[94tbird46]

A few months ago i blew the motor on my 4.6 bird. its been sitting since i havent know what to do with it, but recently i been wanting to drive it more and more. So my question is how hard would it be to put a 5.0 motor and tranny out of a mustang in my car(reason being i know dealers that have access to these out of wrecked ones).
any help is appreciated,
John

 

[CougarXR7Man]

I think the first thing you need to do is get a K member from a 5.0 bird and start from there

 

[jk69cat]

for the hassle involved get a explorer 4.6 and be done, now i am not saying a 5.0 cannot be done, but for $ for $ your better off staying with a 4.6

 

[SloMo228]

I think the first thing you need to do is get a K member from a 5.0 bird and start from there

The K-member for a 4.6 Thunderbird is the same as the K-member from a 5.0 Thunderbird. The only difference (besides the engine, of course) is the upper motor mount. You'll need one from a 5.0 MN12.

EDIT: The transmission from a Mustang wouldn't work very well in your Thunderbird (I assume you're talking about the T-5 manual box) since it's too short. The M5R2 5-speed used in the SC will work fine, it's definitely the right length, and the parts you need to fit it in your Thunderbird are fairly easy to come by. If you were thinking of the AOD, then yes, that will work.

 

[The Great Obucina]

just do an 02 explorer 4.6L swap....do a search, everything you will ever need to know is available.

 

[94tbird46]

Will the explorer motor bolt right up to my tranny? Any other hassles involed? How much does an explorer motor go for?

 

[guitar maestro]

only 'hassles' are that you need to get the 96/97 fuel lines/rails, and some EGR stuff, and some cruise control stuff, since this stuff was changed in the 96+ model year for the 4.6 SOHC engine........the xplorer motor will bolt right up to your transmission

 

[The Great Obucina]

its damn near a direct swap.

www.greenleafauto.com and www.car-part.com

both have directories for yards with 02-04 Explorer motors.