base engine? BTW, I'm assuming the VIN F is supposed to be the base (150 hp) engine, right? Any illumination would help. It will suck to pull it all back out and do it over, but I'll be really pissed if I screw up and end up losing 70 horses in the deal. Thanks!
02-22-2008, 03:21 PM
#4
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RE: 1987 5.0 wtf?
ORIGINAL: ponyboy88
why a celica gt
why a celica gt
as for the motor this might be a good time to pull it and fix her up, a 5.0 is a 5.0 doesnt matter if its H.O. or not the only difference is the cam and the heads. get a nice set of heads a good intake and a nice cam put the firing order as the h.o. firing order and you will be good.
02-22-2008, 03:35 PM
#6
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RE: 1987 5.0 wtf?
Thanks for the info. I'm gonna end up pulling this engine eventually no matter what, and that may well clear this up when I check the #s on the block, but if I have the HO firing order, that does mean I have an HO cam, right? Engine doesn't have any overt HO markings, but... Also, I had headers custom made for this vehicle (clearing the steering was tough) -- the HO has different heads, but are the studs in the same place on the HO heads as the non HO heads? Has anyone tried putting an HO cam in a non HO block w/out doing machine work? I'm already close to over budget, and would love to just pick up a good block and bolt all my top end stuff on to save $.
I don't have pics right now, but will by the end of the day. Car is a modern rat rod, but looks externally stock. Kinda creepy how well the 5.0 fits in it. Thanks for the interest and info.
I don't have pics right now, but will by the end of the day. Car is a modern rat rod, but looks externally stock. Kinda creepy how well the 5.0 fits in it. Thanks for the interest and info.
02-22-2008, 04:09 PM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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RE: 1987 5.0 wtf?
Pics, per request. The shifter in the console is out of an '87 Cougar (the T-bird was column shift), but it fit in nicely. I've got cats and glasspacks, dual exhaust each exiting in front of the rear wheels. Thanks to everyone for the interest.