I had my car out yesterday and it looks like it has a blown head gasket on the PS bank. It was converted to a '97 Lincoln 4.6 DOHC engine by Wilkinson a few owners back. I spoke to a buddy of mine that is a Ford mechanic and he said they are prone to have bad head gaskets and warped heads. I'm wondering if anyone had a 4.6 converted car and upgraded to a newer Cobra 4.6 engine. Mine has a MoTeC driver, so not sure if that would work with a newer 4.6.
Any info is appreciated. Mike
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There’s a lot of discussion about the 4.6 being the “hot new engine swap” in the late 80s-early 90s POCA Newsletters.
Unfortunately in my reading, I did not see a lot of people who had done it at that time.
No chance to go back to a Cleveland?
Good luck with the update
Rocky
Yep, I talked to Steve W a while back and he said he did over 100 of them. Cory at Collector's Choice did a lot of them too. He was doing one when I was up there, years ago. I think Hall and Pantera Performance were doing them too.
I thought about going back. Actually had a 71 Boss 351, but sold it a few years back. Figured I was never going back. Now......this. It would take a lot to source all of the parts to go back. Might have to stay the course. If it's coming out, I either rebuild this one or "upgrade." Hope to only have to do it once. If it does come out, I'll clearance the wheelhouses correctly. There is a thickness of a piece of paper between the wheelhouses and the heads. That's even with someone grinding material off the heads.
Ever consider upgrading to a 5.0L Coyote? You already have the mounts and bellhousing. The Ford Controls Pack makes the wiring a breeze and the plumbing is pretty straight forward. Also, there is no need to cut the fenderwells .
Ron
Ron -
That is one avenue I'm considering but wasn't sure about what all would be needed for the engine management. I'd like to get away from the Motec system since it is outdated. Somewhat of an "easy" swap? Is the block width shorter than the 4.6? That would be great to not have to cut those out.
Thanks, Mike
Ahh, it's actually the heads that are smaller, duh. Still imagining the 5.8 or iron 5.0s.
There is always the crate ls3 with 495hp through jegs for $7500. A lot of bang for the buck.
a cleveland conversation should be really straight forward
Yep, can't do a LS3. Thinking the Coyote is going to be the answer, then I can swap the 4.6 mounts, bellhousing and possibly the headers.
The Ford Control Pack is a really simple way to go when swapping in a Coyote. It plugs into the factory engine harness and there are only three or four wires to connect and you are done. It will even control the cooling fans ( relays built right in) and fuel pump. If you keep the engine stock, there is no tuning necessary . I put one into a Superlite GT-R for a customer with only a CobraJet intake, a GT500 throttlebody custom exhaust and a custom tune, it made 415rwhp and runs like a new Mustang . I also offer stainless headers for the Pantera application. And the firewall ends up completely flat !
Ron
That sounds like the ticket Ron. Now to source a good Coyote.
Thanks, Mike
Mike,
Where are you located?
Ron
West Burbs of Chicago. How is the TB clearance since is it facing forward. Is there enough room to put an elbow on it?
The intake manifold is reversible on the Coyote. I have a friend who may have a Coyote for sale . It has only dyno time on it and spun a bearing . He would likely sell it cheap . The parts to fix it are very inexpensive . I will see if he still wants to sell it. He's in the St Louis area .
Cool, that solves that problem. Yep, let me know, I just started the search. Do you know if it is a Gen 1 or a Gen 2?
