Argument #1

theres been an argument here at school lately over my truck. Stock 1998 4.6 windsor. Ive got several friends here that are car buffs, (and a couple that think they are). I enjoy cars but im not a know-it-all. They've been debating on whether or not my truck motor/heads are aluminum. Ive always understood it as a cast iron block with aluminum heads, but i may be wrong. Anyone have the 100% correct answer to our debate? Any links/sites, etc to prove the answer whichever it may be?




Argument #2

Ive got the 4.6/4r70w auto and im interested to know why my truck is a "4-speed automatic", however when driving there are 5 different driving gears that the truck goes thru. Yes im not crazy, i have straight pipes on my truck so i can hear just fine, and ive had 3 auto mechanincs that laughed at me when i told them this. They thought I was crazy. They took my truck for a drive and all came back going---->
Is it something to do with the torque converter? Is it an overdrive gear, like a "4 speed overdrive" (which means 4+1=5). All my buddies here are raddin on me pretty hard and i dont give a chit cause im not one to get mad about little chit like this but id like to have some answers so that we can put these things to rest. Thanks guys!




-Pat

 

For your tranny it is a 4 speed the last thing that feels like a shift is the torque converter locking up. should drop the tack like 2-3 hundred rpm's

If I'm wrong someone slap me

 

thats what i figured that it had a locking torque converter.

 

I took a quick Vid, will post it later tonight.

 

Your engine has cast iron block and aluminum heads. Thats why we have spark plug blow out problems. Thats why we have warped heads causing leaks. Im no expert, but thats what Im been told by my dad who is a retired mechanic and hates Ford. He also doesnt understand why our parts are so expensive compared to GM or Dodge.

 

i didnt think 4.6's had plug-spitting problems, i thought that was just the 5.4 heads.

 

HI!... All the modular engines use aluminum cylinder heads. The "5TH" gear as you call it, IS the TQ converter locking up. This is done for MPG. The 4.6/5.4 use the same heads. Either it be NON "P.I" or "P.I".

 

Tell him it's because you get what you pay for, and Ford doesn't sell cheap junk.
Also, remind him the new Duramax diesel in GM's heavy duty trucks have aluminum heads, so if he's going to hold that against Ford, then he should hold it against them, too.

 

well my buddy has just been saying that my 98 4.6 Windsor F-150 motor is all aluminum including the heads. I believe the aluminum heads part but i doubt they'd put a aluminum engine in a standard pickup

 

As mentioned, he's wrong. It's a cast iron block and aluminum heads. Aluminum blocks cost a fortune and are in few vehicles. If he want's proof, why not have them actually LOOK under the hood, it's very obvious.

 

FYI, 2002+ Explorers w/4.6 have all aluminum blocks.

 

yea i knew that some or all of the new 4.6's were aluminum but he's trying to tell me that my motor is all aluminum. I didnt think it was...i think ill find a magnet and show him lol....nah too lazy.

 

Green98,

All F-150's have the cast iron block 4.6. By the way, nice red Chevy you got there. I tend to like all old vehicles even if they aren't Fords!

 

hey thanks!
I LOVE the older chevys, the 47-54's are my favorite. I also like the 73-88's, i love that body style. Had my hands on a great 67 1/2 ton shortbed with a 250 I-6 last summer but didnt bite on it. Truck was original mississippi truck in great shape and he only wanted 1000 bucks for it....oh well '

Ill find me a few more ol chevys...when i finish college