Can i swap the engine in and run the original computer and harness? Or will i have to change a bunch of stuff? Any help would be great cause i wanna start the swap on saturday.
Direct swap. YOU will have to use your front cover, cam covers and coil pack mounts and such. Other than that, it is a direct swap. Both have 6 bolt cranks so your ok. You will have to use your ballancer and water pump pulley (if they are different sized) so you belt will fit correctly.
I just did this was with an 03 mounty (all aluminum) 4.6 3 weeks ago. Your 96 computer may not be quite as adaptable as my 98 but it will run just fine with it.