I have a Red 1997 F-150. Based on VIN decoding my truck is exactly what it should be: 3 door extended cab with the long bed. 5.4L Triton motor.
It got funky when I had to take it apart to change the intake manifold gaskets. I went out to order gaskets, told the guy everything I told you, and added that it was built in January 1997. When he pulled up a picture of the manifold, it was the wrong one. I told him that it was a cast intake, not carbon fiber, and that it was one piece, there was no upper and lower portions. Three other parts places were like this.
So, I pulled out my 1997-2003 F150 book. All hell broke loose when I found out the engine is a Lightning! (Which explains why it's been so hard to get the right parts all these years!) The truck is completly unmarked. No Lightning marks, not even a sticker for the 4x4. All it has is F-150 XLT on the front sides.
I had to go to a knowledgable specialty distributor to order the parts.
So, does anyone have any idea what's up with this?? Could it be a special order or special edition? It shows no signs of ever being painted, and the motor definately looks original. I can't seem to find any information that matches my baby correctly online.
And what's with the big ugly plastic resonator thing on the bottom of the manifold? If that's even what it is.
Thanks for any and all help!!!

 

It is not the original engine. If you bought this truck used, it sounds like the old owner swapped in a lightning engine because the second gen lightnings were not made until 1999.

 

lets see a picture of this engine bay

 

x2. this doesnt sound right...

 

its probably a lightning engine swap like klitch has done on his truck. 97 scab 4x4 with lightning motor

 

Here's the link to my Photobucket:

http://s949.photobucket.com/albums/a...olelottarosie/



I thought about a motor swap, but there is no sign of spliced wires or damaged bolts. Why buy a truck in 1997, then put a 1999 motor in it, then get rid of it in 2001 (when we bought it)? The VIN also calls it a Flareside... it's too weird.

 

It is a non-PI engine, so 98' or earlier. Do your own investigating and forget what the droids behind the counter tell you.

 

I remember where it is exactly but there should be a VIN plate on the block too. See if it matches the one on the truck and if not you know you have a motor swap of some kind. They put the VIN in about 6 different places on modern vehicles

 

that is most certainly not a lightning motor. I even went to the dealer to get the intake gaskets for my lincoln and the parts guy brought out the gaskets, said both were the same. Looked at them and said that one is different because of the thermostat housing and where the collant flows through there. He insisted I was wrong and that the "book" was right he looked it up and the only model that the right gasket on the drivers side is only listed under the lightning (for 5.4l anyway). Then I told the guy sell me that gasket and I wont be back here returning it in a couple weeks when it doesn't work. they are xxxxx-A xxxxxx-B. They list xxxxx-A for both sides on the N/A models and only xxxxx-B on the one side for lightning.

 

like the others have already stated it may be a 5.4 but it's for sure NOT A LIGHTNING MOTOR...

 

and your intake is 3 pieces...

 

You have a 4.6L Dont mean to knock ya, but you need to look up your stuff.

 

how can you tell?



I couldn't make out the casting numbers in this pic...

 

Looked at my 4.6, looked at my 5.4. Looks like a 4.6 not a 5.4

 

its a non pi 5.4L