well add my ford to the list of fallen 97 4.2 I had the head gasket faluire like everyone else, and I am looking to today for a new motor or a rebuild. I know one thing for sure this has tainted the way I feel about ford because i was never notifed of this default, and at 100,000k I feel like i wasted my money on this truck. But anyways looking at 2000$ for a rebuild and 3500$ for a new motor.

Anybody have any advice or ideas on strapping a v-8 in instead?

 

If you want to upgrade to a V8, get a wreck. You'll need the motor, wiring harness, computer and probably a host of small parts. Plus the wreck will give you an idea how to put everything together.

I'm considering this swap right now. My 2001 suffers from excessive piston slap.

 

And the tranny. They're not the same.

 

tranny depends... i thought the 4.2 and 4.6 used the same one...may not be right though

 

nope 4.2 and 4.6 have different tranny bolt patterns. i hear the 5.0 has the same bolt pattern as the 4.2L though it would make for a harder swap.

 

I swapped a 5.4 motor and trans in place of my 4.2 in my 97. Pretty straightforward but you need the complete harness and computer. And it is a lot of work because that motor is tight. Mine came out of a 98 Expedition so I had to modify some of the wiring for the brake system. One thing to watch for is the PATS key system, I actually had to get an F150 computer because the Expedition used the PATS system and the F150s didn't start using it until 99-(it is the chip in the key for security). I now have a 4.2 and trans for sale in the classified section, but the motor needs rebuilt. Also it helps to have a factory service manual with all the wiring diagrams. I bought mine on CD off Ebay cheap.