Engine swap??
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Engine swap??
I have a 98 F150 with a 4.6. It has 215,000 miles on it. I use my truck for work and drive tons of miles each day. It has developed a tapping noise under the valve cover when I first start it. Im worried I may not be able to rely on it for the long term. I was looking for some feedback on this problem and was also thinking about swapping to the 5.4. Would it be worth the trouble? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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I put in "Ford 5.4 rebuilt" in a google search and the first thing up was:
http://www.nationalcylinderhead.com/...ne.catalog.asp
Scroll down and find 4.6s and 5.4s.
The easiest is to replace the 4.6, obviously.
If you go 5.4, you will have other issues to deal with in the way of transmission, engine controller, accessories and others, possibly. I've never laid eyes on your year truck with these engines, but I can't imagine you can swap a 5.4 for a 4.6 without other things being different, given the deck height differences etc.
Also, how do you do smog checks in your area? Usually, you have to bring it up to the specs of the engine if it's newer, or keep the specs of the vehicle if it's newer.
The other thing to do is pronto have that knock checked, fixed, and trade it off. At 215,000, you may be headed for more down time than you like with axles, bearings, wiring, etc, all the little stuff that jiggles and wears out over time.
Good luck.
http://www.nationalcylinderhead.com/...ne.catalog.asp
Scroll down and find 4.6s and 5.4s.
The easiest is to replace the 4.6, obviously.
If you go 5.4, you will have other issues to deal with in the way of transmission, engine controller, accessories and others, possibly. I've never laid eyes on your year truck with these engines, but I can't imagine you can swap a 5.4 for a 4.6 without other things being different, given the deck height differences etc.
Also, how do you do smog checks in your area? Usually, you have to bring it up to the specs of the engine if it's newer, or keep the specs of the vehicle if it's newer.
The other thing to do is pronto have that knock checked, fixed, and trade it off. At 215,000, you may be headed for more down time than you like with axles, bearings, wiring, etc, all the little stuff that jiggles and wears out over time.
Good luck.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Could be a weak lash adjuster (lifter) or something of that nature. Do you use a Motorcraft oil filter? If not, you should. Other brands can let oil drain back into the pan, then you have not pressure for a second at start-up which can also make the lash adjusters tick.
I have also seen broken exhaust manifold studs that cause an exhaust leak when cold that sounds just like a tick. Then they heat up and expand and reseal.
I have also seen broken exhaust manifold studs that cause an exhaust leak when cold that sounds just like a tick. Then they heat up and expand and reseal.
