how to tell diffrence....

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RobertNol

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I bought a expedition the other day. He advertised it as a 98 4.6..... I read the door jam and its a 97... also I looked up the vin and it pulls up as a 5.4... 8th digit is "L"..

Is there a way to look at the motor and tell the diffrence?
 

rburch

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Easiest way i know is the engine cover should say 5.4 or 4.6! If not then the 4.6 has 2 four tower coils on the front of each side of the engine and the 5.4 has coil on plugs.
 
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RobertNol

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YEAHH BUDDY!!!!!!

She is a 5.4! To bad she's still seized. I think this upcoming monday ill start looking for a 5.4.... any one have any good idea where to find a decent 5.4 for less then 750? That would be perfect becuase I still have to buy an engine hoist.


Also best plan of attack to do the swap? Take or leave the grill/radiator? I've read you can leave that and hood but what's easier. I'm not trying to prove a point..
 

rburch

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Never leave the radiator in unless you dont mind buying a new one! Lets face it **** happens! If it was me i would take it out! And its going to be way easier if the hood is off!

As far as finding an engine check craigslist and try to find one you can hear running!
 
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RobertNol

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Southeast Region Locations | LKQ Self Service

Dirt cheap parts.... LKQ is national chain of U-picks. Complete engines are normally about $200 here in the midwest.

Holy smokes your right I called and they said a complete engine is 680. Do you know of anything I wouldn't need like wiring harness or anything else that would save me a little more?
 

Stoned06

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I think in 1999 Ford made a few changes, and the harnesses might be different from your '98. You can probably rewire where needed if you get a '99 or later engine, but just be aware it might not be 100% plug and play. I'm sure someone who has better info will chime in when they get a chance.
 

mpsjr

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If it helps with the year-model confusion, the truck might still be a '98. If the door jam says July 1997 or later (>7/97), that's a '98 model. If it's June or before (<6/97), then it's a '97. They generally start making the next year model vehicles in July of any given year.
 
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RobertNol

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Whowey thanks man!! I found one close to a job I was at today, the lady on the phone was nuts... 310 for the engine plus I get 75 back if I return the motor. CANT complain there!!


Also Ill check into the year when I checked the vin for the motor I didn't even pay attention to year I was just happy to see 5.4!


Another question from the newb here.... at the yard I found a 99 navigator... the motor looked decent... worth the swap?

Keeping in mind trying to make this a BUDGETTTT swap lol.


EDIT: it is defiantly a 97. If that helps with the navigator question.
 
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rburch

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Whowey thanks man!! I found one close to a job I was at today, the lady on the phone was nuts... 310 for the engine plus I get 75 back if I return the motor. CANT complain there!!


Also Ill check into the year when I checked the vin for the motor I didn't even pay attention to year I was just happy to see 5.4!


Another question from the newb here.... at the yard I found a 99 navigator... the motor looked decent... worth the swap?

Keeping in mind trying to make this a BUDGETTTT swap lol.

EDIT: it is defiantly a 97. If that helps with the navigator question.

Worth the swap, yes! Within your budget, depends one price! Your going to need the engine, engine wire harness, and the ECM! If you want DOHC then it would be better to save some more money and buy a whole Lincoln Mark VIII!
 
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