2002 gt rod knock, what's my options

your looking at a total computer swap and wiring swap as well. your talking a 4.6 to a 5.0 2 totally different engines. A rebuild will be cheap. You can just install the rod bearings and leave the rest of the engine alone. anytime you do a rebuild, the cam and crank are reused 99% of the time, only time they wont be is if they have too much wear or have damage done. I have replaced many rod bearings on FWD cars, and 1 set on a v8. As long as you know what your doing its easy...takes more time pulling parts to get the oil pan off, or engine out. and if you hear any myth about soaking the bearings in oil and you will be fine..its BS you need to get and use bearing grease made just for rebuilds.

I'd just look for a used takeout 4.6 engine from a reputable supplier like LKQ, they are inexpensive and abundant, about $750 on Ebay or similar...
A smallblock swap is not a viable option, you can sell the heads and intake you have on the blown motor for about $300, they are known as the "PI swap" and are desirable to 96-98 Mustang GT owners...good luck

2Manystangs said:

I'd just look for a used takeout 4.6 engine from a reputable supplier like LKQ, they are inexpensive and abundant, about $750 on Ebay or similar...
A smallblock swap is not a viable option, you can sell the heads and intake you have on the blown motor for about $300, they are known as the "PI swap" and are desirable to 96-98 Mustang GT owners...good luck

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I'd agree with this. I bought an 03 Explorer aluminum longblock with 29k miles for $1200 delivered to the shop. They had GT engines with 50k miles for about $800. Rebuilding a 4.6 isn't anything like rebuilding an older engine. The tolerances are so tight, and you need a torque plate to even hone them, which is a $500 minimum purchase that many machine shops aren't willing to purchase. You wouldn't believe how many "experienced" small block engine builders who have tried to rebuild a 4.6 and it ended up using a ton of oil and having piston slap out the ass.

Pay $800-$1000 for a low mileage engine, sell the heads/cams/intake off your current engine for $300, and you've got $500-$700 into an engine that will last you a long time.

looked up a couple of 4.6 online ,,found 1 with 35k miles for 1200 to my door, think ill take that route. i really didn't think the 5.0 was a viable direction but i do so love those little screamers,,i have had no experience with this 4.6 yet, afraid if i go to the floor the rod goes through the pan, thanks for the advice

just bought this little dude. just thought i would share.