So it begins .....

With that, I vote 302, possibly 351.

So then what about the Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0L, carbed with a C4?

Decent heads, large support, cheap, and an easy enough swap.

Mopar 440 has the deep end of the pan up front. (over the crossbar)

I'd probably swap in a new head gasket first to just see if you like the car. Then, if you still want to swap in a V8, John's plan sounds like the easy(ist) button.

Back when I wanted to run waste vegetable oil, these cars were on my radar. In my opinion, they're not worth the $2k-$3K cited earlier in the thread.

I did, however, always think the engine would be fun to put in a little 4x4 (Toyota, Samurai, etc).

You could try a cheap fix on the engine (investigation will hopefully let you know if that's feasible) and flip it or sell the engine to someone. I don't think that will be a money making proposition, however.

Would it be fun to drive as a V8 sleeper? If so, I'd just get right to it.

The Mopar 440 is sold, a friend has a 1987 Mustang 5.0 and a carb and manifold to bolt on.

The diseasal brought home $30 from the scrapper, will power wash the engine compartment when it stops snowing.

Well...I have recent/current experience with Fuel Injected mustang motors with carburetors on top. The only hiccup I hit was the lack of provision for a mechanical fuel pump on my '93 engine. I opted for an electric pump. I'd rather have the mechanical (requires a different timing cover and possibly an eccentric IIRC) fuel pump, but the electric works ok.

Hopefully the shorty stock mustang headers will work with your chassis. That would make things easy-ish.

The Benz has an electric fuel pump in the tank. I think I have to swap out the gas filler hole, aren't diesels & gs cars different diameter?

In reply to 914Driver:

Probably. IIRC diesel necks are smaller than gas, because gasoline will kill a diesel engine, but diesel will only gunk up a gas one. So the diesel fill neck is smaller to prevent you from accidentally filling it with gas.

Actually bigger on a diesel to prevent mouth breathing morons from filling up gas cars with diesel.

Dusterbd13 wrote: Actually bigger on a diesel to prevent mouth breathing morons from filling up gas cars with diesel.

Second that. Diesel is bigger.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

That's what I get for posting first thing in the AM.

That'll buff right out.