Alright so I have the 1997 4.2, with the gasket problems and all that. Unbelievable after 175,000 miles I am starting to lose anti-freeze and water and over-heating and all that good stuff. I did what everyone would do and replaced the water pump. No luck. So now, I have decided just to get a new motor. I want a the Triton V8. How much conversion and how much would this run me? Has anyone done it before. I want some advice before I look to far into it. Thanks a lot.

 

best bet is to talk to a wrecking yard and get all the parts from there. You will need LOTS of parts. Engine, mounts maybe, larger radiator, electrical harness,computer... on and on. It won't be cheap and would probably be better to just trade your truck for one that you like.

 

WOW... ok then lol, just wanted to see what it would take. Would a 4.6 be a little different... hopefully? Thanks for the advice

 

HI!... If your going to go through all the trouble to swap to a v8, then don't waste your time on a 4.6. Go with a 5.4.

 

OOOH Boy!! LOL what am I going to do? lol

 

dang neal can i say it first for once?

 

No. :d

 

Can I get a rough estimate from 4.2 to 5.4? How big of a loan will I have to take out... lol.

 

Its gonna cost ya. But Neal can tell you what to expect better than me, I have no money to spend on an engine swap, but if I did I would go V-10!

 

that is way out of the question..lol thanks for everyones help though i appreciate it... I wish i could get this kind of response out of my suspension question down there it is kind of urgent. thanks guys

 

You are still going to have to get a new motor soon or a new truck. So which one will it be?

 

either way no matter what you do, even if you get a donor truck to steal the motor and harness from your still probably looking at something close to $2k. plus im not sure if your trans will hold up to the 4.6 or 5.4 (i highly doubt it would with the 5.4)

your ideal route in this situation if your truck holds sentimental value (like mine does for me, too much time and money into suspension for me to walk away.) would be to grab the motor, trans, wiring harnesses and the pcm.

 

My truck has a ton of sentimental value, lol my dad bought it with 7 miles on it in 1997 and I bought from him with 173,446 miles on it and now I have 175,069 on it, so it has been around awhile. But according to most of the posts on here and other places, my truck is making it farther than most other 97's. Is this correct? Thanks

 

Why don't you just get the lower intake gaskets replaced on that 4.2 before it hydrolocks and drive it some more?

 

That is what my dad is wanting to do... but i want it to last a long long time.