The short story: I have a 2wd 57 F100 budget build going on that'll get a Crown Vic IFS shortly. I'm planning on using a carbureted mod motor backed by a halfton M5OD (I like the ratios and price compared to the other Trans options). Initial thoughts were just grabbing the first good PI 4.6 I found for the right price but too much thinking has lead me to consider using either a 5.4 for increased torque or an explorer 4.6 for reduced weight. This is a cruiser not a max effort build and money is a major consideration. I'm an experienced builder and I have a good idea of my direction but thought I would solicit opinions. Any thoughts will be appreciated

 

Bump: really? Nobody has an opinion? I'll even listen to someone calling me a dummy for thinking such a thing. Just looking to bounce ideas off of people; even if they're not good ideas.

 

FWIW: I've read around the edges here and elsewhere about these engines. First, they are very wide. Second, even though they are "modular" motors, that refers to tooling, not the engines themselves. You can have two 4.6 motors side by side and find very little interchange. (Romeo built vs. Windsor built) Early motors are turds. Later "Performance Improved" motors are better, but it seems changes each model year could be a real issue. You will have to adapt EFI to your truck, along with perhaps the PATS system. Good luck with that. You will need almost the entire harness out of the donor, and you better keep track of what that is.

Serving suggestion: Find a 302 or 351W, build it old school and drive with pride.

jmo, good luck with it.

 

I know that this post is quite old and you've already made a decision but i found this recently and it may help your case a little bit.
How to Run Downdraft Carburetors on a 4.6 Engine - Street Rodder Magazine

 

Thanks guys. Sorry I forgot to say I'm very familiar with these engines, as well as most Ford engines from flatheads to Powerstrokes, and am very aware of the challenges of swapping them. My plans were calling for a standard PI 4.6 (from a truck, Crown Vic, etc whatever I can find on the super cheap) with an Edelbrock carbureted intake, MSD ignition control box, good exhaust and little else. My question was engine choice.

Since the truck is fairly light as is I was considering an aluminum block 4.6 from an Explorer to save weight on the front end but couldn't talk myself into the extra cost. Locally I can find the normal iron block engines for around $300 to almost free. The explorer motors get up there topping out at over a grand.

I was also thinking about a truck 5.4 for the extra torque the longer stroke provides. There wouldn't be that much different between the iron block 4.6 and 5.4 in this swap, they're priced about the same with the only added cost being an adapter for the edelbrock intake and from experience, stock to stock, the 5.4 is a much better engine power wise.

So I guess my question is would, in your opinion, it be worth the extra cost for an aluminum block 4.6? I'm looking at three times the cost for the same power over an iron block but I save a couple hundred pounds off the front end.

If not, then would it be worth it to use a 5.4? It would be basically the same price, just a little more weight but would give me a lot better power curve and smiles per gallon.



...or should I say the hell with a "sporty" truck, modern engine and new front end; jack up the the front straight axle, hang some skinnies on it, drop the rear and put monster slicks on it, stab a super lumpy cam in the good FE I just picked up yesterday and make a super kool gasser out of this sum-um...female dog

 

I'm honestly thinking the gasser look would be amazing.

 

That was the initial plan when I bought the truck but the 390 I had sitting in the garage ended up needing more work than I wanted to put into it. Plus, I didn't have a Trans to go with it. I just picked up a complete 76 f150 chassis with a running 360 in it. I know it won't be a power house but this truck is about attitude not actually going fast. I'm thinking straight pipes and a lumpy cam will get me there. I'll build my sport truck next time

 

Sounds pretty good