'99 2.5 5 speed stalling

[tomw]

I would try getting a mechanical oil pressure gauge, plumbing it into place, and watching the oil pressure as the engine is started, run to full operating temp, and shut down. A loose bottom end will take longer to develop pressure, have initial cold pressure lower than a tight engine, and will not keep pressure at idle when hot, and will drop off to zero quickly when the engine is stopped. IOW, if it is slow to rise, not high hot, and drops quickly, you may have a bit of excess clearance.
Either get a used head that you can inspect all you want, or have yours repaired. From quite a while ago, getting a reman from a local shop was less than having one repaired.
There should be a good one out there in the pick-and-pull lots for little moolah. Just need a few gaskets... I'd go used, and check each valve for seat condition. You can use levers to open the valve w/o disassembly.
tom

 

[elementaltoad]

I found a 2000 Ford Explorer with a 5.0 for 400 if I buy the whole vehicle. Bonus for me as it sounds like that is the easiest way to do the swap.

The gear head in me has to go that route. If I'm lucky, I'll start a build thread this weekend.