Hi, new here. I've been long considering an engine swap on my '89 F-250, not for necessity but just for a little project. It has a pretty much stock (except K&N and Flowmaster) 5.0, which really gets plenty of mileage (19 highway) and enough power for what I need. Still runs great at 182K miles.

My main engine choices would be a stock 4.6, don't really care which year, or better yet a new 5.0. Anyone heard of such a swap? I know it can be done, and I'm pretty well set up to do it, just wanted to hear some opinions or better yet links to a similar project.

And my reasons for swapping to the 4.6 or 5.0, instead of something bigger, is simply fuel economy. Way I see it, both engines have more power and run a lot smoother than my current 5.0, and will get better mileage. Seeing as my current engine has enough to do the job, I'm not really wanting much more.

Anyway, the truck is mainly used for light towing (no more than 6,000lbs), hauling my cabover camper around the desert, and random other misc. jobs (the bed is rarely ever empty). I won't be doing it anytime soon, seeing as my current 5.0 doesn't seem to want to die. And I just can't waste a perfectly good motor.

Also, any other snags you see in my future would be much appreciated to know about. Smog (I live in California) is a big concern of mine, though it would be cleaner anyway. Computer placement, climate controls, etc.

Thanks!

Here's a few videos of the truck:
towing up a mountain - Lucerne Valley, CA to Big Bear, CA - YouTube
shock replacement fun - F-250 With no Shocks - YouTube
lift gate fun - Overloaded F-250 - YouTube
light mudding - Jeep and F-250 Playing in the Mud - YouTube
Old Start - '89 F-250 5.0 Cold Start and Rev - YouTube
Starter replacement - F-250 Starter Replacement - YouTube
Driving through desert - Driving to Dumont - YouTube

I have a ton more

 

While swapping in a newer engine would be cool what you're talking about here is a MASSIVE job because it doesn't just involve the engine it involves replacing the whole powertrain and chassis wiring harness since absoluetly none of what you have now is compatable with the newer engine or transmission.

As for getting better than 19mpg you're kidding yourself, for starters that's exceptional for a 5.0 powered F250 so consider yourself lucky, with the current state of the art engine(ecoboost) some people are seeing low 20mpg highway but a lot more are only getting high teens and in the city these trucks are still way down in the low teens or even single digits. It takes the same energy to move a load no matter what engine you have so you won't see any milage improvements unless you also make the vehicle lighter, and that impacts payload capacity so it's a no win situation with trucks.

 

Thanks for the info Conanski. I was planning on replacing the entire powertrain (I've already found a full 5.0 setup on eBay with engine, transmission and all computers), and the wiring is absolutely no problem for me. Now that I think of it though, better than 19mpg does seem a bit crazy even with a new motor. I guess the biggest advantage would be a big increase in power, especially with the new 5.0. Almost double the horsepower and a big jump in torque.

Like I said though, I know it would be a big challenge, and that's pretty much what I look forward to. Thanks!

 

The 5.0 you currently have is capable of making close to 300hp without any major changes.. mainly just swap in a cam with lobes on it(these old motors have tiny cams) and strap a full exhaust system on it. This is what I have done to my current truck and it's a LOT more powerful than stock, night and day difference really. Getting to 400hp with it isn't much harder but for that performance level you'll need to put a MAF conversion on it, bigger injectors, and a tuner.
FWIW I have driven a 2011 5.0 F150 and yes it is faster than my truck but not by as much as you would think.. which surprised me actually. I'd have to say the biggest advantage the new truck has is with the transmission, 5 close speeds are better than 4 widely spaced ratios at keeping the motor in the sweet spot.