time for a replacement engine..3.8, 5.0, or modular?

[berg87]

my 97 E-150 work van 4.2L wore out a couple months ago. Since then i have been saving money and investigating which route to go. 1. Rebuild what i have? phone quotes $3500 and above out the door. 2. Reman engine? nearly the same as the rebuild price. 3. used 4.2L? strike 3, way over budget close to reman price. 4. Swap to 3.8L. Hmmm? nice price for used engine. probably under $1200 for everything. And much less if i do the R&R myself. 5. Swap to V8, 5.0L or modular? Well i'm concerend about the reliability and durability of the 3.8L as well as the reduction in power. What year(s) and vehicle make the best donor if i go with the 3.8L? Now as for a v8 swap. I'm very interested in changing to the 5.0L. I did a search and learned that many have asked the question but did not see that anyone actually completed the job. So i ask everyone again for your help. If i switch to the 5.0L and a matching auto trans. to get around the ECM controlled trans i have now; can this be done without extreme expense? where i live we do not have emission inspection so this is not an issue for me, legally or morally. seems with all the 4.2L that have failed and or worn out. We'd have a better low cost option than to only swap to the 3.8L Which i think is nobody's first choice. Emission issues aside....can we all get our v8? 5.0l that is. I know a work around for the modulars exists. to me the 5.0L or even 5.8L seem like a great answer. adequate power, durable, reliable, easy to maintain, low cost.... thanks everyone. i look forward to solving this issue with your help. *** GO McCain/Palin ***

[RP27G8G]

What do you use the van for??? If the 4.2 worked well for your use then that would probably be the easiest. If you want to have your "V8" then you'll probably want to find a donor vehicle with the engine/trans together so you have any necessary electronics unless you go with a 5.0 AOD combo. You'll still need mounts, crossmemebers, etc.

[BrianA]

+1 ^^

Seems the easiest and most likely to succeed would be going back with another 4.2.

Other efforts might wind up with a lot of time and money invested and potentially never wind up with a satisfactory outcome.

[berg87]

thanks RP27G8G and Brian for your replies.

The work load for my van is fairly light for a "work vehicle" I haul anywhere from 300# to 400# pounds of tools and supplies daily, sometimes a little less sometimes a little more. Mostly comination in town and highway driving, no towing.

Going with a 4.2L rebuilt, reman, or used will cost more than i care to spend. If i choose to spend near the cost of a 4.2L my thought was could i use a 5.0L for this amount or even less if i do the labor. Clearly the 3.8L is the cheapest and easiest option.

what vehicles make for the best donor of a used 3.8L ?

what vehicle make for the best donor for a used 5.0L and AOD trans ?
what other parts are required in a 5.0L swap?

thanks again for your help.

[DirtStripHero]

I have heard that the bellhousing pattern is the same on the v6 and 302, so theoretically, why couldn't you just put it in with your current tranny? I'm looking toward Brian here, so he can tell me why this won't work. Because I am sure he knows a lot more about this than I would.

[berg87]

DirtSripHero, yes the bellhousing bolt pattern is the same on the 3.8/4.2 and the 302 5.0
the need for a trans swap is due to the issue that the current trans is contolled by the ECU and swapping from the v6 to the v8 will require the ECU for the v8 or a carb, therefore the current ECU will not be in place to work the current trans.

[berg87]

Since posting this thread i've been doing more research on the differnent options in dealing with a failed 4.2L

If cost in not an issue go with a reman or properly rebuilt 4.2L

if cost is an issue go with a used 3.8L

if you want a v8, the swap is possible, cost is not as cheap as going with the used 3.8L but not as high as a reman or rebuilt 4.2L but it is involved time and material wise.

so if you want a v8 engine, buy another van/truck.

i'm searching the local classifieds and Craigslist for v8 powered work vans and if one goes for sale in my price range i'll buy it, otherwise i'll be going with a used 3.8L

thanks for everyones help and advice.

[mpeace]

I have a 4.2 in my 97 f150 that is bad,I talked to the ford place today and they said the only engine that would bolt to the trans is a 97-98 4.2.
I to would like to put a 5.0 since I can get one for free,and somebody told me if my trans will bolt up to leave it hooked to the factory computer and it will still work.