03 4.6 swap?

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chopsieze

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Picked up an 03 with a 4.6 that I couldn't find the miss (as I have been reading tonight I wished I would have tried an intake gasket) but the motor started ticking/clicking.... not sure what it is. It's on the drivers side and seems to be under the valve cover so guessing valve or lifter. I'm not super experienced but always do my own work on my cars and motorcycles and want to attempt this.

I got a 97 Town Car motor that I heard run that sounds and even looks great. I read and read and after my head almost exploding finally just went for it in hopes for a half way easy swap. My neighbor wanted the tranny from the Town Car so we split the $500 so I got a great sounding motor for $250.

Just getting ready to pull the motor (never done one) and wondering if anyone can point me to any decent guides/how to's, I can't find any yet. I have a haynes (maybe chiltons) and should probably get a service manual as I don't think my manual is very detailed with torque specs etc and covers a lot or years/models.

Thanks!
 

Gapafudus

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I agree with Bedrck, that's the only way u can find how to do it, or let someone that has done it before walk you through. You ain't going to find no article online or any YouTube video how to do it. It is to much to recorded and explain, or even write about it. If you get yourself a workshop manual, you will be able to do it, it's a little be confusing the way they describe the work procedures, but it can be done.
 

cajun01

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It needs to be a PI engine and you have to buy new motor mounts and modify them. Also you would need a new front cover. Our blocks are Aluminum and the crown Vic is iron. It took me months to do the swap, because of issues and research

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chopsieze

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Hoping a friend has a service manual, otherwise will be buying one.

Cajun, thanks, I have no idea what I'm going to run into. I was doing some research then gave up as there is so much info out there. The replacement motor is iron and current is aluminum. I also think the replacent has non PI heads and current PI. I was told my intake would fit the non PI but now thinkng that's not the case. I have read about adapters sold/made by someone. Also read using PI heads on a non PI block gives you a decent HP gain because of compression increase and if I want a real boost to do cams and springs. I just don't know if my heads are in great shape and also don't want to have to worry about always being able to find 91+ octane.... Not to mention if I go that far I might as well consider rings and everything else on the motor. Trying to get this done on the cheap!

Hoping this doesn't turn into a nightmare.
 

cajun01

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You will need to have the computer tuned by someone if you are using non PI heads. That's a pile of money.

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chopsieze

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Cajun, can you or anyone else break down what exactly I would need to do the swap with the replacement motor I have (97 Town Car). If I keep the heads on it can I use the truck intake with new PI gaskets of course? I have all the accessories and motor mounts from the town car. It makes sense I would need to tune it afterwards.

I did just see a motor posted this morning local to me from an 04 F150 with 91,000 for $400 that I'm about to call about.... Claims its in great shape but I don't think it'so in the truck anymore so I won't be able to hear it run... I assume that would be almost the same engine as my 03 Expedition.
 

cajun01

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The 04 F150 engine is a PI head and 2v, so it will be a better option.
-The Engine mount plates had to be modified.
-The front timing cover for the Aluminum block doesn't line up with the Iron block. I used an 05 F150 STX front timing chain cover. It has the high mount power steering mounts like the Expedition.
-Everything needs to be swapped over except the block and heads.
-Expedition has 2 knock sensors in the valley, Fe block has one. I mounted the other behind the passenger head.
Engine mount 2.jpg Side by Side.jpg
It was a hell of a job. It took me a couple months in my spare time. Everything I researched was wrong about the Iron to Aluminum swap.

Engine mount 1.jpg
 
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