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Old Aug 1, 2009 | 08:50 PM
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swap or rebuild

I have a tired 1998 F-150 4.6 VB with about 200k on her. She is useing oil but, no smoke. Don't know whether to rebuild engine (rings and valve guides) or swap for a junk yard newer engine and does that also mean all the electronics to go with it. I am sure this must be a common dilema.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2009 | 07:52 AM
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How much oil is the truck using? Ford specs is a quart every thousand miles or so.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2009 | 08:56 AM
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The thing to ask yourself is; Do you want to work with an engine you know, or one you have no idea what may have happened to it? If you end up getting a junk yard engine that was in the condition of my daughter's engine a week ago, you have a big problem ahead.
My opinion is that you rebuild yours. Hone it out, put in new rings, change all the bearings, timing chain guides and tensioner, etc. Then you'll have a new engine ready for another 200K.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2009 | 05:55 PM
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The only reason I ask how much oil it's burning because if it falls into spec and there aren't any noises that are unordinary coming from it then I would wait to do the swap or rebuild.

I think the better way to go is the rebuild that way you don't have to worry about wiring or bolt up issues, although with the same engine there aren't none, you know what you're putting into it and you know what is wrong with the engine you have where a junk yard motor could have unseen damage.

Really when people swap a motor they do it for power gain, like 4.2 to 4.6, 4.6 to 5.4, or 5.4 2v to a 5.4 3v or 4v motor, or 5.4 2v to a 5.4 lightning or harley davidson motor. although people swap 4.6 to 4.6 a rebuild here will be in your best interests.
 
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Old Aug 2, 2009 | 09:32 PM
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let it be. you'd be a fool to tear into that engine. Its tired let it live its life. New rings won't fix an oval'd cylinder wear pattern from 200k miles. Not to mention the head work that would go along with probably new valves, springs, seals, pistons, valve guides, timing chain, gaskets, rings, bearings, bolts, etc..Its not worth your time or money. If you don't like putting oil in, then sell it or trade it in. You will get it apart and want to fix everything else you find wrong with it (which will be just about everything in a wore out engine). basically you don't justify an engine rebuild off of the fact that it uses some oil at 200,000 miles.

Time for a new truck...
 
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Old Aug 2, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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exactly the point i was making in the point in it burning oil is something that can be defined as normal to a certain point.

go till she blows!
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 12:23 AM
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Try replacing the pcv valve and see what happens. RUN HER TILL SHE DIES!!!
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 08:10 PM
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98 f150 to 02 e150

I'am in real trouble and no one seems to be able to give me a straight answer. Have a 2002 E 150 4.6l cargo van vin #1FTRE14W12HA19691 it locked up. Friend gave me a motor from a 98 f 150 truck vin # 1FTZX18W6WKB28211. Ford and the vin decoders say that they are Romeo-built. I have 98 down to the block,(heads, timmingchains, and oilpump out) to replace-repair all and the headgaskets. Now I hear that the motor might not even work with the computer in the van.All the sensors appear to be in the same areas can some one help me before I get in to a deeper in the hole? Please
chevyvanman@peoplepc.com
 
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Old Aug 4, 2009 | 09:29 PM
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Might have switched to a CAN bus system by 2002.... not sure, but I think you are going to have to do some research...... might be the same PROM part number with different software loaded..
 
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 11:22 AM
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rebuild no go

Well, thanks for all the advice. I just took the timing chain cover and the oil pan off the 02 romeo v8 chains and gears eat everything down to the hydrolic tensioners and the block & oil pickup tube are full of you guessed it metal shavings. So I guess my new question is can I just short block,(change the top end except the heads)from the 98 romeo v8 into the 02 e150 van? Basicly did the change anything in the block it's self to prevent a swap? The 98 had low miles 1 owner an older couple.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 11:25 AM
  #11  
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Well, thanks for all the advice. I just took the timing chain cover and the oil pan off the 02 romeo v8 chains and gears eat everything down to the hydrolic tensioners and the block & oil pickup tube are full of you guessed it metal shavings. So I guess my new question is can I just short block,(change the top end except the heads)from the 98 romeo v8 into the 02 e150 van? Basicly did the change anything in the block it's self to prevent a swap? The 98 had low miles 1 owner an older couple.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 12:10 AM
  #12  
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Sorry to be of no help to ya chevyvanman but i do believe that the motors are the same the only thing that was different was the intakes, i could be wrong but i just wanted to get this thread back on top, maybe someone else who knows for sure will read it.
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 06:20 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by chevyvanman
So I guess my new question is can I just short block,(change the top end except the heads)from the 98 romeo v8 into the 02 e150 van?
Yes, you can use the block,heads from the 98. Put the intake manifold and anything else that may be different on from the 02!
 
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 08:09 AM
  #14  
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swap 98-02

thanks for the info guys. I've got to get this thing back on the road asap to make up the money in it now.
 
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