[/b] 1986 Ford Aerostar [/b]
I purchased the van in 1989 with a V-6, 5 speed in it. I installed the first 5.0L EFI, automatic A-OD from a 1987 Mercury Grand-Marque in 1995. The van worked so well from the first time it was started, that three weeks after finishing the build, I took it on vacation (about 600 miles round trip). The van has always been dependable, even with the V-6, 5-speed it came from the factory with.

In the winter of 2001, I purchased a 1990 HO-5.0L and rebuilt it. The heads were shaved (just a cleanup) and given a 3-angle valve job. The block was decked to make sure the deck was square and flat. The engine has forged TRW aluminum pistons, stock HO roller cam, true roller-double row timing chain, Ford motorsport 1.72 ratio roller rockers (same as a Cobra) that open the valves 30 thousandths over stock (stock 1.6 stamped steel), 24 lb. injectors, and a 75 mm Pro-M mass air unit with a K&N air cleaner . The oil filter has been relocated under the radiator. The headers are factory Mustang and the exhaust system is custom-made true duals with an X-pipe in front of the turbo mufflers. It also has flanges using header gaskets to bolt the system together in four places. There are no clamps holding it together. The exhaust sounds great!!! At this time a new radiator, heater core, and motor mounts were installed.

The transmission is a 1989 A-OD, rebuilt shortly before I purchased it in 2002. A shift improver kit was added. It has a Lincoln Towncar tail-shaft for the added length. With that, a stock aluminum Aerostar drive shaft could be used. The stock cross member was utilized, however, I turned it around. The holes were already in the cross member and a new standard mount was used. There is a large transmission oil cooler in front of the A/C condenser.

The rear axle is an 8.8 from a low mileage Aerostar cargo van.

The van sits about an inch and a half lower than stock. I couldnā€™t find lowering springs so this was done by removing one ring on the front springs and two + rings from a set of extended length Aerostar rear springs. A set of Performance Suspension Technology (PST) sway-bars were added, 1 Ā¼ inch front and a 1 inch rear. The front lower control arms have been professionally shortened 3/8 of an inch to allow the larger wheels and tires to fit under the wheel wells properly, without rubbing, and are now stronger than stock. There was plenty of adjustment for the upper control arms to be moved this distance. Both upper and lower control arms received new bushings. The rear center control arm has a urethane bushing in the front to control torque. The van rides firmer than stock and handles great!!! The wheels are silver PR aluminum 6 spoke. Front 15x7 with P215/60R15ā€™s. Rear 16x8 with P235/55 R16ā€™s. The stance is right on!!!

I built a custom trailer hitch for the van. It was built and installed before the bumper was cut. This was so the bumper could be switched out for one without a cutout (completely hiding the hitch). Itā€™s wired for a camper or a utility trailer. There is also a trailer brake control between the driver seat and the console. The second bumper was never purchased because the cutout for the hitch is finished off so nice it looks as if it could be factory.

The front brakes have been upgraded with 1990 all wheel drive calipers and pads. The rotors and pads were the best quality I could find. The new calipers were smoothed and painted red with industrial urethane. The rear brakes are stock, but had new wheel cylinders and spring kits installed in 2002.

The interior is out of a low mileage 1993 XLT and was installed complete with the rear A/C and heat. The rear seats lay down into a bed. The front captain chairs are power lumbar and recline. The visors have mirrors and lights. The steering column is a tilt with an aftermarket wheel. The stereo is a Sony Explod, completely remote control. There are two switches between the driver seat and the console in front of the trailer brake control. One of these switches is to shut the fuel pump off; a great anti-theft device. The other controls the power ports (cigarette lighters); one under the rear of the driver seat, and one behind the rear seat on the left side panel.

I have now sold the van to help finance the restoration of my first car that I've owned for over 30 years. A 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury. I hope the new owner enjoys the van as much as I have. I'm putting something together for "youtube" that will show some of the build and finished photos. Just type in "V8 Aerostar" and there it is.

 

i would like to see some pictures... [8D]

 

Go to yuotube and type in V8 Aerostar and you'll hear it and see it shifting from first to second gear.