[33rowdy]

I have a few questions about a 1998 mustang with a bad 4.6 with 88,000 miles that I'm looking to buy. Keep inmind that I haven't looked at the car yet. I found a wrecked 2002 GT engine for $500. Will the short block work? Will a 5.0 work?

-What engines and year will work in this car? Was told Lincon and, F-150 willk. Is that statement right? Your input please?

-What caused this engine to go bad. Was told that it started as a tick and don't run anymore. Any common issues of these going bad?

-What else should I be awair of, for when I do look at it? Why would I might say no to buy this ride?

Thanks anyone. Rowdy!

 

[jim293]

Rowdy welcome to the site

 

[stlwagon]

Let's see what the crew in this forum have to say.

 

[FM2K GT]

if you where to swap i'd suggest 4.6 2v 4v or a 5.4 2v or 4v i would'nt downgrade to a 5.0 theyre nice engines but don't make good horsepower. not sure about the f150 thing.

if you where going to buy a new (used) car check the oil/plugs make sure she runs good if it's burning oil i wouldnt buy it. if theres many mods on it, it was probably beat. just common sense stuff. hope this helped

 

[SMOKE]

I have a few questions about a 1998 mustang with a bad 4.6 with 88,000 miles that I'm looking to buy. Keep inmind that I haven't looked at the car yet. I found a wrecked 2002 GT engine for $500. Will the short block work? Will a 5.0 work?

-What engines and year will work in this car? Was told Lincon and, F-150 willk. Is that statement right? Your input please?

-What caused this engine to go bad. Was told that it started as a tick and don't run anymore. Any common issues of these going bad?

-What else should I be aware of, for when I do look at it? Why would I might say no to buy this ride?

Thanks anyone. Rowdy!

Welcome.
First off, I'll never say a 5.0L motor "don't make good horsepower." :laugh:

96-98 GTs ran the 4.5 SOHC 281ci V8 .... so there are a lot of Modular family members that can swap. Lincoln Aviator intakes/blocks. A F150 5.4 swap is also quite possible, provided the donor and correct harnesses any of the modulars can work in this year model.

AS for what caused it to go bad? Good question, like any motor poor maintenance will kill an engine quickly so who knows ??????? :headscratch:
Common issues: 96-98 had TSBs out for the 'plastic' intake.

Fatigue Cracks in 4.6L plastic upper intake You may have received a notice from Ford about possible fatigue cracks in the 4.6L SOHC plastic upper intake ('96 models in the area near the front).....This plan covers all Mustang owners (original and secondary owners) for 7 years after the issue date of the TSB.

REF - notification letter example

The intake issue is one of the most common across the board that I've noticed among new and old owners. Other issues could be simply 'isolated' problems;

Aside from the usual prep for buying a used car ... CARFAX, second pair of eyes (mechanic preferred) that nothing invested in the purchase, test drive and no notice test drive.... I really can't think of anything of the top of my head right now.
The 96-98 era Mustangs are pretty solid, besides owning one, there are still quite a few on the road and performing well. I've +100K on mine and running strong.
My only cautions to purchasing the vehicle would center around your purposes, why are you looking to buy and what will you do with it?
Otherwise, I'd say buy it if it checks out!

 

[johnr2001]

what are they asking for it ? if its to much I would spend the money and buy one road ready. you can find some sweet deals if you shop around. good luck ,welcome to the sight.

 

[33rowdy]

I got some more information about the car today. From what is sounds like... that SMOKE mentioned "Poor maintance". She said that it has a bad bearing. For something like that I dought I would do an engine swap. Most likely fix the engine.

The price of the car as is $3000. Thanks everyone. Have any more info, please say so PLASE!

 

[FM2K GT]

i'd get it for 2500 if you can then get that 2002 gt engine for 500, you where saying and drop that in there.. your choice though.. you can probably find a decent 88-93 5.0 for about 3grand

 

[33rowdy]

KM2K GT or anyone?

Is a 1998 and a 2002 the same short block?

If I do get this thing...I want to make it a short simple project. Might do some light or miled upgrades. I'm trying to keep the long term issues out of the picture. If I had a better place to work on cars and trucks I'd most likely work on the engine, trans, rear axle and the suspention.

 

[T-Rev]

For reference, I bought my 96 GT Vert 5spd for $7500. It has 32k on it and it has all the options, but was completely stock. Body and engine are immaculate and only summer driven.

 

[RAPEDMUSTANG18]

www.dssracing.com has great engines not to steer u away from ur choices

 

[dollarbill]

Yes you can use the 02 engine in the 98, and it would be a nice upgrade. The 98s had 225 horse power stock and the 99-04s have 260 stock. It is not a direct swap though the 98 have coil packs, as the 99+ have coil on plugs. I know the swap has been done before so spend some time and use the search feature. If the 98 has a really nice body in the right color and has the options you want then I think its a good buy. I really like the sn95 body and miss my 97 GT sometimes. Also what about the trans in the 98? Is it auto or manual. If its a manual you have the T-45 which is OK but some like the later mid 01+ Tremec 3650. If you will be swapping the trans also then you need to research the speedo drive because they are different between years. You need to figure your total costs of the swap with your mechanic and find out exacty what you are looking at. Keep in mine 98 was the year when some of the stuff on Mustangs started to change and are only unique to 98s. good luck to you!

 

[33rowdy]

Dollarbill...That is the best write-up for information I'm looking for. The car is red and has the manual 5 speed.

Here is what I'm wondering. If the "Short Block" is easily swapable from the 2002 to the 1998? However...I will look into more about the coil packs and ect to swap for the up-grades.

I'm going to be the one wrenching on this thing if I do get it. I'm just not very knowageable on ford cars. That is why I'm in here asking you guys these Q's. You guys are helping me out alot.

SMOKE; you asked "why are you looking to buy and what will you do with it?"

Answer;...I don't know! I guess I'm looking at this as "the buy looks good but, the work and money that goes into it to make it work is still in the air.

 

[smasher41]

pull the engine complete from the 02, drop it in the 98, use the 98 fuel rails and NOT the 02 fuel rails ( returnless vs no return system)
Install the coil pack mounts ans take off the COP's.

basically you are putting your upper eletrical harness and fuel rails on the 02 engine.

for 500 you cant beat that for an 02 gt PI engine, hell pull the stock 98 engine apart and maybe build on that while you use the 02 engine.

Heck, you cant even put PI heads/cams/intake on a NPI block for $500. and with the lower compression and groved pistons, you can put larger cams in that sucker.

 

[smasher41]

Dollarbill...That is the best write-up for information I'm looking for. The car is red and has the manual 5 speed.

Here is what I'm wondering. If the "Short Block" is easily swapable from the 2002 to the 1998? However...I will look into more about the coil packs and ect to swap for the up-grades.

no need for messing with the short block, long block complete is what you should be looking at.

the coil packs are individualy threaded on the intake and all you need to do is remove them with a screw. the power harness in the 98gt will need to be reused.

 

[33rowdy]

Thanks SMASHER! Keep the info comming!

 

[SMOKE]

Yea .. good info and a great lead in to the project if that's what you're looking for.
Reason I ask is simply; how much work is it worth to you? Wasn't sure if you were racing or daily driving the car .... so just wanted to get a clue because as you can imagine the options are numerous.

As for swap info; SMASHER is all over it. Good luck!
:bigthumbsup

 

[red98gt]

If i were u i would buy the car because the 94-98 body style is the best:shiny: then buy the 02 engine (if it is in good condition) do the pi swap because taking the engine out is a pain in the a** without proper resources. you can do the pi swap with the block still in the car. you will have youself a sweet lookin car faster than the stock 99-04. thats my two cents

 

[VWSurfer]

I just bought an excellent 98 stang convert, black on black for $4500, it has 122,000 miles but had a new 4.6l engine put in and a new top, my question is should I be driving under 70 mph?

 

[smasher41]

I just bought an excellent 98 stang convert, black on black for $4500, it has 122,000 miles but had a new 4.6l engine put in and a new top, my question is should I be driving under 70 mph?

Drive it as fast as your comfortable with. remember its easy to lose the backend of the stang, had a couple of friends lose a car messing around before they learned the car.
If the engine is new... dont redline it and bounce off the rev limiter everywhere you go, and do frequent oil changes until its broken in ( every 3k at most)