Hmmm. I am hearing what I was hoping. What would be a fair offer for the 07 engine mentioned above. They are asking 1500, but it still seems to be available after 2-3 weeks. Kind of a pig in a poke not knowing when it last ran. Truck was in an accident, but dont know more at this point.

So you are implying that the T-bird 3.8L may not be a bad fit for the 56 F100? I am not seeking a truck ride here, but am heading toward a comfortable ride to tow a small camping trailer and do some road trips. When I say small camping trailer, there is currently some difference in interpretation with my expected passenger...

If I go for the 2007 4.6L, I would need to get the tranny (500) from the seller to make the swap complete with the 56 project truck. But the 3.8L is currently sitting there with a known blown head gasket, so repairs have to happen upfront and I still dont know what other issues may be present. At least with my current 4.6L I would know what I have...

I think my decision is solidifying. (BTW, I am quite accustomed to using 92 octane as I run my super chip on performance setting. However, so far I am getting better gas mileage than most F150s I think - 18/22. However, If I do the TF heads, I am sure I would have a harder time keeping my foot out of it. But if I can get back to 87, I would be interested. I will look at the TF data again and see whats available.

Thanks for the sharing of your knowledge base!

John L.

 

That 3.8L would be a nice fit on the '56-there are MANY parts out there for the 3.8L's(esp the SC's)-and when good headgaskets are installed-those engines are pretty decent, and make good power/torque.
That's all up to you-either way will require fabrication and a bit creativity, but if you're working on a '56 model-you should be accustomed to that kind of stuff.
JL

 

Wow, you guys are giving me a headache...lol
Just for simplicity,
why not put a Lightning 5.4 it the truck and use your 4.6 in the 56?

 

Yeah, now we're talkin'.

One thing that lingers in the background is the fact that this is a "work truck". I have had this one since buying it 6 years ago via the internet out of NC when it only had 20K miles on it. It was the only one I could find at the time that had all the options I wanted and the first decent truck my business was able to support. Well, 100K miles later, I kind of like the thing. So recently, I told my partner (er, business type), "you go ahead and get a new truck, I am going to just keep mine and "upgrade" it a little. Heh heh. Well, my wife knew exactly what that meant. (I started last week by getting a more modern Cervini hood...get the idea?) But I really think a Lightnin engine with SC might be pushing the envelope. I'm thinking the newer engine makes perfect sense, and the TF heads make a good "valve job" subsitute. And besides, there is something about squeezing as much as you can out of a 2V NA engine.

Er, could a low mileage Lightnin engine be had for $1500?

Just kidding, I think...

John L.

 

No, you wont find one that cheep.
I paid that much just for the intake assembly with the supercharger on it.

But you cant even buy the Trick-flow heads for 1500 can you?

 

No, that was the price for the 2007 4.6L with the improved intake and 35K miles. Is that the going rate? Have no idea.

The TF heads are min. $2000, but you can get the whole top end kit preassembled, and also a mild cam for right around $3000, so some value there. Seems like a good alternative to a valve job, right? And for sure cheaper than a new truck...

I see there are 38mm chambers and 44mm chambers available. Is this what you were talking about Johnny, concerning CR options? The 38mm will develop 10:1 CR on the PI blocks, while the 44 does the same on the NPI block. Now wondering what the 44 would do on the PI block.

If I went without the cam, would I need to upgrade injectors, or does that get determined at final tune?

Thanks,
John L.

 

I know you keep saying you want to stay with the 4.6,and that's probably a good price for a motor with 35K on it.
But at some point,you have to ask your self if it's really the best option if your going for good torque and zip in your truck.
At that point,you'll have 4500. in the 4.6 and still be making less power then a 5.4 Lightning motor running stock boost. And I'm sure you can find one for 4500.!
And the Lightning motor is very reliable in stock trim.
You already have a beefed up tranny that would work fine with it.
Just sayin.

 

I'm listenin' Phil. In fact I started looking at that option but thought there would be PCM issues, exhaust fit up, etc, etc. At least with the 4.6L it would allow me to use some of the mods I already have without revisiting them.

But, yeah. After doing more research, I also question the value. With what I have laready done to the stock 03 engine with "bolt-ons", and having about the lightest bodied version of the F150, I think it is alot snappier than where I started. I also don't especially like the prospect of buying that 07 which probably hasnt run for awhile and who knows what the accident may have jarred loose. And just to get the improved intake???

So, if I am getting it simply for the intake, I may go to the Ford dealer and see if I can buy the 07 intake for my present truck. Dont know if it will be worth it, but probably less than another engine. I would then port and polish the intake elbow, match up the existing BBK TB and have it breathing right. Next perhaps the base line Trickflow heads which dyno tests say add 70 HP without the cams. That would help reduce overall cost, and I think I could actually be happy with that much improvement.

In the intake dept. I am also going to try to adapt the stock intake to the new ram hood I am getting to help induce cold air. That will be a challenge, but I have fiberglass and sheetmetal fabrication skills, so should be a fun, cheap adder.

Thanks for helping me plan this out fellows. Always half the fun in learning new things which this excercise has certainly produced.

Note to Johnny - where is the best place to get T-bird SC parts concerning the head gasket repair? Also need the head bolts, correct?

Thanks,

John L.

 

This may be a lot cheaper then buying it from Ford.
2007 ford 4.6 intake-manifold | eBay

 

Hiya! I am all over it.

Thanks Phil.

John L.

Just did a cross reference on their parts and cant locate one for the F150 4.6. I may need to get the Ford factory part number. JCL

 

Found this so called manifold spacer which they are calling a factory part. Is this what they are doing to gain flow? Not much info out there. Anyone have a 2007 shop manual with pic?

Motorcraft Intake Manifold Spacer

I may have to go look at that 4.6L that is for sale and take some pics...

 

That's for the 3V engine, not the 2V.
JL

 

So do you think the 4.6L intake for 2007 is available online, or just at the Ford dealer?

 

Dunno, never have had a need to research it.
JL

 

Wow, breaking new ground here. I guess our discussion is hitting real paydirt or a real dead end, not sure which...

I will go to the Ford dealer tomorrow.

John L.