McLaren engine ID and specs

AusFordParts · Post by **AusFordParts** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:16 am

G'Day all,

Im new to the late model stuff & especially the 5.0 motors. Thank you Sandy for welcoming me to the forum.

Im guessing this is a tired subject but hope you can all set me straight.
I have a side project 1965 Galaxie fastback I'm updating the tired old 6cyl with a recently purchased 5.0 HO & AOD. I picked it up off of a very good mate & the guy he bought it off claims it was out of a McLaren Mustang. Im just planing on headers, exhaust, KN air pod some rear end gears maybe a very mild stall.
I know you all might be upset about the McLaren motor but I am assured the car was from Florida & the dreaded tin worm had had its fill to the point the car was not repairable.
I would like to know if there is any way to tell either by vin# or looking at the engine trans to tell if its a McLaren & if there is any performance advantage over the regular HO. I've read the McLaren had the B-303 cam but no one seems to have specs on the RPM range of the B-303 5.0 HO

I hope someone can set me straight

Thanks for your time

cheers
Lawrence

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:49 am

Lawrence, the B-303 Cam was fitted to the 1984-1986 Mercury Capri ascMcLaren "bubble-back" coupes. As far as I know, or as far as ascMcLaren execs would tell me, those were the only cars that received such. However, I have a handfull of people on my personal registry who own 1984-1986 Mercury Capri ascMcLaren 2-Seat Convertibles who state that while doping engine work they noticed that that their came with the B-303 ~ so, that's what I know.
If you give your doner car's last 6 digits of its VIN I can tell you what car your motor came out of. You can make it alot easier on my if you know the car's YEAR! If so, let me know it. If youdo not want to post it you can send me a private e-mail PM.

Sandy

Post by **negusm** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 3:27 am

On the top of the block on the flat metal pad at the rear end of the motor, the last 8 digits of the vin are stamped I think. The first 2 will have the year and plant code, and the rest will be the vin for the motor.

They can be stamped so lightly as to be very nearly impossible to read.

Beyond the possible B303, the engine will be bone stock.

-Mike

AusFordParts · Post by **AusFordParts** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:58 am

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the help. I'll have to check the vin on the engine for you but the donor car was a 1988 Mustang apparently

cheers
Lawrence

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:11 am

You are saying the engine is from a 1988 Mustang? If so, definately no B-303.

AusFordParts · Post by **AusFordParts** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 7:16 pm

Yea from a 1988 Stang supposedly, oh well its still a HO & thats nothing to sneeze at.
I will get the vin next couple of days, it is missing the harness from firewall to computer & computer. Does this need to be from another HO car or can I use any computer from any 5.0 speed density car. Any years I need to look for?
BTW I picked up the motor/trans with alloy covers & 80k on it for $300

cheers
Lawrence

86capri62 · Post by **86capri62** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:29 pm

I think painless is selling a wiring harness for your purpose.

86capri62 · Post by **86capri62** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:32 pm

Here it is :
http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_n ... 8475.0.0.0

AusFordParts · Post by **AusFordParts** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:21 am

Thanks, I was keen on using some factory stuff to keep costs down. Its a budget build for a fair weather daily driver so I dont have to drive the truck all the time. I have an Aussie Ford Falcon that is my main "toy"

cheers
Lawrence

The "Wild Plum" car is mine, the Mad Max car is the mate I bought the HO from. The Yellow Pro Street car is another project
http://community.webshots.com/user/CoupeHardtops

AusFordParts · Post by **AusFordParts** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:25 am

Hey Guys,

vin is JY758164 looks like a Mercury number from what I know but the motor & trans match

cheers
Lawrence

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:26 am

I like the Plum car.

Post by **negusm** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:29 am

AusFordParts wrote:Hey Guys,

vin is JY758164 looks like a Mercury number from what I know but the motor & trans match

cheers
Lawrence

J = 1988 (G=86, H=87, I=<skipped>, J=1988).

Yeah, it looks like maybe a mercury number. Mustang CUN's started with 1 and that's a 7 unnless you read it wrong.

Get some castingnumbers off the block if you can. They are near the starter area I think.

Good chance this is not a Mustang engine. Could be from a Lincln or something else.

-Mike

AusFordParts · Post by **AusFordParts** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 5:18 am

Thanks Sandy,

The Plum is a very rare factory colour.

So the motor could be out of an LSC being that its a HO?
Well it would have been a talking point that it was a McLaren motor but all I was really looking for to start was an 88 HO air density car

I appreciate all your help guys

cheers
Lawrence

Post by **negusm** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 1:01 pm

How do you know it's an HO motor?

Post by **negusm** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:03 pm

Sandy can you use the last 6 digits of the vin he posted and instead of a"7" use a "1" in the first position to see if you have any 88s with that CUN?

-Mike