Blackbox19

I have a chance to buy a 98 cobra. The piston came out the side of block and broke the engine and part of the head.
Finding a cheap replacement engine dont seem like a easy task. I am aware of some of the other cars I could take from to make a stockish swap happen.
What i want to know is if I had say a 2000 Crown Vic with a new engine setting in it from a police sale, how much trouble is it to change out the 4V to a much easier to find 2V?
I have seen it done the other way.. But if someone has a good link to a detailed install that way or this I could not find one that I would feel comfortable in what it said.

jwog666

blocks are the same deending on year, and can be made to work with minor adjustments, get a shortblock and swap over the 4v heads and other parts = you can keep the 4v

Blackbox19

never heard that tha blocks where interchangeable.

I know that cobra has a aluminum block but I dont really care if I have to use a iron block as a replacement. Short blocks are easy to find cheap too.

ANY idea on which blocks would work better and info on any problems I would have to address?

I have installed a Mark 8 block in a 98 cobra in the past. It was rather easy as most parts just swapped over from the blown cobra engine to Mk8.. intake and such.. Oil pan and pick up.. and knock sensors. I had to order a new 6 bolt fly wheel as my 8 bolt did not work.. But reused the same clutch and pressure plate.

Z28KLR

If you decide to move forward with a 2V, my only advice is that you pick from a 2001 or newer CrownVic/Towncar. They used the PI top end found on the '99+ Mustangs.

Also, I would stay away from anything out of a police or taxi service vehicle. Going to have very high mileage and a service life that would fall under the "severe use" end of the spectrum.

Blackbox19

ok,, Thanks... Had to look up when the PI heads came on the CV

Blackbox19

yeah I going to try and keep it 4V as that would be a drop in and go kind of deal.

Still the question of which block to use.


I have a local police force that is selling all the CVs they have.. MOST of them had new engines put in with less than 10k miles. they also selling complete engines that are crate motors they bought just to keep the cars going.. They have like 10 of those.
They keeping till they rotate all the CV out of service and get enough of the caprice and ford tauraus and some of those dodge things to have enough back up cars.

inspecto

if you could get 1 of the crate engines might be the way to go if still in the crate.

Blackbox19

Still not telling me why which block is better..
engine that has been run 10k miles or new should not really be that much difference in what I need from it.

95SHO

So the block and heads from a 2002 Town Car is the same as a 2002 GT? Need a motor for my 2002 and if they are the same block and heads I will pick one up this week. Same internals? Part numbers are different but that usually doesn't mean anything.

JC316

Yes. I've done it several times. Some stuff might have to be swapped over, motor mounts and what not, but the engines are the same.