hello, my name is paul and i have just 'inherited' a 1987 econoline 150 conversion van. my newer smaller more fuel efficient car kept breaking down so its getting sold and this is the only vehicle that hasn't broken down, isn't being used, and can haul all of my stuff. since i will be driving it for a long time (or until it dies for good) i want to know about its engine a little more.

my econoline has a 5.0 EFI engine and i have heard that it is the same 5.0 efi that ford put in their whole host of cars. is this true? what differences does it bear to the 5.0 found in the mustang? i assume the econoline shares the engine with the F150 of the same time period. the reason i ask is because i use it to haul lots of stuff, people, and people with their stuff, along with some towing, and it seems to lack the power that i would like it to have to easily do all of this. it has been given towing equipment (air suspention, some kind of beefy looking hitch, all of the wiring) and some power modifications too. (gibson 3" exaust, headers, k&n, hypertech chip, stronger ignition coil, and the timing was set for more agressive and runs on 93 octane fuel) i see that summit offers a kit by trick flow that is a top end kit for the 5.0 EFI windsor engine that it claims will fit the 5.0 efi, but doesn't specify econoline. if there is only 1 5.0 efi that ford made then i would assume this will fit my van, but i still can't find all of the information that i need. anything you could tell me would be great. also how is the 4 speed overdrive automatic transmission for being sturdy? [/align][/align]thanks![/align]Paul Rufledt[/align]

 

Hi Paul..

The 5.0 H.O in the Mustang/Lincoln ect. has a different firing order than the standard mill/base 5.0.. The H.O is 13726548 and the base engine/s are 15426378.. The H.O's are also a roller cam unit.. Not sure what the cam specs are or the comp ratio difference/s.. You can interchange an H.O motor into abase application, but would need to be wired for the H.O's firing order.. We used to buy later model Mustang engines atour local dismantler and long block them into higher mileage fleet application 'F' series trucks since they were so plentiful and cost affective for trucks that a reman. long block wouldn't really be an option if running out towards the end of it's service life....

 

rewiring for a new firing order doesn't seem all to difficult and i would assume that it means that the cam is also in a different order. would the new heads work with my block? or are the bolt patterns different? if the valvetrain is different does that also mean that the cam wouldn't work with my block? i guess the most important question i have is where can i get a detailed book on the specs of my 5.0 and the HO motor so i can figure out if these parts will work with my engine? does one exist? or do i just have to buy a shop manual for the mustang and my van?