2004 4.6 engine replacement - difficulty? problems ?

[hertfordnc]

Last year my wife bought a beautiful fully loaded 04. Probably should have checked the oil more often (new cars have spoiled me)

Anyway, at 144,000 miles i changed the oil, it was like 2 quarts low. Shortly after that it developed a rod knock.

ENgine is junk.

Considering my options, thinking i can find a low miles motor and swap it myself or pay a shade tree guy.

Any particular obstacles? What models and year range can i pick from?

thanks

Dave - 2004 4X4 4.6

 

[Joe in NY]

Call Jasper engine yet? Best remans you can buy. 3 year / 100,000 miles warranty too. If it breaks take it to a shop and Jasper pays.

 

[mountaineer2004]

It may be a bit more difficult than regularly checking the oil.

 

[hertfordnc]

It may be a bit more difficult than regularly checking the oil.

I suppose I deserve that but really, I've owned 40 cars and none in the last ten years has had any significant oil loss.

Anyway, this is the wife's car and she just doesn't love it enough to put $3000 into a new engine. This event has been an excuse for her to look for something newer.

 

[boominXplorer]

The problem with the explorer 4.6 is it has an all aluminum engine. They don't last when ran any bit low on oil. Also the explorer 4.6 is sought after for a mustang swap as they come with an iron block. Its an easy 80-100 lbs weight difference between the two. They also have a few different holes for motor mounts which make swapping an iron block in a explorer fun.

 

[2000StreetRod]

What wears faster?

The problem with the explorer 4.6 is it has an all aluminum engine. They don't last when ran any bit low on oil. . .

What wears faster on the aluminum block vs the cast iron block? The only thing I can think of might be the cylinder walls.

 

[Joe in NY]

They use iron sleeves for the cylinders. It would still be crazy for Ford to use the aluminum as a cylinder wall

 

[Explorer_PL]

Maybe my story will help.

AC and PS was the main issues for me.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3425012#post3425012

 

[2000StreetRod]

cylinder sleeves

They use iron sleeves for the cylinders. It would still be crazy for Ford to use the aluminum as a cylinder wall

I didn't realize that although it makes sense and see what you mean.

 

[boominXplorer]

The aluminum block vs iron block are identical on the rotating assembly (except 4v). They use the same pistons, rods and crank(almost positive). They even share the same heads on the 2v engine. Where they are not as strong is when they are pushed to the limits in high heat and stress situations.

 

[mountaineer2004]

They use iron sleeves for the cylinders. It would still be crazy for Ford to use the aluminum as a cylinder wall

Well, Chevy did in the original Vega. What could possibly be wrong with that LOL