5.0 broke what are my options?
 

So my 5.0 started making terrible noises, and through some checking it seems as though the #1 intake side of the lifter spider broke and i am guessing this let the lifter rotate which broke or ground it off. I'm not 100% but by looking through the pushrod hole with the rocker off it looks as though the spider is missing on the intake side and the lifter is dropped in the hole. What im wondering is has anyone heard of this happening and what are my options?

I was thinking about throwing a new cam and lifters in, but was unsure if i can do that with the motor in the car and what damage might have been done internally due to the breakage. I know unfortunately I wont be able to tell until I pull the intake and look at the lifter, but dont want to do that yet, as then the car will not move.

I also was unsure what choices i had for dropping a new engine in. What year 5.0s would be direct fit for my injected setup? Also will a 5.8 drop right in or are there modifications needed? If so, how hard is it? will I have hood clearance issues with the taller deck height and will my accessories bolt up to a 5.8? Also would a carb 5.8 work or are they different/junk to use? I have a line on a bronco for cheap with a 5.8 in it, but I dont want to buy it if I have to spend a ton to adapt everything. I am on a limited budget of course and would rather not just throw a junkyard motor in as I only have like 30k on this one since the rebuild.

Thank you for your input.

p.s. anyone with a spare motor laying around in SE Conn. I might be interested.

5.8 is not a direct swap, it will require a good amoutn of parts to fit it in there. Get a JY 302 and just replace your current engine.

If I wasn't leaving for Kuwait in 4 weeks, i'd be willing to help you out.

Adder you just answered every question I had about you, army/marine/airforce?

and as per the question, sounds like worst case scenario you need a cam and new lifters/pushrods