I read somewhere on this site the somewhere that you can tell if you have a Romeo or Windsor engine by counting the bolts on the valve covers, but for the life of me, can't find where I read that... Can anyone shed light on this for me? Is this the only way to tell, or can you find this out somehow in your VIN?

 

The eighth position of your VIN will identify:

W = 4.6L (Romeo)
6 = 4.6L (Windsor)

I know it looks backwards but, that's the way it is.

1999 F150 4x2 Lariat RegCab Shortbed
5.4L 3.55LS Tow pkg

 

Educate me please!
I've been working on the 4.6L engines since 1991 and this is the first time I've heard of the "Romeo" engine.
It's a modular engine, right?
Anything different or special about it?

 

I believe Romeo and Windsor refer to the two plants that make the engine. The difference between the two is once an owner figures out which one he has, he's convinced it's vastly superior to the other one, whichever that may be.

1999 F150 4x2 Lariat RegCab Shortbed
5.4L 3.55LS Tow pkg

 

Yeah, that's pretty much it There should be absolutely no difference between them. And you are pretty much right on about the owner thing... It was no different than the windsors, and the clevelands.... In my pre-ford days, I had friends that would have a cow if you talked about their cars, and didnt mention that the 351 that was in it was a CLEVELAND... Like it makes a rats ##### difference

 

Not to butt in, but being there were 3 different 351 motors, the windsor, cleveland, and Modified Cleveland, it has made points that differences are noticeable. The cleveland was the hipo, the modified was the "bigblock" and the windsor was the smallblock.

 

Thanks for the info. I didn't know there were different plants building the 4.6L engine. (a mighty fine engine!)

I didn't see where anyone addressed "markmac"s question about the differences in valve cover bolts between the Romeo and Windsors. Doesn't seem likely, since all parts should interchange between the 2 engines.

Do these plants make the 5.4L engines too? The 8th digit of the VIN on my 2000 5.4L is "L" .... the final assembly plant for my truck was Lorain .... reckon that's what the "L" stands for?

 

Thanks for clarifying that Pastmaster... As I said, that was in my "pre-ford" years

 

I know, I'm just giving you a hard time...

 

The romeo 4.6 has 11 valve cover bolts. The windsor 4.6 has 13 bolts in the valve cover. I have also read that there are differences in the connecting rods and wristpins. The windsor rods being a little beefier.

 

VanMan, I'll educate you, you educate me.

L = 5.4L all of them are made in Windsor
(should be a Windsor sticker on the engine w/ the build date.)

The eleventh VIN position indicates assembly plant.
Mine is 'N' for Norfolk VA.

Where was your van assembled (Lorian,state?) and what's the code for it?

1999 F150 4x2 Lariat RegCab Shortbed
5.4L 3.55LS Tow pkg

 

Raoul, thanks for that bit of information. I recently parked my old Windor 351 and replaced it with a new 5.4L powered van.... interesting to know that it's also a Windsor.

The 11th digit of the VIN is H... final assembly plant is listed as Lorain, Ohio.

I love my NEW Windsor, but I still think my OLD Windsor had more pulling power in the mountains.... but the way it sucked-up the fuel, I often thought that there must be a hole in the fas tank!