Well, After purchasing an inspection camera and looking into the combustion chamber it's clear that my '04 GT didn't just spit a plug. I just bought the car super cheap taking a chance that it was just that. It's obviously sucked something down into the cylinder and seriously damaged the piston and I would suspect the cylinder wall. Oh well, on to Plan B. Motor swap.
I'm thinking I'll just do a one for one, 4.6 out, 4.6 in should be theoretically fairly straight forward. Looks like I can pick up a used running motor from an '05 or '06

for about $1500. I'm planning to do the clutch while it's out. Anything else I should do or helpful tips? I've just started to do a little research on the swap and while I'm fairly handy around cars this will be my first engine out so any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

The 05+ cars used a 3 valve engine though, it won't be as easy as dropping it in. I imagine the electronics and the computer will be an issue (I'm sure others here know better than I do). If you want an easy swap find a 99-04 4.6.

 

What am I missing? why wouldn't swapping in a 4.6 3v from the same year car be easier than trying to put something in from a different year?? I assume the electronics would be plug and play if I swapped in the same year size engine, Am I wrong?

 

Check that.... went back and read my original post. It should read '05 GT fat fingered it apparently and didn't catch it.....

 

Ahhhh yeah, that would make more sense. It should just drop in although I'm not sure if there are any security functions in those engines that may cause you issues, some of the other members here should be able to help you with that. I'd also take a look in the s197 section, I'm sure someone has done it.