A buddy of mine has a Franklin Ford F-150 it was built by a guy who unfortunately is no longer with us. so unless he have a Ouija board he can't exactly get any answers LOL. but anyway he doesn't know a whole lot about this truck and the engine doesn't have any clear way of telling what it exactly it is. it does have coil packs on the front of the cam covers I've heard that's a 4.6 thing but also heard that some 5.4 have them. so is there any clear indication on what this engine could be????

(1996-ish) Ford F 150 supercab rwd

 

You have to offer more than ask for a guess.
We don't and you don't know what engine may have been swapped in.
From 97 on all 5.4L motors had coil over plug ignition.
from 97 to 2000 all 4,6L had coils and plug wires.
From 2001 both motors have coil over plug ignition.
There were 4 different motor variations besides.
Two 4.6 and one 5.4 plus a 4.2 V6.
It is possible the ignition system was changed on a 5.4 when a swap was done.
Bottom line is a photo of the valve covers may help as a start.
Count the number of valve cover mounting bolts.
Down on the lower pan area of the Romeo engine there are main cap pre-tension bolts out the side of the block.
You see why you don't have enough info to ID?
Then there is motor Id numbers to check yet.
Good luck.

 

Intake manifold is a good indication as well

Most 5.4 have plastic intake (except 1999)
P.I. 4.6 have aluminum intake manifold

 

1996 was the last year of the old body style - I don't think you even know what year this truck is!

If it's been built or had an engine swap and it *IS* a 97 or newer with a Triton OHC V8, it could be either a 4.6 or 5.4. 5.4 swaps in 2000 and earlier went a lot easier using the 4.6 coil packs.

What is the 8th character in the VIN? That will tell you what it came with.

 

It is a 1996 according to the VIN here are the pictures of the valve cover maybe we can get this thing identified

 

what is a franklin f150?
that picture doesn't tell much
go here https://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleRegSelector.do enter vin and look at specs
I'd say from your poor picture you've got a bone stock (under hood anyway) 1997 f150
most likley with 4.6l v8

BTW 1997 model year started in september 1996 possibly earlier.

 

Would you please post the VIN?

 

Early 1997 MY didn't even have 5.4 as an option it wasn't until late 1997 when it was available

 

Take a wider view picture of the engine bay too, maybe a few more angles as well