Where should I start

"Matthew Phillips" (flatsidewaysfl)
08/26/2014 at 00:05 • Filed to: None

Hello there, I was just granted Authorship and I guess I should introduce myself. I am Matthew_AP, and I have a story to tell .I'll start with linking the beginning of my Automotive Journey,

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and

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Well If you read those two, as of two weeks ago I sold Harla Rei to make room for a 1998 Ford Explorer. Another Hand me down from my parent's and I also learned to drive on it.

It's broken...

Since 2007 my parents have puttover 250,000 miles on this truck, resulting in an astonishing 327K, within two days my Oil Pump failed resulting in a need for either a new engine or a new truck... In a way I'm without a vehicle for the next few months as I save up some coin and pay off the Intake Manifold.

Well then My fellow Opponauts, I'm going to transcribe my journey, with the hope that when I save up enough, ($1300), I can either find a nice Jalopy to tool around in next semester at school, or just go on an Exploration.

These are my plans for the Explorer

1. Replace the 4.0 OHV V6

2. snorkel

3. Radiator

4.Driving lamps

5.Find some awesome Steelies

Thank you for reading and I hope we'll enjoy this adventure of a broke College student. BTW Josh I think you still have my Hubcap in your Garage.

DISCUSSION (16)

Kenaft - some new kid > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 00:16

I loved reading about Harla Rei, but I'm sad the car's gone :( Why did you sell the car off?

Matthew Phillips > Kenaft - some new kid
08/26/2014 at 00:18

The transmission was showing it's age, the Gas tank started to leak, and I Can't afford two vehicles. I took a risk with the Explorer and I believe it's a better investment.

I sold the Taurus to two Mechanics, they're gonna fix her up then resell her.

offroadkarter > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 00:21

If you're going to replace the OHV you might as well find a cheap 302 out of another 96-01 explorer. The OHV is a slow ass turd engine and the SOHC has its own issues.

Matthew Phillips > offroadkarter
08/26/2014 at 00:29

I'm trying to avoid unnecessary Harness and wiring work. I have some mechanic friends who are helping me with this when I get the new Engine, The less work the Better. I would love to do a potential Ecoboost Swap one day. But at this point, I just need a car. i'm not picky.

Kenaft - some new kid > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 00:30

That Taurus, from the two posts you made, had some charm. Good luck with the Explorer - sounds like it'll come in handy!

I'm in the same broke college student situation - but my car is luckily reliable and not too badly off. But it makes me slightly sad I don't have a beater... I feel like I would get a lot of knowledge and experience and fun memories about it.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 00:34

Welcome, and I may not be a college student, but, I'm broke and working on my first car.

Matthew Phillips > Kenaft - some new kid
08/26/2014 at 00:36

I miss her already. The first two generation Taurii were something, they were Fords attempt at shaking up the norm and trying to mimic European cars.

What we got was a FWD mini Crown Victoria with Independent Suspension and McPherson Struts. I still think the 2nd gen is the better looking of all the bulls and I'm going to buy another when I can afford two vehicles.

I agree on the beater part, I do a majority of what I can because I can't afford a mechanic.

Matthew Phillips > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
08/26/2014 at 00:41

Don't give up your Taurus, those First gens are future classics and the 3.0 Vulcan might not be much, but it's a great intro to DIY Mechanics.

We had that same 3.0 in our Aerostar minivan when I was a child and we put 383k on the engine before the Transmission blew. then My dad bought the Taurus off one of his co workers.

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 00:57

Ahem, Vulcan? The Sable has a Vulcan. Not so in the Taurus.

Im not poo pooing the Vulcan, its a great engine. The Sable only has 90k kilometers on it, so I have no idea about longevity, but we've never had to anything to it other than routine maintenance.

Matthew Phillips > TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts
08/26/2014 at 01:04

The Taurus (mine did) had a Vulcan it ,was the only 3.0 that was offered for the Midsized sedans aside from the Yamaha SHO 3.0-3.8

TheVancen- In Pursuit of a Greater Payday and Car Parts > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 01:14

the first gen Taurus could be had with a 3l Vulcan, a 3.8l Essex, ( it was a turd, had a habit of eati g head gaskets), and the 3l Yamaha. I think there was a 2.5 l I4 as well, but I'm not sure.

I was doing g a lot of research into these cars power train because I was planning on yanking the engine out of my Taurus for a RWD conversion in a different car.

offroadkarter > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 01:57

a 302 swap is a lot more straight forward than an ecoboost swap, especially if you had a donor truck.

Matthew Phillips > offroadkarter
08/26/2014 at 10:52

If i did the 302 swap, would the current transmission fit to it ?

Matthew Phillips > offroadkarter
08/26/2014 at 11:02

Yea, the 5.0 swap is still too much for me right now. I'll consider it in the future, but I don't need the extra power. 197 Hp is more than enough to get this thing down the road.

Joshua "Dr. Science" Gilbert > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 14:27

Come over and get it. And tag me when you want me to read something lol

offroadkarter > Matthew Phillips
08/26/2014 at 15:45

you'd need a 4R70W