Hey all, I am not saying I want to do this. Nor am I saying it would be a good swap. This is simply curiosity. If I was to remove my 4.2L V6 and swap in a 4.6L V8: 1) would it bolt up to my factory 5 speed tranny? 2) could the computers just be swapped over from one truck to the other if they were both manuals to begin with? 3) Is it possible to buy a computer from Ford (or someone) to calibrate all this together?

What are all your thoughts on this?

Crotteau

 

I'm sure it could be done.

 

Would the engine have too much torque for the tranny, or are they pretty similar inside to begin with?

 

You will need the PCM and the engine wire harness from Ford. Now would be a good time to switch to COP if the doner 4.6 doesn't have it. The Trannies are the same but I thing the clutch, pressure plate and flywheel are different. Check out the 4.6 to see if the crank shaft has 8 (Windsor) or 6 (Romeo) bolts holding the flywheel. It can be done. Why not go nuts and put in a 5.4?

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

JMC-
I would love to go to a 5.4L, however I may have a line on a 4.6L. I am pretty sure that the 5.4L would require some other mods than I am comfortable with. Also, would the 5.4L require a different tranny? I don't think they are available with a manual unless you get one in a superduty.

Crotteau

 

This is just my $.02, but that seems like really trying to do something the hard way. With as many Used Ford F-150's around, I would think it would be way, way easier to sell what you have, then buy a truck with your Triton 8, and then modify from there.

It sounds like a many month, many $$$$$, many headaches project.

 

Installing the 4.6 is not that hard if the doner engine has all the sensors. I just had the clutch changed on mine. 10hrs work. Pulling the engine is about as much. If you like turning a wrench it sounds like a fun project.

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Peddler- I wouldn't mind doing that, if I could find the exact same truck as mine, only equipped with a V8. I just finished swapping out the gears for 4.56s, I also put in a set of add-a-leaf springs (sandblasting and painting the springs in the process) and I am in the middle of putting in a decent stereo. Also, this truck has a lot of memories in it for me. (I can tell you where almost all the scratches came from) I wouldn't think the V8 swap would be that bad, if only I could find someone who has done it. I have seen some of these trucks swap over to carbueration and I think in OFF-ROAD magazine a few months back they had a carbuerated 4.2L V6 putting out 400 horsepower in a little Ranger Pre-runner. I am rambling here, but that is why I posted this in the first place... different ideas.

Crotteau

 

The mechanical difficulties may not be that bad. I am in the middle of swapping my 4.9l I-6 to a 351w. Its basically plug and chugg mechanically. I would reccomend buying a wrecked truck, prefferably the same model year so you have everything you need. Wiring is the hard part. My '89 has a massive tangle of wires. I dont even want to think about the amount of wires the newer ones have. You would have to change your computer, and all of the wiring from your computer to the rest of your vehicle. Since you are going from a v-6 to a v-8 your computer will have to send information via the wiring system to 8 cylynders. I would also order a wiring diagram. Even if you have an exact replacement, you will still have a lot of wiring to figure out. the main harness from the firewall has sensors for tranny, headlights, engine sensors and lights, ignition, power, winshield wiper, and a ton of other wiring intermingled with the engine and computer wiring. It can be done, just remember, Ford didnt intend for it to be done. Its not for the novice or undetermined. I would reccomend buying another vehicle with a v-8. You will save money (believe me on this) and a ton of headaches. But hey, Im doing mine and I would do it all over again. I'll probably have 60 hrs. in my engine swap. Worth it to you? Who knows.