MustangMom

Hi all,

I am in need of an engine, 4.6 2000 GT. Just found out that after only 117,000 miles on the one I have, that the rod bearings are clattering. Dealership said the oil looked like "Hershey's syrup" and there was a lot of sludge around the walls of the oil spout. I have NEVER had a lick of trouble out of this engine until two weeks ago when we noticed the pinging. It was originally bought at 65,000 miles and we have had the oil changed regularly. Is there anything that can buy me some time until it freezes or until I find a good motor with low miles? We tried higher octane gas at first and another oil change but that didnt help. I am in Southern Indiana and I found a motor 4 hours away that has been involved in a front end collision. The timing cover is busted on but I can interchange mine. The car had about 24K miles on it when the motor was pulled two years ago. Coming from a 2000 GT, is 24K miles on a 4 year old car "fishy" sounding or is this reasonable? I live in the country so 24K a year is probably what I do, lol. Am I taking a chance on a motor that was in a front end collision????? Please help.

Also, I guess I could put a 5.4 in this car???? Is this a mistake on a convertible? My son seems to think its too "luxury" for a bigger motor? Said it wouldnt help resale, is this the consensus? Thanks for any help!!!!
Brenda

2000GT4.6

A 5.4 will not help resale.

Do you have any intention of doing any sort of performance modifcations to the car?

If not, find a low milage factory shortblock out of a 99+ car only, preferably a 99-00 to have the exact same setup. Some of the little stuff is different on the 01 1/2 to 04 cars.

There isn't another replacement engine you can use for the same cost that will signficiantly increase performance. You can do a 4v (cobra motor) swap if you are interested in increased performance, but it will be more pricy and you will need more parts (computer etc).

If your intention was to do performance mods to the car there are lots of aftermarket options out there, everything from new forged rotating assemblys to entire shortblocks (everything under the heads/cams/intake) to entire "longblocks" that are basically new engines. All of these solutions are going to be more pricy than finding a junkyard 4.6L 2v and swapping it in though.

Red2001GT

No, it doesn't sound fishy. Some people don't drive their Mustangs too much and they have very low miles on them. I myself own a 2001 Mustang GT that I purchased Brand New and I only put 2,6xx original miles on it. I drive it an average of 500 miles per year.

contentsunderpressur

You can put thicker oil to try to get a little more life out of it. Try 50 wt oil. Since the motor has been out for two years make sure it was stored out of the weather. I've seen a lot of these junkyard engines knock and ping as soon as the new owner starts them up. Make sure they'll take it back if there are any problems with it. I wouldn't recomend driving the car too far because when the rod breaks that will be it. Broke down on the side of the road.

Colorado_Mustang

What kind of oil are you using?

white97

go to stangparts.com (m.p.s salvage now) you can get a complete engine for a really good price but shipping is freight and should be like $300-350 or so . I bought one an not one problem. i put an 03 PI motor in my 97 .... good luck

MustangMom

Thanks to all of you for your input. I appreciate it all.

I would like to enhance performance somewhat but I dont have to go over the top. I will keep in mind all of these things and hopefully things will go well for me. I went ahead and purchased the motor that came out of a 2000 GT just like mine so hopefully it will drop right in after we get the timing cover changed. Thankfully, the seller agreed to refund my money if the motor is shot for some reason. 24K miles on it for 600.00. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks again!
Brenda