My truck is a '98 F150, with the 4.6 V8 and auto trans. I have had 168,000 trouble free miles. Driving back to our home (Louisiana) from Tampa, Fl., she just started to run bad. I thought I had picked up a load of bad gas. After filling up again, the truck was running worse, so we found a Ford Dealer and pulled in. I asked them if they would plug their reader in and tell me what was wrong. The Mechanic said I needed new plugs and wires, for $476.00. I said ok (after fainting) I had about 70,000 miles since I had changed the plugs and wires. After he changed everything the truck ran as bad as before. After really trouble shooting it, he found a stuck valve on number two. I asked if it was intake or exhaust, and the service writer said he didn't know. I decided to drive it home (about 500 miles) I did stop and add Marvel Mystery Oil to both the gas and oil. (no improvement, perhaps an exhaust valve).

OK now to the question. Are there any engines besides the 4.6 V8 that will fit right in, same harness, comuter compatability??? Where can I buy a high quality reman or new engine to replace this one? Should I just take the heads off and do the valves, and leave the bottom half alone? Money is of course an issue, but having a 100% reliable ride is more of a concern.

Thanks in advance for your comments, Rotorman.

 

I think you would be better off to find out what exactly is wrong before buying another engine. Do you hear any popping noise, is it a miss?

 

Thanks for the reply. The engine is missing and running rough, with a good bit of vibration. Compression test on number 2, reads 107 to 120 perhaps ten or twelve times in a row, then reads 50 for several "cranks", therefore the diagnosis of a "stuck valve". I use this truck for all the normal "truck things" but it's main job is to take me to work and back. I drive 122 miles each way, and drive it late at night or early in the morning, through the bayous and swamps of coastal Louisiana. The road is two lane, with little or no way to pull off for a break down. And of course you can't walk for help cause you stand good chance of being eaten by a 'gator.

I can buy a Ford Factory Reman from the dealer here for abou $3700.00. My truck is in good shape and I would like to keep it (also it is "worthless as a trade"). Thanks, Rotorman

 

you might consider buying a used engine from a recent wrecked truck.....the problem with just doing a upper end it that the lower end will decide to go out afterwards... so either long block it using the old compnents{sensors ,injectors and such} or a complete used engine with low mileage.. ive got 370,000 out of my last truck doing that.....IMO

 

Thanks, the lower end was why I resisted just yanking the heads and doing a valve and guide job. Sure would like to put a Lightin' engine in it!! Thanks again, Rotorman

 

I just replaced the 4.6 in my 97 with a remanufactured 4.6. I got it from Roadmaster in Texas and it ended being around $1700 with shipping. That was the best price I could find. I got the local Ford dealer down to $2900 but that is still way too much for a reman engine. I am happy so far. I couldn't find anything from a junk yard with less then 100,000 miles. If you search the engine form you find out about swapping in a different engine and what it will take.

 

Thanks for the info on Roadmaster, I will look them up on the web. The price sure sounds right!! Rotorman.