Engine swap advise
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Engine swap advise
Hello everyone I have a 82 f100 long bed 4.9 auto and I'm wanting to do a engine swap now don't get me wrong the 4.9 is the greatest Ford motor ever built but wanting something that I can go out on a cold morning and turn the key and it starts right up. I don't care about horsepower I want simple easy swap that will modernize my truck and give me better creature comforts
i was thinking efi 5.0 or explorer 5.0
Lm 5.3 or 6.0
Hell if I could find a efi 4.9
I guess my question is what's the easiest fuel injection motor swap for this truck?
i was thinking efi 5.0 or explorer 5.0
Lm 5.3 or 6.0
Hell if I could find a efi 4.9
I guess my question is what's the easiest fuel injection motor swap for this truck?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 509
From: Edmond, OK
My mother-in-law had an OBS 
with the 4.9l straight six. It was a good truck.
Why swap the engine when you already mentioned that you don't care about HP? Your easiest route is to find a truck in the salvage yard with factory EFI and a 4.9l. Take the EFI parts off of it and install them on your truck. You also might consider an aftermarket EFI swap like Holley Sniper or FAST EFI. That way you don't have to worry about the emissions system (depending on where you live).
with the 4.9l straight six. It was a good truck.Why swap the engine when you already mentioned that you don't care about HP? Your easiest route is to find a truck in the salvage yard with factory EFI and a 4.9l. Take the EFI parts off of it and install them on your truck. You also might consider an aftermarket EFI swap like Holley Sniper or FAST EFI. That way you don't have to worry about the emissions system (depending on where you live).
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
Likes: 2,733
From: Virginia
Do you like wires and wiring diagrams? That is going to be a lot of work installing a factory efi engine of any kind in a truck that didn't come with it. They have aftermarket efi now with throttle bodies. But it's not cheap.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 217
From: Northern VA
1987-1996 4.9 are EFI. Easiest way to get EFI is to buy Holley's EFI sniper kit and an Offenhauser intake.
Next easiest way to EFI is to rob the throttle body, wire harness, and computer off a 1980s/1990s GM 4.3 engine. Then graft it onto your existing engine with a Offenhauser intake and a few other gizmos. There's a good thread on this here.
Third easiest way is to swap a 87-96 Ford 4.9 EFI parts onto your existing block.
Might be easier actually to just swap in a 4.9 EFI longblock.
Hardest would be 5.0 swap.
Also, I had a carb'd 4.9 that was great in the winter. If you set the choke properly and the engine is tuned up there is no problem.
Next easiest way to EFI is to rob the throttle body, wire harness, and computer off a 1980s/1990s GM 4.3 engine. Then graft it onto your existing engine with a Offenhauser intake and a few other gizmos. There's a good thread on this here.
Third easiest way is to swap a 87-96 Ford 4.9 EFI parts onto your existing block.
Might be easier actually to just swap in a 4.9 EFI longblock.
Hardest would be 5.0 swap.
Also, I had a carb'd 4.9 that was great in the winter. If you set the choke properly and the engine is tuned up there is no problem.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 16
From: Caraway, AR
1987-1996 4.9 are EFI. Easiest way to get EFI is to buy Holley's EFI sniper kit and an Offenhauser intake.
Next easiest way to EFI is to rob the throttle body, wire harness, and computer off a 1980s/1990s GM 4.3 engine. Then graft it onto your existing engine with a Offenhauser intake and a few other gizmos. There's a good thread on this here.
Third easiest way is to swap a 87-96 Ford 4.9 EFI parts onto your existing block.
Might be easier actually to just swap in a 4.9 EFI longblock.
Hardest would be 5.0 swap.
Also, I had a carb'd 4.9 that was great in the winter. If you set the choke properly and the engine is tuned up there is no problem.
Next easiest way to EFI is to rob the throttle body, wire harness, and computer off a 1980s/1990s GM 4.3 engine. Then graft it onto your existing engine with a Offenhauser intake and a few other gizmos. There's a good thread on this here.
Third easiest way is to swap a 87-96 Ford 4.9 EFI parts onto your existing block.
Might be easier actually to just swap in a 4.9 EFI longblock.
Hardest would be 5.0 swap.
Also, I had a carb'd 4.9 that was great in the winter. If you set the choke properly and the engine is tuned up there is no problem.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 509
From: Edmond, OK
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 217
From: Northern VA
Cross-posting this from another post. Usually when I do this they start no matter the weather.
Whenever I get a new (old) vehicle I always replace the following unless I know they're good:
1. Change oil + filter
2. Change air filter + PCV breather element filter
3. Change fuel filter
4. Replace and gap spark plugs
5. Replace spark plug wires
6. Replace distributor cap + rotor
7. Replace PCV valve
8. Pour bottle of injector cleaner in fuel tank
9. Replace crusty vacuum lines.
10. Rebuild carb
11. Tune carburetor, choke, and check timing
All this done at home would only cost about $100 and a weekend. usually they run like new after!
If you've already done these, then disregard.
Whenever I get a new (old) vehicle I always replace the following unless I know they're good:
1. Change oil + filter
2. Change air filter + PCV breather element filter
3. Change fuel filter
4. Replace and gap spark plugs
5. Replace spark plug wires
6. Replace distributor cap + rotor
7. Replace PCV valve
8. Pour bottle of injector cleaner in fuel tank
9. Replace crusty vacuum lines.
10. Rebuild carb
11. Tune carburetor, choke, and check timing
All this done at home would only cost about $100 and a weekend. usually they run like new after!
If you've already done these, then disregard.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
1987-1996 4.9 are EFI. Easiest way to get EFI is to buy Holley's EFI sniper kit and an Offenhauser intake.
Next easiest way to EFI is to rob the throttle body, wire harness, and computer off a 1980s/1990s GM 4.3 engine. Then graft it onto your existing engine with a Offenhauser intake and a few other gizmos. There's a good thread on this here.
Third easiest way is to swap a 87-96 Ford 4.9 EFI parts onto your existing block.
Might be easier actually to just swap in a 4.9 EFI longblock.
Hardest would be 5.0 swap.
Also, I had a carb'd 4.9 that was great in the winter. If you set the choke properly and the engine is tuned up there is no problem.
Next easiest way to EFI is to rob the throttle body, wire harness, and computer off a 1980s/1990s GM 4.3 engine. Then graft it onto your existing engine with a Offenhauser intake and a few other gizmos. There's a good thread on this here.
Third easiest way is to swap a 87-96 Ford 4.9 EFI parts onto your existing block.
Might be easier actually to just swap in a 4.9 EFI longblock.
Hardest would be 5.0 swap.
Also, I had a carb'd 4.9 that was great in the winter. If you set the choke properly and the engine is tuned up there is no problem.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
I have a e-150 with a efi engine I am thinking about making the swap with. I'm also putting after market gauges in and putting my electrical sub systems on their own loop with an aux battery so im not sure how hard this swap would actually be if all of the harness is basically... on the engine/trans. But I have no idea. The other option im going with is an after market EFI system and taking the E4OD out of my E-150 and putting it in the F-150.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
Likes: 2,733
From: Virginia
I haven't messed with the inline sixes much. But I have messed with the standard and efi 302's, and they are mostly the same, nothing prevents someone from changing a efi block to a carb on those engines. The six should be the same, a aftermarket fuel pump would cure the fuel pump issue. I don't know if the six is simply a block off plate or if it's cast differently. And you would have to check to see if the efi camshaft still had the lobe to run the fuel pump. It would not surprise me that it did, even though it would have never been used except with a mechanical fuel pump.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 217
From: Northern VA
Franklin said it. I hear you can actually chisel out the casting on an EFI block and the cab lobe is already there. Same in reverse, just use inline fuel pump. Although, the EFI head I believe if higher compression or flows a little better.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,369
Likes: 16
From: Caraway, AR
Yes, the boss is already on the block, where the fuel pump goes. Not sure if the bolt holes are there already or not. I have a late model block that the fuel pump opening was milled in. Looks like the top and bottom were drilled out and between the drill holes was milled with a smaller sized end mill. Could have been drill and cut with a saw actually.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1981 convert
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Feb 9, 2016 08:52 AM