I have 99 GT w/ 4.6. Long story short,pulled engine. Going to replace. ID tag on engine says it was manufactured on 1/31/2005. I thought only 96 to 04 were interchangeable I'm confused. Please help!!!!
13 bolts on valve covers. 6 months ago bought the car from friend. He thought it had rod knocking. I went to buy car. He started the car. It didn't sound like rod knocking. I bought car for 500 bucks. Drove it 250 miles home. Noticed oil pressure low,below 75 mph. Took front timing chain cover/front of engine, timing chain tensioners were broke laying in pan. Chin so sloppy it ate a hole in the oil pump. Hence the low oil pressure. Got new chain set for 99 gt 4.6 and it worked. No prob. Fired up sounded like new. My son blew it up. Can't understand why engine tag says date of manufacture 1/31/2005
For the record, it's not that much work to switch from a Windsor block to a Romeo block. 100's have done it (including myself).
Why would anyone want to switch? Because it can be difficult to locate an affordable salvage yard Windsor whereas Romeo's are very common.
Why are Romeo's more common than Windsors? Because Windsor blocks were in the Mustang for only 2 years (1999-2000). For the rest of the run, Mustangs have Romeo blocks. BUT the Romeo block is also used in the Ford Panther car line (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Town Car). Hence the reason why a low cost Romeo salvage motor will be easier and cheaper to source.