Ford 5.0 in a 1978 Jeep CJ-7

ET48 · 07-04-2008, 11:04 PM

My dad and I are putting a Ford 5.0 liter engine in his 1978 CJ-7 and was wondering if anyone out there had any suggestions on how to wire in the computer and harness with the jeep harness? The engine is out of a 1988 Ford Cougar. We kept all the harnesses that went to the engine including the computer.

Also I need some tips on building motor mounts for the conversion. I do not feel like paying 300 dollars for mounts from Advanced Adapters. Maybe someone out there has some sketches or designs that I could look at? Maybe some pics at least?

I would appreciate any help on this subject. Thanks.

**243** · 07-04-2008, 11:16 PM

This is a good thread with a lot of information http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45309

ET48 · 07-12-2008, 08:30 AM

They didn't talk much about using the stock tranny from the jeep in the swaps. I am planning on using the T-150 3 speed from the jeep. That is alot of info to look through and most of it was about engine selection. If anyone else has more info on this subject or has done this before in a CJ-7, PLEASE POST!!!!

Thanks everyone!

JrTjK · 07-12-2008, 08:34 AM

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/engine_mounts/mmx-nf1.htm

Try reading around there...they are extremely knowledgeable and the sight contains good info on many different swaps.

84MSRB · 07-12-2008, 02:08 PM

Definitely read the Novak stuff- and there is some stuff on pirate that will help. Just read- alot.
Mine's an 84, so it got a late 80's F150 bell, Ford clutch, GM disc- shaft size and spline count.
MORE motor mounts were under 200, but when bolted in the stock location move the tranny forward an inch causing driveshafts to not fit.
The wiring got done by a pro. Way too much for a dummy like me.

ReconRabbit · 07-12-2008, 03:22 PM

On my 302 I just had to make a spacer to fit between the bellhousing and tranny for proper input shaft legnth. I am running a Ford 10.5" HD clutch and a Ford flywheel. Mounts I bought from Advanced adapters so I'm no help there. I also have a carb so the wiring thing is past me. I would do some searching and see if someone makes a stand alone or conversion harness for that motor. It would make your life a lot simpler.

84MSRB · 07-12-2008, 03:58 PM

What did you do for motor mounts though?
With the MORE ones, bolt up was simple- but it moved forward.
I probably ground off 1/16-1/8 from the shaft.
I can't remember where I found the info for all the clutch parts- might have been pirate, but novak does ave a ton of info.
Like I said- I got it all to fit real nice, first time on anything of this size.
I have heard the painless harnesses are anything but- compare that cost against a trusted mechanic wiring up the thing.
Just do some looking and reading before you do anything.

ET48 · 07-13-2008, 01:49 PM

What did you do for engaging and disengaging the clutch? I have parts from a F-150 with a hydrauilic clutch that I plan to use. Also I might just buy one of those harnesses that you plug in and you are good to go. My 5.0 is from a 1988 Ford Cougar and I have the whole harness from that if I have to use it. I have a bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, so far. I plan to use the jeeps T-150 three speed tranny with the dana 20 transfer case. Yes I have heard you need to either cut the output shaft on the tranny or make a spacer to the bellhousing. I was maybe going to make my motor mounts but I want to get this thing running as soon as possible if you know what I mean...

If anyone has suggestions on where to buy and what to and what not to buy from thier experiences I would appreciate it. Also....What did you use for headers? I just also want to say that this is the best forum I have been on and I am glad to be a part of it!!! Thanks again everyone.

84MSRB · 07-13-2008, 03:33 PM

I could get some pics of my mounts- if you want to fab your own, or just read that monster thread on pirate like I do (just look at the pictures).

I am planning on using the stock jeep clutch linkage- no hydraulics. All I had to make was a bracket for the motor end of the bellcrank. Novak was working on one (?) for this swap, they have one for the SBC swap. Something that will bracket the edge of the motor/bellhousing, and serve as a platform for the bellcrank.
Here's mine-

ET48 · 07-13-2008, 04:16 PM

I read on the pirate thread that you have to move or change the power steering pump to be able to fit the engine in. Did you have to change this around or do anything with the belt layout?

Also, what did you get your motor out of?

What headers are you running and do they interfere with anything?

What are you running for a tranny?

Thanks.

84MSRB · 07-13-2008, 04:33 PM

Headers are shorty F series from Summit. No interference, but kinda close to the starter and Steering column.
Stock T-176 tranny.
I got the motor from someone who had it swapped into a ranger. It's got 3 decades worth of parts in it.
I took mine in to a friend who happens to be a mechanic, supposedly the local Ford guru, to be wired up. Next thing I know, he buys an 89 or 90 Crown Vic for 200 bucks, rapes the whole front end off the motor. Serp belt, all pulleys, PS pump, O sensors, and bracket. He said it was really simple- but he's a guru.

ET48 · 07-18-2008, 04:38 PM

I just got done with reading the entire 77 pages on the pirate thread. HOLY COW!!!!!

Good info, and I am ready to fab some engine mounts right now so back to the shop. Thanks.

HackFabrication · 07-18-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ET48

I just got done with reading the entire 77 pages on the pirate thread. HOLY COW!!!!!

Yup, there's a lot there. A bunch posted my me and 84MSRB when you get to the end of it.

Fab your own mounts, if you must, but the MORE mounts are pure bolt-ins. With some issues. They move the engine forward 1" and to the driver's side 3/4"-1". Which may or may not create problems with your skidplate/crossmember.

The 88 Cougar is a SD (Speed Density) vehicle (unless it's a California car). In 1989 FoMoCo went to MAF for all the 5.0L Mustangs (and I also believe the Cougar/T-Bird/Mark VII).

My 'project' has a 5.0L Ford Racing GT40 crate motor:

I'm using a RJM Universal harness and an A9L Mustang computer.

I recently got it running, and just today, managed to seal up a couple more leaks.

I'm also running a really sweet Ford Contour electric fan:

ET48 · 07-18-2008, 09:03 PM

I just have to say I feel like I am talking to a celebrity after reading all your posts. Nice job.

Yes the plan is to fab the motor mounts and leave the tranny where it is. Then if there is no problems, move to the wiring, clutch, and then put the rest together. For the clutch I have a slave cylinder from a 80's style ford truck. I have all the wiring out of the cougar from the engine to the computer.

I have a couple of questions to clarify and make sure I read right:

-I should be able to use the clutched fan from the 5.0 and the original jeep radiator?
-What is the easiest way to hook a pump up for fuel? I would like to get just an inline pump and not mess with the stock jeep tank.
-If I take the smog pump, and the air rails to the back of the heads off, does that change anything in the harness do you know? I pluged those ports on the head already.
-Also by removing the smog pump and the A/C compressor, I need a different belt setup. Can you tell me again what you did to move the steering pump up like what your pic shows? The pump is from where? Can you use the jeep pump?

I would appreciate your answers very much. I know you don't like to repeat things alot, but this would help me tremendously. Thanks man!!!!

xulcuz · 07-18-2008, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HackFabrication

Yup, there's a lot there. A bunch posted my me and 84MSRB when you get to the end of it.

Fab your own mounts, if you must, but the MORE mounts are pure bolt-ins. With some issues. They move the engine forward 1" and to the driver's side 3/4"-1". Which may or may not create problems with your skidplate/crossmember.

The 88 Cougar is a SD (Speed Density) vehicle (unless it's a California car). In 1989 FoMoCo went to MAF for all the 5.0L Mustangs (and I also believe the Cougar/T-Bird/Mark VII).

My 'project' has a 5.0L Ford Racing GT40 crate motor:

I'm using a RJM Universal harness and an A9L Mustang computer.

I recently got it running, and just today, managed to seal up a couple more leaks.

I'm also running a really sweet Ford Contour electric fan:

I have been looking at those pictures for like ten minutes and am still in awe from the motor, the jeep, and hwo freaking clean that garage is! Looks awsome and I can only imagine the power that motor will put down. Sorry to get off topic...