01' F-150 4.6L What other motors match?

[Jolly Roger]

I recently purchased a 01' F-150 with 133k. 8th diget W for Romeo. Long story short I spun a rod bearing on the way home. Or more like the guy put enough motor honey in it to make go away. I pulled the pan and miced the crank and it was .06 to .100 under. Looks like i picked a bad year because its very hard to find a replacement from a bone yard locally with decent mileage. To keep this project under 2K. I ether need to find a motor or rebuild the short block my self. Is there a chart or book that tells you what is compatible by year or vin number? Some bone yards say a different year with your oil pan or bolt ons will be fine. Depending on the year they say. The local LKQ said only that year will work. Or is it possible to do a short block rebuild for 2K? I will need a crank and rods. At least i know what i have going back in. Thanks for your time.

 

[bf750]

5.4

 

[adsm08]

Almost any year should work, with swapping the correct peripherals. Truck engines are best because the cars and vans have different exhaust manifolds, oil pans, pickup tubes, and valve covers. Almost 3 years ago a guy brought his own engine into the shop I was working at, from a van, to have put in his F-150.

I still think about hunting his ass down and killing him over that experience. I think he did it on purpose because he thought he needed a plug and coil then I told him his engine had dropped a valve.

Also watch out for the very early ones. I think the 4.6 changed bell patterns at some point.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They got better heads in '99 so watch for that if you don't want to lose some power.

I don't know how much is different on the outside between a Windsor and a Romeo, most 4.6's are Romeos. I things around the cams and whatnot are different but...

 

[Jolly Roger]

Thanks guys. Tell me more about that van motor? One just came available with 54k for $850. I'm waiting on a reply for the W.

 

[Jolly Roger]

I'm ready to punt. Can a crank be swapped underneath the the vehicle with out the motor being pulled? Or if the trans has to pulled back some? Granted if the rod checks out ok.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I doubt it.

Probably one of things you will fight it so much if you don't do it it would have been easier to just pull the engine to start with.

 

[adsm08]

The trans has to be completely removed, as does the front cover and timing sets. Keep in mind the 4.6 is an interference engine.

Other than that stuff, yeah, it is theoretically possible. But like so many other things that I term "theoretically possible" I would also put that idea in the category of "practically stupid".

And that's not "practically" as in almost, that's "practically" as in if you try this in practice.

 

[Jolly Roger]

00' Donor?

I got a 00' donor. Shady at best. After i cleaned the fish out of the bed from last seasons ice. I could breath. Everything looks tight. Do I need to prop the cab? Pull the intake? Pull the front clip? I have a month of Sundays to make it happen before middle school football starts. Any short cuts or help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[adsm08]

It you can get the cab off completely that is the fastest. Otherwise pull the intake, stretch a chain through the valley good and tight, and rip her out.

Engine lift plate works too.