1st post, New member.

Is it possible to mate a new 2011 5.0L truck engine to a 98' F150 4X4 E4OD? Or did they redesign them to only fit the new six speed trannys? Would it bolt right up or not? I'm considering options for a new engine install or a rebuild, with 185,000 on the OE 5.4L. It's starting to loose milage and power and burning a little oil through the rings or the OE valve seals. Also has some valve noise that has slightly increased.

 

Welcome to the forum!
Concerning your question,admittedly I know nothing about the new engines.I have owned a 97 XL,and now an 07 XL.Both with the 4.2 longbox auto.
What I can tell you is it likely will be MUCH more of a headache for you to swap than it would be to just rebuild the present powerplant.
Im sure that ALL of the electronics involved would have to be "upgraded" as well as mounts,exhaust etc,and as you asked...it likely wont even bolt up to the tranny.
With that being said,Im sure someone here will post a more intellegent response.

 

The new "Coyote" 5.0L has the same bolt pattern as the older modulars. It will drop in and bolt up to the trans, but that's where the simple swap stops. On the Coyote, the alternator is placed where the PS pump was on the previous trucks,and there is nowhere to mount your PS pump. The TIVCT cannot be controlled with your PCM. There are many little odd-and-end items that will blow any kind of budget that you might decide on.
It's possible, but it just depends on how much you want to invest.
JL

 

Thanks for the info guys, I knew that was a strong possibility. I just wanted the higher milage and increased power the newer engines offer without having to buy a new truck. I love my 98' F150 XLT 4X4. OE manual says 238 hp from the factory for the OE 5.4L.

 

Swapping in a newer 5.4l would result in some power increases. The 99-03 F150 5.4l would have 260 hp and would be a direct swap.

 

I called one Ford parts dealer and they won't let you swap a 98' for a 99' long block. Even if I could find one (99' Reman) would there be any computer changes between the two. Would I have to go to a Ford dealership and get a different flash on my 98' cpu, is that even possible> or will my 98' cpu still work the way it is? I am currently running the Edge Evolution on my 98'.

What else would have to be changed or altered to make a 99' 5.4L work in my 98' F150 4X4. I want the truck to be serviceable at a Ford dealer if need be. They tend not to want to work on swaps.

 

It will be a direct swap. No need to change the ECU, and i doubt any ford tech is able to tell the difference from a Non PI and a PI motor.

I would use a junk yard motor that is low miles from a 02-03 F-150. They have 8 threads per spark plug instead of 6.

Honestly if you are the kind of guy that needs to have ford service your vehicle, then are you capeable of actually swaping engines?

 

Yes, I am a former mechanic but some times need the dealership A-techs for some of the high tech computer stuff. So your saying to purchase a junkyard motor. PI heads started in 99' right? So why not 99' through 03', all 260 hp right? Since there's improved power, doesn't that mean the fuel curves are different or would my 98' cpu adjust to the different motor (PI heads) via the sensors to the new fuel and air needs?

 

The engine is Mass air, and the displacement didnt change. So it will compensate by reading differences in your O2. Your ege tuner is going to improve the fuel/timing curves over stock anyways.

I ran my 02 5.4l engine on my 99 4.6l computer for a year before finding a way to get it retuned properly.

The reason i said that you should find a 02-03 motor is for the threads in the spark plugs, they are less likley to have plug blow out issues. But yes the power is the same.

 

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it and would ask a few more questions:

>Were there any head gasket issues with the 02' -03' 5.4L's . If I were to buy a junkyard engine which I hesitate to do... eeek, would I have to change out the head gaskets and intake manifold gaskets to keep from having issues after the install? I would tend to want to do that especially if Ford used an updated head gasket to solve and OE problem with them. I would go with Felpro.

>I thought the increased spark plug threads started in 99' also?

>To throw another tong into the fire, is installing PI heads and intake on an NPI 5.4L worth the trouble. That raises the compression ratio even more right, for even more HP and would I have to run 89 octane gas only then to make it run right? And is there a special head gasket to run with that configuration. If so the higher fuel cost might negate any power increase I may have incurred?

>Finally, will all the 98' 5.4L drive accessories mount in the same position as the 99' -03'' model engines?

In short, I want a the most efficient MPG, HP, and drivable engine I can update to without any hassles own the road. I don't want to be messing with it much, just to daily drive another 184,000+ trouble free miles with all the trouble free benefit I can get. Sorry for all the in-depth question, but there's a lot to think about here. Once it's in, I want it to stay that way for a very long time with regular maintenance.

 

Any head gasket issues where fixed by 2001. There where no manifold gasket issues that i know of, just manifold studs breaking off. Ford offers a SS exhaust stud kit that is easy to install when the engine is outside the truck. Personally if you are buying a used motor, and there is no oil on the outside of the engine, i wouldnt mess with the head gaskets. The ones that are in the motor will be fine.

The thread length was increased in 2002 or 2003, i cant remember.

You could do the PI head on a NPI motor and bump compression, but the word is you will have to run 91 or better fuel. I cant be sure though. Thats just the word.

Drive accesories will bolt up from your 5.4l as the engines are identical. You might have to put a bolt or two in thats missing, but all the holes and boss's should be there.

If you dont go the junk yard route and want to install a new motor, your going to spend a pretty penny for it. I would recomend looking at S/C your current setup. It would be much more cost effective.

 

My 03 still had the 4 thread heads on it from the factory!
It may have been built late in 02.I'm not sure.

 

So if I look for a low milage 03' junkyard engine are there any head or block casting numbers I should look for to identify for sure it's a PI motor with the higher SP thread count in the head casting?

Also, forgive me, but "S/C your current set up" means what?

On more question, what ever happened to the new model year vehicles coming out in July like they always used to? 99's were available in July of 98' and so on. I remember that the first 97' F150's were available in July of 95', that was the first and last time I'd ever seen that move? Traditionally the next years model vehicles were available half way through the preceding year.

If somehow they were still making short threaded SP holes in late 02' Id have to know for sure I was getting the longer thread pattern or I'd have to "Timecert" every SP hole before installing. That would make me comfortable and give me solid piece of mind about the spark plugs not blowing out in the future. I want a trouble free 5.4L !

 

S/C = super charge.

And i wouldn't worry about the spark plugs. I have never had any issues with the blow out.

I think its more from people over tightening them. They are hard to reach and usually require a longer socket wrench to reach them, therefore applying more torque to the plug with the same force being applied by the mechanic. Assuming that they dont toque them. I never have, just always used my head and went by feel.

Regardless, im not sure how you would tell if it has the 8 threads, but on the drivers side of the engine on the cylinder head above the exhaust manifold it will say PI for Performance Improved.

 

Well then, I'll look into 03' junk yard engines with low documented milage and a history if possible. I've had engines rebuilt at several local shops all my life and so far haven't ever had a lasting experience. I'll look more closely into the threads per inch deal and what years they thickened the casting.

Thanks for the info guys!