mark_5102

Ive done a bunch of looking around and cant find anything that fits my problems.
I have a 98 f150 4x4 that had a 4.6l rod bearings locked up, i just got done swapping in a 5.4l from a 99 expedition. i followed all the information i could find on the web (mainly fte) i completed the switch this morning, but have 2 issues, really big issues.

first is in the flywheel torque converter area, i am keeping my 4r70w trans so i decided to use the 4.6l starter. Wrong!! i thought it was a bell housing issue to fit the nose cone that the 4.6 has. turns out the 5.4l flexplate hits the starter. so i switched, but had to swap the starter mounted solenoids sue to a broken bolt. got two starts out of it. then it died and turning key only clicked the firewall start solenoid. I was to the parts store and bought a new starter, wasnt gonna change it ever again. solved that problem.
after geting the starter solved i fired it up, and it made a bunch of racked, like a misfire or knock, hard to explain, cooudlnt find the issue until i tried moving the vehicle. the noise has subsided a bit but when i put it in 4 low driver or reverse it takes 4000 rpm to get it to try and roll. Is there a special way to install a torque converter?? i just slipped it on and wiggled until it slipped on.can you improperly install the tc and still get the trans to mount up? i used no power tools and left the trans installed when putting in my new motor. since the underlying eninge tone is so perfect im thinking my noice is from TC since i have no power. is it is it easy to kill a TC? I used the TC from the expedition. everywhere i read on the web says the 4.6l pcm will run the 5.4 but i dont think it a pcm issuse. also anyone know if the expy is a low or high stall?

2nd isssue, i saw the 5.4 run for a bit in the original vehicle. now while running i have a plume of white smoke. My other 98 4.6 has a bad intake gasket bleeding coolant into a cylinder. I just put new intake gaskets on the 5.4L so i would hat to think that there is a leak in one. I know it could be head gasket or cracked head, but knowing it worked before leaves me puzzeled. constant white smoke after 15 min of idle would burn out any water from all the time all parts have been sitting. coolant bottle doesnt go down much if at all. And the otehr puzzler is the upper radiator hoseis soft, feels empty. getting raher frusterated. any insight would be greatly appreciated.

97badass

You're torque converter wasn't seated in the transmission fully and now I'd say your pump is broken . When I swapped the 5.4 into my f150 I used everything from the 4.6 and have 0 issues. The torque converter claim is bull**** about this one creating more torque bla bla bla.

mark_5102

i had the parts from the doner vehicle, so it wasnt a big deal to use them. just a mistake installing it appears, how can i tell if the pump is bad? what does it entail to replace?

ibd2328

iTrader: (2)

If it was an expedition with the 4r100 then it's the wrong flex plate. The studs on the converter will only go about 1/8 through the flex plate holes.

Starter should not be an issue as the flex plates have the gears moved on each flex plate to adapt for concavity

mark_5102

i used the 5.4 flexplate. i remember reading something but at the time i couldnt remember which to use, so i went with the 5.4 plate.

im not sure what you mean with the starter comment. i visually looked at them and couldnt tell a difference if i remember. ill have to look back into that for the h of it. when i pull the trans again ill replace the flex plate just incase its messed up from hitting the 4.6 starter.

Carcrazygts2

I hate to tell you but your facts incorrect. There is a different torque converter ratio for the 4.6 and 5.4. There is also a different ratio for the 5.4 with a 4R100.

mark_5102

any clue how that 5.4 4r100 rate would change anything for me? am i still correct with the 5.4 expy TC? or do i need a different one?

Carcrazygts2

You need the right flexplate. You can use the 4.6 TC but I wouldnt. I would get a TC form a 5.4 with a 4r70. Also your supposed to spin the TC while pushing it back.

mark_5102

so your saying i need a flewplate from a 5.4 with 4r70w, which im not sure what might that come from, but ok, what is the problem with the tc from the expy?

Carcrazygts2

You need to know if it had a 4R100 or a 4R70.