ford 4.6

[mikey46]

Hi, do you know if anyone has fitted a 4.6 ford engine to a boat? also do you know who would be best to contact for exhaust manifolds/ marinising parts.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: ford 4.6

Howdy,


Well, it might be a little better if you're a bit more specific.

Ford has not been producing marine engines (and no manufacturer used them) since around the mid-late 90's or so I think.......


What exactly is the "4.6L" engine used in?

EDIT: That's the "Modular" engine I believe..... I could be mistaken. but I don't think anyone makes jacketed manifolds for it. I think you would have to get "one-off" manifolds to use it in an enclosed engine compartment..... (big $$$ unless you make them yourself....)


What kind of a boat and stern drive/transmission/etc do you want to connect it to?


What part of the world are you in? (UK?)


Cheers,


Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: ford 4.6

do you know if anyone has fitted a 4.6 ford engine to a boat?

Nope,... Nothin' I've ever seen, nor heard of...

 

[mikey46]

Re: ford 4.6

Hi,
I'm in the uk, I am rebuilding a boat that was originally fitted with a v8 in the 70's then when i got it it had a seized 3.0 merc, i have got a 1.5:1 mercruiser leg so have decided to put it back to a v8. In my garage I have a 4.6 v8 from a 97 Mustang gt that i planned to put in my range rover but never got round to so thought it would be a good candidate for the boat. It has the pi heads etc so should be pushing out approx 260HP and 300Lb-ft. i have sorted out how to join it to the transom so just need to out the rest.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: ford 4.6

It's going to be a rather steep "up-hill" battle I'm afraid.

Was the engine that you removed a GM V-8?

You will have several problems using the modular Ford V-8.

I believe there is a transom plate and flywheel housing for certain ford engines. (I don't know if they will fit the Modular.....the auto transmissions for Ford engines have different bell housings if you have a Modular[V-8/V-10], 351/302/300-6, 460, etc.)

While you can probably find a marine alternator to fit, you may have difficulty obtaining a starter unless one of the older ford type starters will bolt-on...

The ignition system will not be SAE J-1171 compliant unless you can put a marine distributor on it. (nor will the EFI system....) [I'll bet there's UK regulations concerning marine engines and components that is equal to or more restrictive than USCG regs etc....)

Your current automobile camshaft is designed for a different torque curve and may be subject to reversion.

You will have to fabricate jacketed exhaust manifolds and connections to either "thru-hulls" or the existing y-pipe.

The EFI system may require a return fuel line to the tank (USCG regs prohibit that....Donno about UK regs....)


Anything is "Do-able" with enough money.............but why try to "re-invent the wheel" when there is already wheels available "off-the-shelf"?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: ford 4.6

You would have to fabricate all sorts of stuff to make it work, to the point where it would blow your mind, lol. If you want to keep the Ford power, get a 302 or 351w to use with the outdrive. The 4.6L's ECU alone would give you fits trying to convert it to closed-loop (no O2 sensors) and an appropriate MAF. The exhaust manifolds would have to be one-off custom as was mentioned. There is a whole host of things that would become an absolute nightmare for you. The 302/351w package will put out more power and be a much cheaper/more simple set up if that's the direction you want to go.

The 4.6L uses COPs, so I don't think the EFI/ignition would be against USCG regs, but the alternator/starter would definitely be out of regulation.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: ford 4.6

A 4.6 is a low touqe motor at the low end of the power band...5.4 would be the engine to choose..Most of the tourqe right off idle...Then you have to mate it up to the drive...GM cheap easy and great motors

 

[mikey46]

Re: ford 4.6

thanks for all your input. might look out for a 4.2 merc instead. the gt engine is easily doable but not sure its a good idea. the mounting plate, headers, alternator and starter are easy enough, the engine has been painstakingly re sensored to run with a range rover 4.6 ecu that has been re programmed to remove the security and maf/o2 sensors so runs on a preset fuel map but i think in view of the regs covering boats and my ability to insure a one off boat i will put a proper marine engine in it.
Thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: ford 4.6

might look out for a 4.2 merc instead.

Ayuh,... It's 4.3,.... Chevy based, 262cid...
96 or later pickup truck or van motor is Ideal...