THUMPIN455

Exactly the same yet completely different.

I would go with the 5.0, I not opposed to swapping out the shock towers and using a II front end, but for the cost of 4.6 parts you can build a **** nasty 5.0, especially with a roller block. Unless you have a blown 4.6 or a 5.4 you can put a blower on, why bother? Also the 98 is pre PI so they are weak suck compared to later 4.6 engines.

The 5.0 should get better mileage too.. unless you go crazy with cam and heads on it.

eZ

**** Nasty?

67mustang302

I always felt Ford made a mistake going from the Windsor family to the Modulars, it seemed like a downgrade. The new 5.0 DOHC engines are nasty though, but freakin expensive.

JChase

5.0 it is...Thanks guys Im convinced..Now I dont have to build retaining walls or water features!! Thanks again

andrewmp6

Yeah a 5.0 is a bolt in a mod motor is the old 10 pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag.Unless its a 03/04 cobra a lightning mod motors i would pass on it.

Norm Peterson

I think I'd add any 3-valve built after the end of 2007 to the list of modular engines that might be worth the effort (3-valve engines before that have a spark plug issue that you want to stay far, far away from). It's actually lighter than the little all-iron Windsors and about as powerful as the 4.6 DOHC motors, stock vs stock.

But even then, you'd have to really want to specifically work with the modular motor.

I'd do an aluminum-headed 302/5.0/331 instead and save a lot of headaches.


Norm

ozarks06

If you have a 98 DOHC motor from a Mark VIII, it uses the 'B' heads, which are a little big for a street motor but great with blowers. The DOHC motors went to 'C' heads in 99, which work better in a street car. The SOHC motors went to the PI heads in 99 or 2000 (?). The 03-04 DOHC motors have the best heads (short of the Cobra R or GT500 heads).

Parts are expensive for the 4.6 since Ford has made 9 or 10 (?) different heads for them since 93 (who can afford to tool up perf parts when Ford changes heads every 2 years?) and they are more complicated than a 5.0 (but not rocket science).

The later Mark VIII (96-98), Cobra and Mach 1 motors are all good motors. Cobra motors (and manual Mach 1s) have forged cranks. All but the 03-04 Cobras have powdered metal rods and hypereutectic pistons so they won't take much detonation.

BUT, they are smooth as silk, make lots of power for their size, have a sound you can't get from a 5.0, get great mileage, the aluminum DOHC motors are lighter than a 5.0, and in a classic look great under the hood. And as for power, it's cheaper to get 400 FWHP from a 4.6 Cobra (non-supercharged) than from a 5.0. Put in a set of cams (about $1000), larger injectors, Lightning MAF and a dyno tune and you're there. And with a little boost, they make huge power.

I definitely wouldn't bother with a 4.6 swap unless you're going with a 4V motor (DOHC).

See Plain Jane if you want to know what you're getting into.

Norm Peterson

Interesting read, ozark. How far back does that engine sit relative to where the original Windsor sat?

I think I agree about the p-brake handle - it needs to be a little further forward and possibly angled up and "bent" laterally a little to clear the modified tunnel and the shifter. Something I'd do for sure, as I never did like the under-dash handles or the foot-operated p-brakes of the 60's. Not even then.


Norm

1965fastback

331 stroker w/ roller cam FTW!

67 evil eleanor

The DOHC 4.6 or 5.4 in these old lightweight rides will yeild lots of fun, especially if you throw in some boost. They will mind there manners and keep a cool head in traffic. Don't mess with the 2 valve though. The 4 valves will really move some air (the 3's are not too shabby). Keep in mnd to watch the thread count as some of the earlier ones will launch the spark plug into low orbit. If you want to keep it simple, then the good ole 302 will work well, and its about as easy as it gets. The 331 Stroker would be my choice of the push rod varity. With the Mod motors, throw in some boost and injectors (and pump) and you are there. One thing you need to consider is, and I have learned this the hard way, is to build the chassis to handle the power. Its fun to have it, but not fun when you start breaking things. Also keep in mind "all" that is needed to make "everything" work. ECM, EDIS, fuel system, yada-yada, can add up to some big bucks fast. On the park brake issue, I agree with Norm, its really fairly simple to do a "hump mount" parking brake setup. The old "pull handle" or "foot press" never thrilled me, and often I would take off with the brake on. On the hump mount, when you see the handle sticking up, you gotta know its on. "Daze" wrote an article somewhere on how to make that mod, and if you do a search, you can find it.