4.6 Mod motor swap?

[kevinthenerd]

How feasible and/or common is it to swap a Ford 4.6L motor into a Ranger? Do you have any tranny recommendations? Do you have any 4.6L application recommendations (i.e. original models of varying intake/exhaust configurations)? Will the rear end hold up?

[cyderus]

goto therangerstation.com they have all the info on that swap.

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by kevinthenerd

How feasible and/or common is it to swap a Ford 4.6L motor into a Ranger? Do you have any tranny recommendations? Do you have any 4.6L application recommendations (i.e. original models of varying intake/exhaust configurations)? Will the rear end hold up?

It's not a common swap. What year? You'll be looking at replacing the wiring harness, computer, transmission, etc. It's more practical to get a donor vehical to get these parts from. The engine itself is a freaking boat anchor, it's a big (in size) small (in displacement) V8. I would do some serious measuring before even thinking about doing this. I would pay close attention to the transmission and firewall clearance. Oil pan clearance might be an issue.

You'll have to find some headers, not sure about motor mounts, you'll probably need a custom drive shaft. Might need new front springs because that motor is a lot heavier, depending on what you're replacing it with.

Ask a forum specific to the 4.6L which engine/trans combonation would be best.

My friend runs a 5.0L HO on a 79' 7.5" Ford rear and has no problems. The push rods engines tend to have more torque than the OHC engines, I imagine you won't ever have a problem (mildly built), just as long as the rear itself is in good working order. If not, you can always go with an 8.8".

Good Luck,
Pete

[kevinthenerd]

Would you say, then, that a 5.0L swap would be significantly easier?

[Psychopete]

Originally Posted by kevinthenerd

Would you say, then, that a 5.0L swap would be significantly easier?

Yeah, but I wouldn't say either swap in general is going to be easy. I've seen headers already made, motor mounts, etc. You probably could get more help if you get stuck, since it's been done before. Depending on the year, you might need to locate a rare oil pan for the 5.0L swap. I remember someone saying something about oil filter relocation as well. I would go EFI and not carb, but it might cost a little more and will be more difficult to get going, but would be worth it in the long run. You might have to get a 5.0L that's newer than your truck to pass emissions.

Pete

[kevinthenerd]

Originally Posted by Psychopete

Yeah, but I wouldn't say either swap in general is going to be easy. I've seen headers already made, motor mounts, etc. You probably could get more help if you get stuck, since it's been done before. Depending on the year, you might need to locate a rare oil pan for the 5.0L swap. I remember someone saying something about oil filter relocation as well. I would go EFI and not carb, but it might cost a little more and will be more difficult to get going, but would be worth it in the long run. You might have to get a 5.0L that's newer than your truck to pass emissions.

Pete

1. Going carb didn't even enter my mind. This is going to be a daily driver, and the extra fuel economy and tuning potential is very important.

2. Passing emissions doesn't matter much. Florida has no inspections.