I got a 1998 single cab I've owned since 1999. It is a V6 (4.2 I think?) with a 5 speed. Other than high mileage it dirty interior from being a construction truck, it's in great condition. I have an 11 year old son that's taken interest in it. Thought it would be a good project to tear it down and rebuild everything over the next few years. So what would be a good engine to throw in it? I was originally thinking a Coyote because I drive a 2018 F150 with the coyote but after some googleing it looks like that won't work.

 

How much work are you willing to do?

Only another 97-98(?) 4.2 is a straight drop-in.

I guess you can try an Exploder 5.0 out of the 96-01 models as that has the same bell housing bolt pattern, but there will be some electronics to figure out.

 

I don't want anything super complicated. Just more power. If I can get that from the 4.2 I'm ok with that. I found super six motorsports through google that looks like they specialize in this sort of thing. I'd like to swap from the 5 speed to an auto trans but I think they may be out of my level of ability if it's even possible to do.

 

The Coyote will drop right in and with the FRPP control pack the wiring couldn't be any easier. For the 99, 4.2 anyway, the Coyote shorty header is even a direct match to the existing exhaust. 4.6 motor mounts are required though.

 

Hmmm all the stuff I read said it was way too complicated. Will the current 5 speed transmission work with it also?

 

No. The 4.2 Essex has a "later small block V8 pattern," and the Coyote has the "Modular V8 pattern." I wouldn't put an OEM M5R2 behind a Coyote anyway.

I say "drop in" but that may be misleading depending on your skills. The Coyote oil filter will hit the front crossmember and will need to be relocated but there are plenty of kits for this. They range in price from ~$75 to $400. The oil pan will hit a small area of the crossmember also. A different oil pan or some minor fabrication solves this. The Coyote front drive is different also. The power steering pump and the AC is the biggest issue with this. The are a number of options available to solve this ranging from working on everything a bracket at a time or an entire setup for everything. Places like Vintage Air has complete kits that range from $1,200 to $1,500 depending on various options and finish choice. There are solutions for everything involved and there are books covering what you would deal with.

There was a time where knowledge and understanding of the PCM system and other modules was bad at best but the has drastically improved over time. Coyotes were available on ebay where the engine came with a mass of components from the original donor car. Most people are aware now that a lot of that wasn't necessary. Most functions of the FRPP PCM can be adapted to the trucks existing PCM to use what the truck came with. The engines original PCM is also useable but there are some issues involving number matching but solvable. The current "J" protocols will adapt to the old SCP, Standard Corporate Protocols. If this is beyond what you think you can do, locally you can get a Coyote installed for you for about $750 to $1k in labor.

EDIT: IMO it's all well worth it.

 

Yeah all that sounds like it’s more than I could do. Thanks for the info!