So I scored a 2001 5.4 4x4 expedition for $300!!!!
i knew up front it's not running. I got it at an online auction
and as of yet, i havent' any clues of why it doesnt' start,
other than it doesnt' start with a jump. I'm hoping it
is something minor but for that price, i can't lose. It looks
like i'll be picking it up within the next 2 days.

Anyway, I have a 2005–2006 5.4 Liter (330 cu in) 24-valve SOHC VCT Triton V-8 engine with 70 thousand miles on it. I also have the ECU. If the 01 motor is shot, will the 06 motor drop right in? as in bolt up and work just as well
if it was an 01 without the 24v.

A local shop quoted me $1200 to do a motor swap for an 03, but that
was based on it being another 03 dropped in. I'm hesitant to go back to him becasue last time he did some extra work i didnt' ask for. So I guess i'll bring it home first and see if it's something simple..

but i mainly wanted to ask, would that motor work out? I also got an 07 durango for about 1/4 of blue book value, but I think i might prefer to keep the expedition, especially if i've got a motor with 70k on it, in it.

Thoughts? TIA!

 

Don't lose sleep over it for now, and don't waste brain power wondering if the engine swap will work (I'm pretty sure it won't anyways). When you get your hands on the truck, first thing you do is scan it for trouble codes. The codes could tell you exactly what's wrong and it could be something fairly simple and cheap.

 

Thanks I appreciate your response. You've got some valid points. Still it would give me a warm feeling inside to know I have a spare motor. ha ha.


What makes you think the motor swap wont work? I need to know the why's myself. I was thinking the wiring harnesses are probably different for one thing.

 

For questions of compatibility I go to: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market and enter the vehicle and part information. You'll get a list of junkyards that have the part, plus it will include alternate years that fit. I ran the engine for both 2001 and 2005 and in both searches the compatibility was only like +/- a year or two.

 

I spent a good deal of time looking into motor swaps for my '97 when it spun a main bearing. To go from a 2V to a 3V engine is tough. But I've seen projects that installed a detroit diesel into one of these trucks! So anything will work given the money and time. However, I wouldn't recommend it as a good solution. You can buy rebuilt engine for $1,500-$2,500 that will drop in relatively easy. The 3V engine is a better, much more responsive engine and will likely bring what you pay for the rebuilt 2V if you sell it.

I ended up having my engine rebuilt and reinstalled. That cost more than it should have.

If it won't start, there are a multitude of issues. You'll have to get your hands on it. Scanning the codes is a good place to start, but may not tell you anything. Second see if it turns over smoothly with the starter. Then check for the essentials of power- air, fuel and fire.
1. Air- these engines use an idle solenoid to set the idle speed. The throttle is completely closed. A failed idle solenoid may prevent any air from getting into the engine for starting
2. Fuel - When you turn the key on, you should have fuel pressure at the fuel manifolds. A failed pump in the tank, a clogged filter in line, or even no gas can all prevent that.
3. Fire - with the coil-on-plug system, the spark is generated right at the spark plug. It depends on the computer to control it. You can check the input lines to the coils with a multimeter to see if they are getting the power needed to generate a spark. You can pull a coil off of a plug and see if it sparks to a ground as you turn over the engine.

But if all that fails or reveals major powerplant problems, you can fall back on the option of installing a rebuilt engine for around $2K, done by a shop, sell your golden 3V engine to make up the difference. OR, bite the bullet and find someone to do the project of adapting the 3V engine into your 2001 for the fun of it! But it won't be cost effective.
welbo97

 

Thank you for such a great response!

I've had my 3V on ebay for a good while, lowest is saw was $2500 so
i priced mine slightly under buy it now or B/O. A couple of people offered
15, i declined, i accepted a coule of 18 offers and both were deadbeats.

Is that $2000 including the motor? Because that seems pretty darn good,
when being quoted $1200 for labor.

 

Well the expedition is here. Only got one key, so i hope it's not chipped.
First impression is that it's been sitting a while. The guy at the place i got it from
said the engine turns over, and it could be anything maybe a fuel pump, the most they
do is put a charge on it. Battery is dead, so tomorrow i put in a battery and go from
there. I've already ruled out the 3v engine swap.

Appreciate you' guys' help! I'll keep you updated.

 

also a local guy is selling a 00 for $1000 so i'm guessing it doesnt' have a title or something. I don't have $1000 so best case scenario i offer him a trade LOL (maybe my old subaru) but I'm not going to assume the motor is shot. I'm getting ahead of myself. I don't have the space to park/store another vehicle anyway.. not without making the wife disappear anyway..

 

Battery in, cranks nice and fast, no start. Spray some starting
fluid in, it catches and runs out quickly. I don't hear
the fuel pump at all, So i'm about to check fuses,
and fusible links if any.

 

Do these have ASD relays? if so location?

 

If you have fuel pressure then the PATS could be turning off the injectors if your key code was erased due to the battery being dead for a long time.

 

found ASD, it's not triggered. Fuse in position 10 good. Relay swapped out with wiper delay relay and it works so it seems it's good.. On to the fuel pump i guess.

 

Hmm I was wondering that.. but i'm not hearing the pump. I should be able to hear it from the driver seat right? I should pull the fuse for the chime lol

 

plugged up my obii bluetooth connector but it seem to get power

 

I think the red security light was normal though.. comes on steady for maybe 5 to 15 seconds, goes out.. not blinking rapidly or flashing.