89 GT / will a 5.0 truck motor work?
 

Motor change - can you help?
I own a 89 GT conv. 5.0/auto that needs an engine change.

I also have a very low mileage 5.0 truck motor.

I installed a new cam and got the motor ready to put into my car but then had problems when bolting to the trans? It seems there is a problem there.

It all lines up, but when you tighen the trans bolts, the engine, flex plate and convertor will not freely spin.

I cannot see what is binding it and need someone to tell me if I have done something wrong and if so, how to correct it.

Thanks, Robert miskae@tiki.net

Did the truck have a stick shift? If so, you need to remove the pilot bearing from the crank.

Also, the '89 Mustang engine has a roller cam, but the truck engine doesn't.

Take care,
-Chris

More details re truck motor
 

The truck motor is a 1995 - roller cam/rockers. I do not know if the motor was on an auto or 5spd? Remove pilot bearing? I do not know what this is or what to look for. I will be pulling the motor back out on Sat and will put the 2 motors side by side and look at the back of each crank.

Any other thoughts out there? Is there a trick to getting the converter on far enough?

:( :(
thanks

the pilot bearing is in the end of the crankshaft. on manual transmission cars, the input shaft of the tranny sticks inside the pilot bearing and it keeps the input shaft straight.
Does your truck motor still have its old flywheel on it? If it does and it was a manual, then you'll need to use your old flywheel.
you probably already know this, but just making sure

More truck motor detail
 

Wow, Thanks for the help.

I am using the flex plate from my old motor and it was an auto trans. I just cannot get the motor to bolt in the last 1/4 inch?

Once the dowls start going in, the motor starts to bind when being test turned.

Thanks

do you have the torque converter engaged properly on the tranny?

converter
 

I thought I had the converter set in properly and even took it out, checked the seal and put it back in. But now I am questioning that. It is either that or something is wrong with the back of the flex plate or crank.

Thanks

Sounds like a pilot bearing. Don't force it, or you'll never get the pilot bearing out. What year is the truck engine?

truck motor info
 

The truck motor is a 9/95 engine and all I know is it was from a truck? What kind, I do not know. It is low mileage and still has factory plugs it it. I have an auto trans and have used the flex plate from the old engine/auto trans setup.

So far everything about this truck block/engine has been identical to my original 89. This truck engine had a truck lower and truck upper intake, injecters, etc. that I will not be using in my car and that was the only items not the same.

NOTE: The truck intake lower looks like it could flow some good numbers.

Thanks

Okay, first of all, let's clarify something. Manual transmissions require a flywheel, and automatic transmissions require a flexplate. The two are not interchangable. That being said, if you are using the flexplate from the truck engine, then the truck engine had to have been paired with an automatic transmission. Thus, there is no pilot bearing to worry about. You probably don't have the torque convertor seated all the way. Try slowly rotating the crank center bolt from the front while someone else is trying to bring the engine and tranny together. If this fails, raise the back of the vehicle off the ground, put it in gear and have someone turn the back wheels while trying to bolt the engine and tranny together. This should allow the TC to align correctly.

Take care,
-Chris

5.0 Truck motor in car
 

Thanks for clearing up the flex plate vs. fly wheel info.

I am using my flex plate from my org motor and thank you all for your thoughts and help.

I will be trying to figure things out in about 14hrs.

I am just happy to be getting such a fresh 5.0 long block to use. I have been racing this car for 8 years now and it also has 135K on it.

In another thread I will ask about future build up items to go with the E303 cam in this truck motor. (heads, intake, etc.)

Thanks again
Robert
89 GT-conv. 14.20@98mph

Okay, in that case, it could be a pilot bearing. Unfortunately, either the engine or the tranny will have to be removed to find out. When asking advice on the new engine, don't forget to mention that it's a '95 truck engine. The reason this is important is that the truck 5.0's didn't go roller until 1992, and most people associate truck 5.0's with being non roller engines.

Take care,
-Chris

96 truck engine into 88 GT-conv.
 

:D The engine and trans has now gone together all the way, as it should. The convertor was not lined up and in all the way, I guess. This time the trans to engine bolts all went in by hand, the dowls slid right in. No prying, etc. :p

Races this Friday - Thanks for all your help.

Next month, maybe an aftermarket intake change (need to buy) and check on 1/4 times.

I also want to go with aftermarket heads sometime this year. (also need to buy)

Aloha, Robert

Cool.

Take care,
-Chris

great to hear,

let us know how you do at the track. Just dont blow the motor and have to do it again :D