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03 Mountainer 4.6 motor

  • Thread starter Thread starter squeak93
  • Start date Start date Feb 16, 2009

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,264
363
164
Joplin, Missouri
Feb 16, 2009
#1
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #1
Ok, I just bought this 22k mile gem for 1k.(aluminum block ftw) Full motor, lower intake to pan obviously. My npi motor is stock and blown up so I figured this is my cheapest and best bet to get a pi swap and a good motor w/o having to jack with rebuilding and finding all the swap parts.

So my question is, Other than the front timing cover and a few sensors.... Should I expect any issues or just enjoy a nice easy motor swap? (I built 100% of my last pushrod motor, so not a newb here). Just trying to make sure I don't have any real suprises like valve covers not clearing or something stupid like that. Not done to much work to mod cars, always been foxes.
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,264
363
164
Joplin, Missouri
Feb 16, 2009
#2
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #2
Dang, 16 views and nothing..... Guess that means that it should be pretty straight forward as I expect.

One more question. Do 98's have the passenger side exhaust header/h pipe gasket?
 

Wolvrin704

Member
Apr 17, 2007
120
0
17
Milford, OH
Feb 16, 2009
#3
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #3
Not sure if you will have any suprises, I'm answering because I just recently purchased a 2004 Mountaineer with 35K miles. I do know the motor only has 239hp which is less than a PI Mustang's 260. I haven't really looked into the differences between the 2 engines yet so can't offer any advice yet. I'm still trying to get used to the vehicle and haven't ventured much into the engine compartment yet.
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,264
363
164
Joplin, Missouri
Feb 16, 2009
#4
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #4
As far as I understand it, the difference is in the Tune and set up. The exhaust and trans/rear combo rob more from the exploders and mountainiers.

They way I understand it, beside from the Aluminum block, the motors are identical.

Anyone want to chime in there?
 

Wolvrin704

Member
Apr 17, 2007
120
0
17
Milford, OH
Feb 16, 2009
#5
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #5
Looked mine over a bit, they are virtually identical. One minor difference is the alternators are different, at least the mounting is different so definetly a different alternator. Could have the same amperage, but I have no info available on that.

I'd say the major difference is in the tune and exhaust, since it goes to a single muffler. The hp difference is at the crank so no tranny or rear end to make a difference there (AWD is awesome though!). I hadn't noticed it was an aluminum block, thanks for pointing it out.

No matter what its got to be an upgrade over your NPI motor.
 

1987stangman

Member
Jul 12, 2006
684
24
19
Feb 16, 2009
#6
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #6
May look visually the same but my guess is that the cams and/or heads have some differances in them and that is where the additional HP from the Mustang comes. Again, I am not a 4.6 expert (5.0L only) but it makes sense.
 

Wolvrin704

Member
Apr 17, 2007
120
0
17
Milford, OH
Feb 16, 2009
#7
  • Feb 16, 2009
  • #7
Found some interesting reads for ya regarding 4.6 engines. Hope these help a little.

Modular Mix & Match, Part 1--Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords Magazine

Differnece between GT 4.6 and Triton 4.6 - F150online Forums

Ford Modular V-8 Engines Part 2 - Mustang & Fords Magazine

Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,264
363
164
Joplin, Missouri
Feb 17, 2009
#8
  • Feb 17, 2009
  • #8
Thanks. I have actually read all of that before when I was researching just a pi head swap. But two dead cylinders promted me to buy the exploder engine instead.
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
7
89
the people's republic of massachusetts
Feb 17, 2009
#9
  • Feb 17, 2009
  • #9
a exploder 4.6 in a mustang will make the exact same power. the only difference is how they rated them and the tune that you will not be using and the single exhaust you will not be using
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,264
363
164
Joplin, Missouri
Feb 17, 2009
#10
  • Feb 17, 2009
  • #10
Thanks! Thats what I have read.


My ? still remains for the exhast donut gasket on the pass header... Do 98's have them like the 99+ cars?
 
J

justinschmidt1

Member
Jun 15, 2005
349
0
16
Feb 17, 2009
#11
  • Feb 17, 2009
  • #11
Should be an easy swap...

use all the stuff from the stang and replace the timing covers...other than that it should be good.
 

tank_567

Active Member
Mar 19, 2007
731
26
29
Raleigh, Nc
Feb 17, 2009
#12
  • Feb 17, 2009
  • #12
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,264
363
164
Joplin, Missouri
Feb 17, 2009
#13
  • Feb 17, 2009
  • #13
I'll take plenty of pics... That is when I do it this weekend.
 
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