Today we are discussing what types of tools you will need to do the Explorer engine conversion, some of the common sizes, and some suggestions for improved experience.
I want to say right off the top, I am assuming if you are interested at all in cars (which since you are reading this you must be) you probably have the essentials of different sockets and ratchets. I will still cover this, but those are definite must haves.
Lets start with the most common tools everyone should already have.
- 3/8" ratchet - this is going to be needed to use most of the sockets you will use
- 3/8" drive sockets - Since the mustang uses a combination of metric and american sizes, you will want both sets. You will need both deep well and shallow well.
- 1/4" drive ratchet - This is for the small bolts. This will typically involve your radiator, hood, and some electrical connections.
- 1/4" drive sockets - Same as with the other sockets both metric and american are needed. Although I don't recall a specific need for a deep well 1/4" drive socket, it is always a good thing to have around.
- 1/2" drive ratchet - This is for the bigger items.
- 1/2" drive sockets - Same here with the metric and American sockets. I only used shallow well sockets.
- Extensions - You will want a variety of all 3 types of drives and extensions. Make sure you have really short and really long extensions. There will also be a time for the medium length as well.
- 1/2" to 3/8" drive adapter. This allows for your 3/8" drive sockets to be used with the 1/2" drive ratchet. This is a necessity when using a torque wrench.
- 3/8" to 1/2" drive adapter. Yup, sometimes you need to go the other direction too. This is more of a nice to have.
- Wrench set - You will want a set that goes really small to really big. I think the largest that I used was 1 1/4" and the smallest was a 6 mm. If you didn't pick up on this already, yes you will need both metric and American.
- Pliars - You will want a set of channel style pliars, regular pliars, needle nose, and locking (vise grip) style. You can typically pick these up in a set of everything but the vise grip. Those have to be purchased seperate.
- Screwdrivers - Typically you will only use a regular screw driver. It is best to buy a good set of these as the cheap sets will tend to strip out or break. Make sure there are both regular and phillips head screwdrivers in your tool box.
- Foot pounds torque wrench - If you think you don't need this, be prepared to fix leaks and have stuff break.
- Inch pounds torque wrench - same as previous. Sometimes the foot pounds are too many
- Fuel line seperator - this will allow you to seperate the fuel line from the fuel rail. The engine isn't coming out without this line seperated.
- torx sockets - This is needed to get the engine plaque off. There are other uses for these as well in other aspects of your car.
- Distributor wrench - You will need this to remove and install your distributor. It will also be used when timing your engine.
- Timing Light - This is used to put your engine in proper time to fire the cylinders.
- Rubber Mallet - There are times you need to hit something and not damage the metal
- Allen Wrenches - you will need these for a couple small applications.
- Drill - used for a couple different things. The main being the priming of the oil pump.
- Drill Bits - used when preparing the intake adapter.
- Valve Spring Compressor - used to remove old valve springs.
- Clothes Line - It costs $1.50 at Wal-mart. I will explain it's use later.
- Harmonic Balancer Puller - This can be rented/loaned from Autozone.
- Reverse Torx Sockets - used to pull the power steering pump off.
- Oil Filter wrench - takes off the old oil filter.
- Oil Drain pan - to catch your old oil from your engine
- Coolant Drain pan - to catch the old coolant from your engine. I recommend a seperate one of these in the event you need to/can reuse your old coolant.
- Line wrenches - I believe all the lines I dealt with were american sizes. although you could use an open ended wrench, it tends to strip out the transmission lines. If you have a manual trans, you won't have to worry about it.
- Power Steering Pump Pulley Puller - this can be rented/loaned from Autozone
- Oil pump priming tool - this can be rented/loaned from Autozone
- Engine Manual - A hanes manual about the mustang will work as well. You need this for the torque settings.
- Treble light/work light - get a florescent or LED version of this. if you use incandesent bulbs, they will break/burn out if you drop them. Florescent and LED are more durable and will save frustration.
- Engine Hoist - You can rent one of these. They can be pretty expensive if you haven't purchased one already. If you plan on doing engine work in the future, you are probably best served by buying one.
- Engine Stand - This will be used to work on the engine. I think this can be rented as well.
- Rolling Floor Jack - you need to raise the car up to get under it.
- Jack stands - I recommend having 4 of these. You are crazy if you get under a car without the jack stands protecting you.
- Razor Blades - these are used to clean up the old gasket material.
- ratcheting wrenches - Although you can get your task done with a regular wrench set, a set of ratcheting wrenches will come in very handy when unbolting the transmission.
- tap and die set - there are some bolt holes that need to have their threads cleaned up. Not a necessity, but it helps in the reassembly process.
- Razor Blade Knife - There are times when the hoses just won't come off and you have to cut them.
- Wire stripper - Sometimes a wire will break. This will probably happen on a ground wire.
- Wire crimper - see wire stripper.
If you are starting out with no tools, this is going to be a very expensive project. Proably one you are going to want to put on hold until you have most of the tools purchased. But you could always go out and buy them all and go to town. I don't have that kind of disposable income, but there are some of us that do. Whatever your situation is, good luck.
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