2001 4.6L motor in 97 truck?? - Ford F150 Forum

97green4x4 · 11-20-2009, 12:46 PM

Good day all,

I searched but could not find the answer to this question, so I'm just gonna ask. I have a 97 F150 4x4... Yep, green as my username states... I got it with a bad crank... The number 8 cylinder bearings are in pieces in the oil pan and the owner must have driven it like that for some time... So the block is toast, more or less... I found a 2001 motor, complete, intake to pan and wiring... Can I drop that in my 97, and make it work with a few wiring mods and such? Anyone done this? Maybe have a small or detailed write-up?

Thanks much all!!

Cheers!!

Cain · 11-20-2009, 02:36 PM

The manuals they sell are for 1997 - 2003

should be the same i think

Cain · 11-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cain

The manuals they sell are for 1997 - 2003

should be the same i think

I could be wrong.. Might be 1997 - 2001 but still in the same category as I stated before..

97green4x4 · 11-21-2009, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cain

I could be wrong.. Might be 1997 - 2001 but still in the same category as I stated before..

Thanks much... I know the block will work, but I'm wondering if there are any small things that I may run into that will keep it from working if I just drop it in, hook up the wiring (with some mods for the COP's), and having it run as it should. Will the PI heads still work with my original computer? Do you think I should swap out my MAFS for one from a 2001? That kinda stuff...

Anyone done this before?

Thanks again!!

Cheers!!

ONELOWF · 11-21-2009, 10:10 AM

The PI heads will have no effect on how she runs. Use the maf that was on the truck originally and all else should match up.
This should be an easy swap. If the belt routing for accessories won't work?? you may need to swap timing chain covers, but I doubt that you will need to.

97green4x4 · 02-16-2010, 01:46 PM

Good day all,

I have been putting this off because I didn't have all the parts until just recently... I have the wiring from the 01 motor and I compared them to the 97 motor wiring... There are a few locations where I will have to mod the wiring, but my main concern is the differences in the pin-out for the computers... Has anyone put a PI motor in a non-PI truck (other than just swapping the heads)? I'm using the whole PI motor cause the stock motor was shot... I'm guessing I will use the 01 wiring harness because of the COP's... Will the 97 computer work the COP's or will I have to keep the coil packs and the 97 wiring harness? I would prefer to keep the COP's...

Thanks all!!

CHEERS!!

SeanT4x4 · 02-16-2010, 03:53 PM

Hello,
I have done a job very similar to this. I got a 98 4.6 4x4 and I swapped it out with an 03 4.6. Asie from it really just being a pain to get in there everything matched up fine. I also had the 03 wiring harness but decided to just run it off the 98 wiring harness. There was one little glitch because some of the coolant temperature sensors were no longer located on the intake manifold. I just drilled and tapped new places for the sensors. Had the engine in for about a year and a half now and it runs like a champ.

kookookachew · 02-16-2010, 04:46 PM

Just my .02, but I'd use the wiring harness from the 97 motor, the coil packs are much more reliable and less susceptible to problems from moisture than the COPs, its also a lot cheaper too, each one of those COPs is $50 if they go bad, and they will.

97green4x4 · 02-16-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanT4x4

Hello,
I have done a job very similar to this. I got a 98 4.6 4x4 and I swapped it out with an 03 4.6. Asie from it really just being a pain to get in there everything matched up fine. I also had the 03 wiring harness but decided to just run it off the 98 wiring harness. There was one little glitch because some of the coolant temperature sensors were no longer located on the intake manifold. I just drilled and tapped new places for the sensors. Had the engine in for about a year and a half now and it runs like a champ.

Thanks much!! I saw that too about the coolant sensors... I think I'll go the same route you did... Wasn't wanting to do a lot of machine work, but it sounds like the best idea... I totally agree about it being a pain to get in and out!! I had to let some air out of the tires cause my engine hoist was maxed out...

Thanks much!!

Cheers!!

97green4x4 · 02-16-2010, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kookookachew

Just my .02, but I'd use the wiring harness from the 97 motor, the coil packs are much more reliable and less susceptible to problems from moisture than the COPs, its also a lot cheaper too, each one of those COPs is $50 if they go bad, and they will.

Thanks much!! It does make more sense to stick with the 97 stuff for simplicity... And I can make some of the money back by selling the 8 COP's I have... Great idea!!

Cheers!!!