'87 5.0SO to HO questions

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'87 5.0SO to HO questions

December 02, 2006, 02:49:40 AM

As some may know, I'm converting an '87 SO engine to HO, and dropping it in.
I was just wondering if there were any differences between the 2 years as far as connectors are concerned as my car is an '88, and I'll have to use an '88 harness. I'd look it up myself, but I've only got an '88 EVTM.

Second, I've got a set of 5.0 truck pistons (dished)...would y'all recommend having these cleaned up, and going ahead and using them too? As it is, i'm going to spring for new timing chaing/gears and oil pump, if I do use the dish pistons, I'll basically give the engine a "freshening-up", depending on how much cylinder taper and ring ridge it has. I just want it to last a year, yea and a half while I build my EFI 351w.

Since I don't really plan on using any but a stock HO cam, the dished pistons are probably just needless work, cause if I get THAT serious about the 5.0, I'll want to get new ones anyway...as in .030 over.
Just wondering what your opinions are....what you'd do in my position here.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #1 – December 02, 2006, 08:45:41 AM

If that's all you're doing,leave the pistons alone.I have an '86 H.O in my car,it has the forged flat tops,and the car runs great and pulls hard.It ran good when it had the E-6 heads.Swap in the cam,computer,headers and duals and off you go.Oh yeah,the 19# injectors as well.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #2 – December 02, 2006, 09:58:05 AM

If you use your 88 harness, you wont have any issues with connectors, the only issues is when you mix years. Like if you use an 87 harness in an 88.

As for your 5.0, if youre just running E7 heads and a stock cam, leave your pistons in there. You say its got a ridge, so dont even bother.

Hell, what id do, is use this engine as a running "mock up", get the car all set up, set up MAF down the line, pick up your little bolt ons, like pulleys, cold air, throttle body, etc, and when the time comes, swap all that onto your 351. You know itll work properly since it all worked on your HO.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #3 – December 02, 2006, 10:30:41 AM

Wiring harness will be the same from SO-HO,all sensors just plug right in.
Don't waist your time on the pistons if your swapping engines in a few years.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #4 – December 02, 2006, 10:46:25 AM

I agree. Me and my Dad are finally going to install the HO into my Tbird today.

I drove it down to Murdoch Tire, in Port Colborne, last night, and right after he gets off this afternoon, (he is the Head Mechanic there:cool: ) We will be pulling it into the shop and begining the swap. We are planning the have it done by tomorrow afternoon, at the latest.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #5 – December 02, 2006, 11:25:09 AM

Cool..yeah, I think i'll leave the pistons/bottom end alone.
I should have mentioned my car is a V6, so i'll have to find a 5.0 '88 harness. Also need an HO cam, and either '87-'88 5.0 fuel lines from a Bird/Coug, or modify my other V6 lines. I've got the E7's, stock Stang headers, and the ALL the other HO stuff. Hope to have this thing running by Christmas, then I'll need an H-pipe and exhaust.

Not to dog it, but it seems like kind of a let down, after all the fussin and stressin to do this, but I know that'll all change first time I lay into it

Thanks for the advice guys!

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #6 – December 02, 2006, 11:44:27 AM

awwright man thats it its on!!! see which one of us gets this done first!!!

cant wait to hear about how it goes for ya!

i know ill be postin pics as i go, and probably a lil' burnout/peel-out video when its all done

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #7 – December 02, 2006, 01:05:00 PM

I can't wait to do my GT-40 HO swap. I keep telling myself March is only 4 months away.............

Good luck on yours.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #8 – December 02, 2006, 01:06:04 PM

Oh yeah make sure you change the fuel pump. The HO needs more fuel than the V6.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #9 – December 02, 2006, 01:50:50 PM

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #10 – December 02, 2006, 01:53:17 PM

Yea you'll definetley love the power differance it makes.
Loved mine for the longest time,then got sick of all the over 300+hp cars there coming out with today,getting beat at almost every light by stock cars.
So i stepped it up to over 400+ and now i no longer feel intimedated,but am soon going to 500+ muhahahahahaha!!!

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #11 – December 03, 2006, 08:41:42 AM

Quote from: ZondaC12;116609

awwright man thats it its on!!! see which one of us gets this done first!!!
:cool:

looks like I win. Mine will be done today.
I will post some videos, and more pics when it is completed.

these are some pics of my Dad, sing the old gasket off the heads, that is my Mom too. she just stopped in to check on the progress. We had the motor, tranny exhaust and driveshaft on the shop floor in an hour and 15 min.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #12 – December 03, 2006, 08:48:05 AM

these are the new parts that are going on the HO motor before it goes in the bay. This will be the best looking motor I have ever done.

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #13 – December 03, 2006, 10:36:18 AM

well okay i guess we could say you win but i knew that! you mentioned that you were dumping the 5.0 in today, so i meant me v.s fordtruckfreek. we both have yet to start! (well i dunno if hes done anything but i cant do anything until sunday dec. 17th at the earliest)

'87 5.0SO to HO questions

Reply #14 – December 03, 2006, 12:05:50 PM

Ill have to agree, thats the best looking one so far.