My truck: 1992, F-150 xlt, x-cab, short bed, 2wd, E4OD.

I bought, and and broke down another 4.9L to do a build on. The block is in excellent condition. I'm not looking to build anything crazy. Just a little more than stock. Looking for a bit more power and still crazy reliability. I've been reading post after post on 4.9 builds all over the place. The problem is they all seem to be carb applications. This truck is a daily driver, and gets worked. I'll be towing a 16.5ft boat, 16ft travel trailer, and a small horse trailer every once in awhile. I have to have this truck last me probably another 100K miles. While I have her down I'll be swapping in a ttb axle, swapping a 4x4 shaft in the trans, bolting up a t-case, and adding lift, gears, and larger tires. Looking to keep 87 octane as my fuel as well.

Help me out here folks. I know nothing about the aftermarket for the 4.9L.

I've seen a bunch of people porting and polishing for carbed apps, but I've also heard its useless on these efi engines. This is getting to be a royal pain in the *** trying to research. I only have a phone, no computer, and searching doesn't go so well on this thing. advice?

No I wont be selling the truck to buy a 4x4, or just getting something brand new. Please keep that BS corked and to yourself.

 

not much you can do, get a metal timing gear set. have the block and head decked for straightness,

about your best bet is to rebuild it and use quality parts on the rebuild. rubber gaskets on the install, beef up the ignition system with a good coil brass end cap and rotor, good wires and a set of plain jane motorcraft copper plugs.

you can also get a mild cam to run in it.

 

Yeah. I'm just looking to do a solid rebuild with a mild cam (suggestions?) and stronger pistons. Any piston and ring suggestions? I've been looking at Hyperutectic pistons, but not sure what to get. I was looking to go with H beam rods instead of I beam, but screw that. Reuse stock rods, or buy new? The crank looks good besides where the rear main seal wore a groove. I'm just going to get it polished up unless it is bent.

Going with a full rebuild on the head.

I've rebuilt quite a few engines, but it's been years. I'm a suspension guy. Never really built a truck.

 

The factory parts are plenty strong on the 4.9 for up to 400 HP. If they are still in good shape, machine the block, have everything hot tanked and inspected. Add some new rings, oversized if needed. And you will be good for another 300k. For the top end port and polish, will help flow air and that's always good for power. The MAP system will still respond to better flow, however if you've got the time and parts converting to MAF is a good idea. A drop in high flow filter helps or you can design or buy an intake that brings in more outside (cold) air. The factory intake is already designed to bring in air from the high pressure area in front of the radiator so its pretty good if it hasn't been hacked by a po. A gear change is a sure way to increase torque. I believe headers are also available for the 4.9. I hope that gives you something to work with. There is a website somewhere dedicated to the 6 cyl and broncograveyard.com carries parts for them.

 

Lots of stuff here,

http://fordsix.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2