Whats up guys, I have a 98 4.6 that I has been sitting for a year. It has about 200k on it and it has a loud tap under the passenger valvecover. I would like to fix it and use it as a backup vehicle. The timing chain and all of that has never been done so I am pretty sure you have to pull the motor to do that so my question is would it just be cheaper/easier to get a replacement motor or go through and fix the noise, bore/hone, bearings etc and reassemble? I cant seem to find anyone selling replacement engines or even used engines (i can find a ton of 5.4's, but no 4.6's).

Also I am a bit of an adventurer, has anyone swapped in a same period 5.4 into a 4.6 chassis and is it easy or a birds nets of rewiring and other issues?

 

It's probably just a lifter tapping. Just change the lifter.

Kurt

 

If I just change the lifter (if that is the issue, prob is) that still leaves me with a 200k mile motor that has never had any major service done, its a timebomb im my opinion.... idk when do the timing chains fail on these motors?

 

Well, if you're using it for a backup vehicle, you're probably not going to put that many miles on it. I don't see putting another engine into a car that you aren't going to drive that much. I don't think the chains wear out that much. I've seen old pushrod engines with chains that are still fine. I'd run a compressoin test on it. If it's got good compression on it, the motor is probably fine.

Kurt

 

The chains last forever, find the scource of the tap and fix and drive.

 

Those lifters aren't that hard to change either. I think it's like a 15 minute job. Pull the valve cover off, and see if there are any obviously busted up lifters.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-HT-2271/

Kurt

 

U can't swap with 5.4 different wiring harness

 

dude they stretch over time and fail....as do the spockets