Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

So I have an '03 E150, and finding a cheap v6 'stang recipient isn't working out. I pulled the LG4 out of my '86 'maro and put it in my '87 S-10, because my LR4 is going in my '94 'maro, ( so my 3.4L V6 is going in a self-built LoCost 7, like the Caterham take on the old Lotus 7 )
My 4.6 is rated at 230 HP and 290 TQ, much like a TPI 305, and it's running out of air by 5000 RPM, like an LB9.
This would be a lot cheaper than doing a 350, would simplify emissions, and a turbo will add another 100 horses, which the 4R70W can easily take, especially in a car a thousand pounds lighter.
I've been happy with the van, the 3.55:1 gears have proven perfect, and it does 22 MPG highway. Corrected to a 305/35R18x10.5, that makes 3.23:1, which I have in my '94 Camaro.
The van oilpan won't work, nor the exhaust manifolds, but there are plenty of Crown Vics at Pick-N-Pull. I can fabricate adapter brackets for mounting the 4.6.
It's complete and running well, my '86 Camaro needs an engine, and I'm not rich. Very tempted to try it.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

Aside from all the "haters" you'd get, it would be an interesting swap. The only big issue I can think of would be the physical size of the 4.6 ford. That engine is super wide. I can see clearance issues with the heater box, wiper motor, and possibly the steering shaft. A torque arm mount would have to be fabricated, and the wiring might be tricky. If you have the skills and willing to explain yourself all the time, go for it!

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

yes, measure carefully, that is a very large engine and I'm concerned it will be a really tight fit between inner fenders as well as all the other things Neilb mentioned.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

The engine is wide, like the guys above have said so measure first.

03 should be a pi 4.6, which means with decent exhaust and tune it will do much better than 230 horses. Those engines in the mustangs were 260hp. Also, i think those 2v 4.6's sound great. Much better than a sbc. I've owned a couple mustangs. Those are great little engines.

You'll also need to figure out something with the driveshaft.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

Yes, it's about as big on the outside as a 460, but with manifolds instead of headers, it should be possible.
Having the donor vehicle means I could lift the entire wiring harness with the PCM.
The A/C no longer works, so a non-A/C heater box might make it easier.
The torque arm should have been on the crossmember, not the tailhousing, since 1982, here's a good reason to correct it.
The vans didn't get the PI heads until sometime after '03, but it still moves better than the LG4 it'd replace. It could get a head swap later, probably with Comp's mildest cams. I think they're 224s, so still better than any stock Ford cams.
The driveshaft could be a problem, but even if I need to get the van shaft shortened and a conversion joint, that's still around $100.
Nobody mentioned the shifter, but that doesn't worry me.
The wiper motor is a concern. The Fiero version might help, but if not, it would be a real problem.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

Worked with several of those, unless you are putting forced induction on it, I wouldn't do the swap. Its just not a engine worth the swap time imo.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

I really like the engines. Not so much from a power perspective but they are tough.

If it was me, I'd sell the 4.6 and buy a 350 if you can't spend much money.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

I'm about to turn 40, I can give up some HP for a while to avoid the hassles of a carburetor, and especially trying to get the LG4 emissions controls working right. This would be nearly plug-and-play, emissions-wise, I just tell them it's from a '96 Mustang, it passes emissions, and I get my registration.
Even in the van the torque is good, the power is adequate, and I have both 3.23:1 and 3.42:1 gears to choose from.
Everyone here has a 350, or LSx, I nearly finished an LSx swap in my previous '86 Camaro, and this is really appealing to me more every day.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

I thought I was ready to pull the 4.6, but then I had to use the van as the work van it was built to be, so this is on hold.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

Found a '94 E350 extra-long-body with the 351W and E4OD and 10.25" FF, offered $700, if he accepts then this 4.6-Camaro swap happens.

Re: Seriously could, Ford 4.6 / 4R70W
 

So last week I discovered that 1/1/17, my '86 is emissions-exempt. This morning I was driving 100 miles down to SLC to pull a known-running LO5/NVG3500 out of a '95 C1500. Only when I got there, he'd sold it to someone else. Feeling bad, and with cash in hand, I went to Pick-N-Pull, found a complete '99 Vortec 7400 w/ 2WD 4L80E. But I had only just enough for the long block assembly or the trans. I chose the 454, pulled it, stripped it down to long-block status, and I had long ago given up on ever scoring another one.
I was worried that the oil filter situation would be problematic again, but that donor was 4WD, this one was 2WD.