350 swap how hard is it

[Herbaljedi]

k Im getting ready to swap my 99 ranger from the 3.slow to a 350, t400, 9" combo. My question is how difficult is this really gonna b? I know what Im doin and have help but Ive never done a V8 swap before. Ill probly start with carbs just for an eazy fix but plan to swap to FI later. Just wondering if its gonna be a pain in the ass or pretty straight forward. Is it harder cause of the frame on the 99? any help/ideas would kick ass thanks.

[Herbaljedi]

Bump, nobody?

[PNW078]

Have done it twice now. The main problem is the exhaust and power steering pump. The frame rails are really tight against both. The first one we used street rod hugger headers and cut them off at the collectors and rebuilt them to clear the starter and frame rails. This time we built custom headers to go over the frame rails. The power steering pump and steering shaft will always be in the way of something if you retain the stock parts. We lowered the motor this time and had to use a circle track steering system as the stock pump wouldn't fit anymore. Also a good portion of the tunnel has to be removed to make it fit unless you lower the motor mounts.

[Herbaljedi]

thanks, so i should drop the MMs like what 1" or more?

[fordnut]

Put a 5.0 in it! I have read that many of the V-8 Explorer parts bolt in. If this is your first swap do some reading and learn from what the other guys did.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/V8Conversions.html

[Herbaljedi]

pnw thats what i was thinkin but, shorty headers for the s10 should work no? how much u want for a set of those headers bro? and I was thinkin about the bms steering coloum and u joints at the bottom? not my first swap, just never put a sbc in a ranger. I know it fits i grew up with a guy who has a 350 in a courier, so room isn't the question. what Im really wondering is mounts, rad clearance, oil pan that kind of good stuff. why would I put a ford motor back in it? Im getting rid of the weak link in the og motor haha