Hey I just got a new engine for my 97 F150. The original engine is a 4.2 but Im replacing it with a 00' 4.2. My question is, is there anything I need to modify or take off my original 4.2 and put on the newer one to make it work, or is the 2000' 4.2 gonna be aplug and play swap? I plan on doing this swap Saturday and Sunday. Thanks

 

So no one here has put a 99-03 4.2 in their 97-98 F150? Any ideas?

 

I would think it would be plug and play, doubt you'd have to change computers or anything like that like you would swapping from a v6 to a v8

 

if anyone has this answer, i too would be greatfull..... i may have the opportunity to get a good running 4.6 (03) from a crown vic and it might be easier to swap the whole engine instead of just the heads. i know ill need intake and exhaust manifolds and probably a few other things to do the swap, but other than that should it be plug and play going into a 97 with an 03 motor?

 

From what I've read when people do these swaps, I would make sure you have everything from the engine of the donor vehicle. Especially the wiring harness and PCM.

 

Actually, you would want to use your old harness and parts if a little different.

Going the other route is asking for trouble. But, engine wise, the 4.2 didn't change until 2001 and that was just a tune change.

You want to stay away from PATS changes and minor electronics changes along with programing if you can.

The engines are identical, you might have to use SOME parts from the 97 tho, - might not. I can't think of anything that's different with the hardware off hand. Should be an easy swap.

I would use the newer harness ONLY if it were the same as the old.