Is my engine toast?
05-07-2010, 06:02 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 92
Is my engine toast?
Well I recently posted about a strange metal clapping noise coming from the motor while driving and only when my foot was on the gas. I figured it was just because of an exhaust leak I have but today the noise got louder. A lot louder and now it does it all the time. In both neutral and while in gear but it only does it after a certain rpm. I'd say around 2500 RPM's. Well I took it to a mechanic and he said it probably is a bearing in the bottom end and my best bet is to just go ahead and rebuild the motor. So I guess what I'm wondering is does his guess on the crank bearing (I think he said) sound legit? And if that's the case would it be cheaper and easier to just rebuild the 4.6 or just go ahead and swap in a 5.4 from an F150 I could get for around a grand? This is my DD so I'm pretty much just looking for a reliable somewhat cheap and easy fix so im not looking for an increase in power or anything. That's what my 91 is for.
I figured the 5.4 swap is the easiest because just pull the 4.6 out drop the 5.4 in and go. But if the 4.6 rebuild is cheap enough it might be worth me just rebuilding the 4.6 and dropping it back in. All thoughts and opinions are appreciated.
I figured the 5.4 swap is the easiest because just pull the 4.6 out drop the 5.4 in and go. But if the 4.6 rebuild is cheap enough it might be worth me just rebuilding the 4.6 and dropping it back in. All thoughts and opinions are appreciated.
05-07-2010, 06:05 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 1,956
Sound alot like a spun bearing to me. Post a video.
No do not bother getting the 5.4L truck engine. Theres a guy or two around here who can fill you in on all the details. Essentially all you will gain is some torque and it will be an absolute pain in the *** to get it set up. Not to mention youl be working with a different compression ratio, etc.
No do not bother getting the 5.4L truck engine. Theres a guy or two around here who can fill you in on all the details. Essentially all you will gain is some torque and it will be an absolute pain in the *** to get it set up. Not to mention youl be working with a different compression ratio, etc.
05-07-2010, 06:09 PM
#4
1st Gear Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 55
Just butting in, I saw some 5.4L swaps but what year are people talking about? 2004 5.4's are bad. My dad has ran into so many problems with his (one major problem is the spark plugs breaking in half, and falling down into the heads).
05-09-2010, 09:50 PM
#7
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 144
if it is a bearing, after you pull the motor apart inspect the crank if the damage isn't too bad (the more you run it the more damage it does) you should be able take the crank to a machine shop and get it turned (aprox. $60) then go get a set of over sized bearings (About $50 - $60). put it back together.
05-09-2010, 10:57 PM
#8
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: KY
Posts: 113
Which is it ,,, all the time OR only after 2500rpm?? If it was a rod it would do it all the time from idle and up,,,,video would be nice!!
05-10-2010, 09:06 AM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Shelbyville, Indiana
Posts: 1,088
I've had spun bearings that sounded like your problem. Don't drive the car. It will only make things worse. Much, much worse. My daughter had a old car once that had the bearings go on it. I sold it to a guy who said he could fix it. I told him to pull it home and not drive it. He drove it anyway and a rod went through the side of the block before he got home. He ended up selling the car for scrap.