ahmad

HI All: I have a 97F150 v6 can it be converted to an ecoboost 3.5 twin turbo?
This little cheep v6 is no good I need to replace the engine again. The truck came with a motor in less than 3 years Ford replaced the motor, I had to rebuild that motor and now it needs another motor. I like the truck but I hate this motor. Thanks.

STX4x405

An ecoboost is a 3.5, the 3.7 is the v6 that took the 4.2's place, I'm just pointing that out, not trying to be mean!!!

BassAckwards

It would probably be cheaper and easier to just go buy a base XL with the Ecoboost.

How many miles does your truck have and is it 4x4 or 4x2?

ahmad

OK was not sure about the numbers for the engines. I have 124,000 miles on a 97 f150 v6 4x2 6.5 bed XLT super cab. I made the mistake of being one of the first to buy in Aug. of 1996. Ford had a recall on the truck with in something like 3 weeks, for the engine. Less than 3 years latter Ford replaced the engine good thing I had the 3 year ext. warranty. The dealer keep my truck for 3 weeks and would not fix it, gave me every kind of excuse. Before the first warranty ran out I paid for the ext. warranty. What other motor can I use for this truck? After my ext. warranty ran out Ford kiss my @#$%^ good-by!

BassAckwards

Well you could drop in any of the 04-08 model year engines, and you could drop the Ecoboost engine (If you REEEEAAAALLLY want to), but the problem begins to come in like, well now I need to upgrade my 8.8 axle to the 9.75 because the 5.4 is to much for it, now I need a new driveshaft, now I need a new tranny, Oh yeah I'll have to buy a complete wiring harness for the 5.4 (could be ~1G easily).

All these things start to pop up, and it quickly becomes clear that unless your going to replace it with the motor that came with it from the factory you would be better off just spending the money on an 04-08 with less miles, a fully boxed frame, coil over suspension on the 4wd's, bigger brakes, nicer interior, more power etc. etc.

See where I'm going with this? Unless you just have a strong sentimental attachment to the truck, either drop a new 4.2 in it, or put that money towards a slightly newer truck. I would reccomend an 06 or newer if it's in your budget.

ahmad

I never said I wanted the 5.4. If I wanted to go with the v8 maybe a mustang 302/5.0.
I just wanted something other than the little v6. Once you brake one of these engines down the block looks like something for a go-cart. Thanks,Ali

BassAckwards

I didn't mean you had to get the 5.4. I was just using that as an example and showing how you spent all this money swapping in a different engine and suddenly other parts start needing to be replaced and it cascades. Good luck with whatever you choose!

bobkyle2

Stay away from 97 and some 98 4.2s.... The rest are golden... I have a 02 and a 08 4.2 .... 165k on the 02.. And 76k on the 08.... I've never had 1 engine problem....

ahmad

Hi Bass: Yes I know what you mean! You know about lemon vehicles well mine was/is
THE lemon/lime. Under the warranty they did the rear the front end, engine and all of the other recalls. Hi Bob: I guess if I use a newer model engine I would still use my OEM upper & lower intake? When Ford did the first recall they said we had to remove the intake, after the engine went they said silicone from the intake was in the oil pump. I would love to change the rear so as to have rear disc brakes. I guess it's about time to do the trans also as that is the only thing that held up so far.

ahmad

Hi BassAckward: There's a junk yard near me with an 08 v6 with 32,00 miles it may still be there you said this would work for me? What would I need to change to make it work?
Thanks,