I'm very new to the motor swap world and I'm still a few months away from a point that I can even start ordering the parts. I just want to get an idea of what I'm in for and the only aspect that I can't find info on is setting up the fuel system and what engine to get. I plan to do a ford 5.0 junkyard pull with a carburetor. So what vehicle should I keep my eye out for for the source motor that already have decent heads and hopefully cam. As for the fuel system. Can I use the stock tank or will I need a fuel cell and and and what will I need as for the fuel pump and whether to go with a return or return less system.
Thank you in advance.

 

So much reading you should do. Jason, aka MRM331 and msc302 (admin this site) has posted considerable info on Ford swaps. I'd suggest clicking on his name and checking out his as well as other builds at the top of this section.

To help prime the pump....the below is by Jason and posted on the other forum.
Also, yes you can use the stock tank and pump and fuel lines, if a carb is used a pressure regulator is required reducing pressure to the carb to 4lbs or so. Best is a regulator with a return line. Good Reading!

There are several benefits to using an Explorer motor as opposed to a Mustang motor.

1. Explorer motors are less likely to have been abused. Most Mustang engines are pretty beat and rarely make a good donor engine unless rebuilt.

2. Explorer motors have a much nicer head and intake set (GT40) that many Mustang owners have already swapped onto their Mustangs. Assuming you can swap a Mustang or aftermarket cam into the engine without removing the intake (possible with the right tools) you can essentially get a 1993 Mustang Cobra engine that you can drop in without rebuilding first.

3. If you can handle the AC issue the Explorer motor has a shorter set of accessories that would allow you to mount the kit fans as pullers.

To use it you are going to need:
-*Mustang oil pan (a new one should be sent to MM anyhow, most old ones are toast at this point.
-*Mustang oil pump (should always be replaced anyhow)
-Mustang oil pickup tube
-Mustang Bell housing
-*Mustang Flywheel, clutch, throwout bearing
-Mustang clutch fork
-^Mustang front accessories and chain cover IF you are not using the shorter Explorer ones
-^Mustang engine management and harnesses unless you were going with a MegaSquirt or carb
-T5 trans
-*Reman Mustang Distributor w/ TFI module

*=Should be replaced during a build anyhow even if you sued a Mustang
^=May or may not be needed depending on how you plan on finishing the build

If you go with the Explorer motor (and keep the short front accessories) the only things you would have to find that you would not have had to if you had a Mustang to pull from would really be engine management and a bellhousing/fork/trans. To make it a true "93 Cobra clone" engine you'd need to find a Mustang cam and a set of 1.72 Crane rockers. Stock Mustang cams can be found for under $50 on eBay. I went with this combination in my white car (with stock 1.6 stamped rockers) and it put down 240 to the rear wheels with a stock a9l ecu and made 25 mpg's all on 87 octane. I could have put the entire engine together for under $500 (maybe I did ).

Hope that helps,
-Jason
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Ford V8 Miata Conversions #1, 2, and 3 done, enjoyed and SOLD. Conversion #4 DONE and daily driving...Could #5 be in the works?

 

What he ^ sail +1! Read read read! I would start with the Ford build threads listed here and read every word of them! https://www.v8miata.net/v8-miata-con...esources-2349/

I'm going to flip this over to Ford build section where it will get a lot more looks than it will here.