Hi there. I'm dropping a 1997 4.6l into a 1999 f150 that had a wrecked 4.6L, i was just about to put the intake on and noticed that the knock sensor is different with a different plug, they are both 2 wire plugs, 1 of them is a white and black wire, and the other is a black and black/yellow stripe wire, can i cut the one and attach it to the other or is the sensor totally different? can i not use this engine due to this difference? i'm using the harness that was originally on the 99 so it can keep the PATS system. Any other problems that i might run into that anyone knows? thanks for your Help

 

Use the '99 sensor if it will reach the hole in the '97.

 

the problem is the 97 engine has a 12mm hole that the sensor screws into, and the 99 engine sensor is a 8 mm hole that uses a small bolt to hold it down. so would it work just to wire the new style plug on the old sensor? or would it work not to hook it up at all? thanks

 

Just a FYI, the knock sensor is a factory designed/tuned crystal device per the motor and mounting method, and likely uses a sleightly different program parameter applied.
May not make much difference but be awhere there are differences.
It responds to a noise within the design range and outputs a voltage to the PCM when knock is detected so ignition timing is pulled back..
Reason this comes about is the sensor picks up the block ringing caused by a knocking cylinder/s. The sensor is tuned to respond to the block ringing so it does not pick up other noises of other frequencies and retard ignition timing needlessly.
Hence the different mounting means so it cannot be used on the wrong motor by mistake.
Good luck.