My buddy just bought a used 97 F150 with the 4.6. I have a 2000 with the 4.6 and mine has Triton written on the motor and on the fenders but his doesnt. He thinks that maybe in 97 Triton was an option that the original owner didnt want. Would anyone would know if there were 2 different 4.6s. Thanks.

 

Yes and No.

In answering your question, no. Ford has to sell new trucks every year. In 1997, it was enough just to present a new model. What would motivate a 1998 sale? Put the word Triton on the fender.
I have a 1999. What made me say "Shucks!" when the 2000 model came out? A driver's side grab handle. That's another thing on your truck that's missing from your buddy's 1997.

As far as two 4.6L engines, yes there were.

Look at the eighth position of your VIN.
If it is a 'W' the engine was built in Romeo MI
If it is a '6' the engine was built in Windsor Canada.

 

My '97 has Triton on the motor.

 

It is a Triton, it just doesn't have the "Triton V8" on the badge, my 97 is the same, plastic on motor has Triton on it, but badge just says F150 XLT, you can order the badge from the dealer that has the Triton V8 on it but be prepared to spend $$$, does anyone know where to get cheap badges other than a junk yard?

 

Believe it or not, I have a 97 Lariat, and except for the plastic cover on the engine, it doesn't say `Triton` anywhere. Except for the painted pinstripe and the stitched leather seats, it doesn't say `Lariat` anywhere, either.

 

Stinkin` double post.

 

Thanks guys. My buddy and I dont know alot about motors but he thought if his wasnt a Triton engine, maybe he got lucky and got a V8 with cast iron heads.

 

i heard there were 2 types of Triton motors; ones with plug wires and ones without plug wires. My 98 4.6 Windsor has plug wires, so perhaps the Romeo engines arent "triton" motors wihtout plug wires.

 

I checked my vin # on this site and found my truck was built in windsor ontario but the 8th digit is a w which Raoul said would mean the engine was built in michigan is it possible that my engine was built in michigan and the truck in windsor?

 

I have a 97 Lariat, too with no "Triton" on the side badge either. It just says "F-150." We have the pin-stripe saying lariat also. The only place where the Triton name is mentioned is on teh plastic TB dust cover.

My 2001 4.6L had "Triton V8" on the side. Same engine, though.


There are two types of 4.6L configuration (SOHC and DOHC), but we done't have to worry about that with our trucks, just in the Mustangs.

 

I thought the 97's with 5.4 had triton there badges and the 4.6's didn't.

I bought new badges for a 99 for $20 a piece.

 

I think that the 4.6 with no plug wires came about as a year modle change for both Romeo and Windsor, I don't think they were that different of engines. Someone with more knowledge on this subject will have to clear this up.

 

As far as I know All of the 4.6's have plug wires and the 5.4's don't.

All of these "modular" engines are basically the same wether they are built in mich or can. They are just different factories that ford uses to build engines.

All of the modular engines have aluminum heads and all of the regular f-150's have sohc the navigators and lightnings (I think) have dohc.

 

By 2000, Ford went to COP on the 4.6L as used on the 5.4L.

I don't know if the change occurred in 98 or in 99, but the change occurred somewhere in there.

Steve

 

Here is what I know, the V8s used in the trucks: 4.6 triton and 5.4 triton.

1997 none of the trucks had the triton badge under the F-150 badge. Both Romeo and Windsor built 4.6 engines used.

1998 Ford introduced the triton badge under the F150 badge.
Both Windsor and Romeo 4.6s used.

1999 Both Romeo and Windsor supplied engines. 5.4 engines got the PI heads

2000 Romeo only 4.6 engines and COP ignition introduced on the 4.6.

2001 PI heads used on the 4.6 too.

JMC