Need help with some 4.6 issues

[purevilpleasure]

Hey guys I am in need of some help. I have a 98 Expy with the 4.6 motor. I thought the head gasket was out because it was running rough when first started and burning antifreeze badly. Than I had some more issues and decided to tear it down.

Here's what I've got so far....

Follower was off #2 cylinder when valve cover removed.

Signs of antifreeze but head gaskets showed no signs of leakage.

Last time it ran it "burned" up a spark plug in #2 cylinder but now that heads are off I now know that some of it went in to the cylinder and messed it up good.

Here's what I have issues with. I think the block is cracked. The timing chains need replaced, one head looks good and the other will need work. I am to the point that I am not going to bore or think about rebuilding it. I started looking for a Reman and it seems I can't find anyone that can has one and I'm not looking to spend 3 grand on one either. I have found some high mileage ones that I don't think I would trust.

This is the W motor or the Romeo. Has this motor been replaced with another one and that's why I can't find a remaned one, or am I going to have to find a cheap used one and rebuild it?

 

[ecqm8000]

I believe all trucks use Windsors. The valve (cam) cover is held down with 13 on one side and 14 on the other. I've bought engines over the years from auto recyclers and have had good results. Just find a shop you can get a warranty. Lately I've used a company called Greenleaf out of Dallas. I've driven down to pick engines up, and have had them shipped. They can tell you the VIN of the unit the engine is being pulled from, they can even offer the CarFax for the truck. You'll know the mileage and history.

If time is not an issue see if there is a trade school in the area looking for projects for the students to rebuild.

 

[purevilpleasure]

Rebuilding it isn't the issue except for about 300 bucks or so I can get a remand from out of state with a warranty. Finally found some that might interest me. Now I'm wondering about how some of these places like cores in pieces?

 

[ecqm8000]

Another thought is look on Craigslist for a private party who is parting out. This may be old news to all, but a couple months ago I found a site called Jaxed Mash (or a similar search). I gave the ability to seach regions/states or the entire country. It also has a parts thing....

I'm an older dog, and can still learn new tricks.

 

[markanthony]

I say if you are going to rebuild anything. Just rebuild the one you got if it's not cracked. If it's cracked. Find a remand or a crate motor. Hear in Utah we have American Engine Exchange. They have a great system. They will take your core and rebuild it. Then they resell it to the next person in line. They give it all new bearings, fresh head parts and all. They can also port polish the heads for some extra greens. I have bought a few from them, and have had wonderful luck. Their warranty is 3 years or 100,000 miles. They also hook up each rebuilt motor and do the break in period as well, then drain fluids for shipping/pickup weight. I am sure their are some other places like this one that does the same thing. because they do the work the money is a little better.

I would also 2nd a trade school. I wish they had a good one around hear.

 

[99 Expy]

All of the 4.6 are "windsor" motors. The difference between windsor and romeo is the plant where they were made. All of the 4.6 have the same block. The first 4.6 to 98 had non-PI (performance improved) heads. From 99 till they made the 3 valve heads, they had the PI heads. They also have a different rotating assembly. I'm not sure exactly what the difference is, but I read a magazine where they put PI heads on a non PI engine and got a higher compression that when on the PI engine. Anyway, if you get a new motor, try to get a PI motor because they have more power. But if you want to build the motor up a little and find your block is not cracked, you can get ported PI heads from Ford Racing for 400 a piece, keep the stock bottom end but put in new rings and bearings, get some low torque cams, and some custom tunes. This is what I would like to do, but I don't want to spend the money if I won't have the truck for more than a couple more years.
I was just trying to tell you the difference about the motors, but now you have some new ideas

 

[purevilpleasure]

All of the 4.6 are "windsor" motors. The difference between windsor and romeo is the plant where they were made. All of the 4.6 have the same block. The first 4.6 to 98 had non-PI (performance improved) heads. From 99 till they made the 3 valve heads, they had the PI heads. They also have a different rotating assembly. I'm not sure exactly what the difference is, but I read a magazine where they put PI heads on a non PI engine and got a higher compression that when on the PI engine. Anyway, if you get a new motor, try to get a PI motor because they have more power. But if you want to build the motor up a little and find your block is not cracked, you can get ported PI heads from Ford Racing for 400 a piece, keep the stock bottom end but put in new rings and bearings, get some low torque cams, and some custom tunes. This is what I would like to do, but I don't want to spend the money if I won't have the truck for more than a couple more years.
I was just trying to tell you the difference about the motors, but now you have some new ideas

I know deep down inside that there can't be a big issue if I toss in a Windsor instead of a Romeo. I knew about them being built in different plants. I've looked up the rebuild kits for them and they are different. I also keep seeing different info on the Romeos that some say it was used only from 97 and 98 but than the rebuild kits say up to 03. I know mine is a 97 motor. The valve cover bolts were not integrated in the covers and the truck is a late 97 model.

I guess I know the blocks are the same but if I would get a remand Windsor for some reason I wonder if it would just bolt up? Computer issues? Other issues?

 

[ecqm8000]

There is a book out there on rebuilding the 4.6. It is a pretty good book, but really only deals with the 4.6 in a car. I'm old school 352, 390, 427, 428 FE. 260, 289, 302 and 351 W. 351 & 400 C and the 429-460 LIMA engines. This is my second try at a mod motor. I bought a used 92 Crown Vic in the mid 90s that developed a cracked ring. This book helped me to get better aquainted with the newer stuff offered by Ford. The book also states that the crank to flywheels have different bolt patterns (6 and 8 hole) was not a problem for the cars as long as the other needed parts matched. I don't know if the truck parts differ enough to cause a problem. But as the old timers say....Look before you leap.