I've got a '97 with the 4.6. It has 126,000 miles on it now, and still runs excellent. But, I was thinking that if i were to buy a supercharger (highly doubt it) i know the engine wouldn't last much longer with that on. What would it take to make the engine like new, so i can add more mods and not worry about it breaking down in the near future? Also, what does it take to rebuild these engines, i dont know too much about the modular engines.

 

Before you touch the internals do a compression test to check the motor's condition. If you aren't hearing any unusual mechanical noises (valve train etc.) you should be fine for supercharging. Rebuilding a motor requires some specialized tools. You'll need to send the block and cylinder heads to a machine shop as well as the crank and other pieces to have them chemically cleaned and checked for correct specs, hone the cylinders, new bearings, etc. I've only done rebuilds on air-cooled VW motors and taken pushrod V-8s apart for cleaning.

Most large automotive shops (that do in-house rebuilds) have a chemical solvent tank to clean your motor block and heads overnight. Eats the grease and grime right off.

If you're going to rebuild before supercharging think about reducing the compression ratio to lightning specs or around 8:1. I'm not sure how you'd accomplish that with the 4.6 but probably thicker head gasket and/or slightly shorter piston rods. An expert here needs to answer that question for you though.

 

So if my compression seems to be fine, and as far as i know my truck isn't making any funny noises, then my engine should last quite a bit longer? Do local shops do compression checks, or should i take it to ford? Do you know about how much it would cost? Thanks for the info.

 

You can buy a compression tester from Sears or most Auto Supplies (Harbor Freight included).

Are the components in a stocker motor good enough to take much boost? Most of the time its recommended to have nice rods and rod bolts at minimum. I don't know what these newer motors come with stock though. Some engines like the ones that come in the supra can take a LOT of power, others, not so much. I'll defer to someone with more practical experience in this department for now.

 

Look for a screw-in compression tester. Should be under $40. Basically, you just remove a spark plug and screw in the tester, then turn the motor over 3 times with the starter with the ignition disabled (pull the control wires off the coil packs). Write down the reading. I think they should all be within 10-15psi of each other and it's usually 120-130psi I think. Get yourself a repair manual.

I think the stock block and internals are quite ok for 100hp extra which is about what you get with a simple low-boost supercharger setup.

Talk to Crash! in the forums (supercharger forums) or visit http://www.trixters-playground.com/intro.htm which I think he is a part of or owns. I see that site has it's own forums, didn't check them out though. Those guys are putting a lot more boost into a stock motor that you will and can tell you exactly what you need and what to watch out for.

 

Hey, thanks for the replys.
A compression tester will be next on my list. Im probably not going to put on a supercharger, but was just curious what i could do to make sure my engine lasts longer. I probably will ad other mods to it, who knows maybe a supercharger will come along some day. Im just a little worried cause i am still making payments on my truck, and next fall/winter i am planning on moving from az to louisiana for tech school and i want to make sure my truck lasts. It already has 126,000 on it.