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Interested in swapping your 4.6 to a 5.4? This thread lists several problems you may run in to. The most common are:

Read the full discussion below to find out how to deal with the common issues.

4.6 to 5.4 Swap Notes

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Feb 25, 2009 | 08:08 AM

#16

Dave H.

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Just want to thank you for your hard work, JMC. I have an extended-cab, long-bed F-150 with the 4.6L and a M5OD that I have been dreaming of swapping to a 5.4L some day, and the information you've provided really helps!

It may take a year from now, but I really like the manual tranny in a truck way too much to give up on it and just buy a newer truck. I would, however, like to make the whole system less dependent on computers to make the whole truck run, but I don't think that would be possible as old-style distributors were never made for these engines.

Mar 16, 2009 | 12:22 PM

#17

scooter68

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Jean,
i have done the swap from the 4.6 to the 5.4 and have used the 4.6 harness as you descibed. i am not getting any spark at the plugs. any ideas?
thanks
Scott

Mar 16, 2009 | 01:28 PM

#18

JMC

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From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooter68

Jean,
i have done the swap from the 4.6 to the 5.4 and have used the 4.6 harness as you descibed. i am not getting any spark at the plugs. any ideas?
thanks
Scott

What year 5.4 did you use and what year is the 4.6?

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Mar 16, 2009 | 01:38 PM

#19

scooter68

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Both are 98's

Mar 19, 2009 | 12:59 PM

#20

scooter68

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Jean,
just wondering if you had any thoughts on my issue?
thanks
Scott

Mar 19, 2009 | 02:12 PM

#21

JMC

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From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada

What did you use for an ignition system? COP from the 5.4 or the coil packs and plug wires from the 4.6?

.

Mar 19, 2009 | 02:32 PM

#22

scooter68

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coil packs and wires from the 4.6

Mar 19, 2009 | 04:16 PM

#23

JMC

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From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada

Swap the cam and crank sensor form your 4.6 onto the 5.4. I would suggest posting this in the V8 engine section. Multiple heads are better than one.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Jul 23, 2009 | 06:35 PM

#24

stallyn1

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From: North Lost Wages

Thanks JMC!

Last edited by stallyn1; Jul 30, 2009 at 02:08 AM.

Aug 1, 2009 | 02:00 PM

#25

bad_ass_rhino

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From: Austin, MN

I have summit headers on my 4.6. will they bolt to the 5.4? Summit lists different part numbers for the headers, but the same gasket. ???

Aug 1, 2009 | 08:32 PM

#26

JMC

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From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada

They should bolt up but they will not be in the proper location to connect the exhaust collector. Not a big issue if you are going with a custom exhaust.

Aug 2, 2009 | 03:35 PM

#27

bad_ass_rhino

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From: Austin, MN

does it matter what year of 5.4 i use? or should i saw which year is easier and which is better?

Aug 2, 2009 | 05:06 PM

#28

JMC

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I am partial to he 99 model year. It has a forged crankshaft, metal intake manifold and Power improved heads.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

Aug 3, 2009 | 07:17 PM

#29

Dave H.

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Was there only one year for a forged crankshaft?

Aug 3, 2009 | 09:06 PM

#30

JMC

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From: Windsor,Ontario,Canada

1999 was the only year that had all three. It was the first and only year of the Pi heads in the F-150 with metal intake manifold. In 2000 they switched to a plastic intake.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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