OK 4.6 motor Gurus!!!

[lastdaze04]

Just trying to learn more about what Ford had to offer. So here goes with the 1st question?
1. What is the difference between the Teksid block and our 4.6 aluminum block?

2. Did our motor come with the 'cobra crank'?, if not what is in our MM's?

Lots more questions to come later
Thanks
Rick

[fastblackmerc]

Just trying to learn more about what Ford had to offer. So here goes with the 1st question?
1. What is the difference between the Teksid block and our 4.6 aluminum block?

2. Did our motor come with the 'cobra crank'?, if not what is in our MM's?

Lots more questions to come later
Thanks
Rick

The Teksid block is made in Italy, the other 4.6 blocks were made at Windsor Aluminum. The Teksid block is stronger.

Our crank is cast, the Cobra crank is forged... forged is stronger.

[lastdaze04]

The Teksid block is made in Italy, the other 4.6 blocks were made at Windsor Aluminum. The Teksid block is stronger.

Our crank is cast, the Cobra crank is forged... forged is stronger.

So it sounds like our cars have two weak links. Now that explains why some when redoing thier engine are going with the Cobra Crank?

Am I correct when saying that the teksid block is interchangable with our heads?

[sailsmen]

I disagree with "weak links".

The block in our car is good for any HP that has been developed in a Marauder to date.

The crank for the Cobra was for a manual car. Our car is an auto.

Same as the auto and manual Mach I.

When they initially made the block they were not sure how strong to make it.

If there were something to be called a weak link the hyper pistons would qualify. They are high silicone and do not expand allowing low friction, better mileage, and cold quite. They are also brittle.

[Raudermaster]

So it sounds like our cars have two weak links. Now that explains why some when redoing thier engine are going with the Cobra Crank?

Am I correct when saying that the teksid block is interchangable with our heads?

I'm pretty sure they will. Same design, just different materials. If I'm wrong someone correct me.

[Breadfan]

Powdered metal rods are a weak link too.

We have a 6 bolt crank, Cobra an 8 bolt - useful info if you swap simply b/c you'll need to get a 6bolt flexplate.

A good rebulid option would be forged rotation assembly i.e. piston, rods, and crank. Piston and rods being on the top of the list. Another option is the Ford Terminator cobra long block, iron block and forged internals but lower compression (like the '03 cobra) so you'll want to be s/c'ed and upgrade your boost to make up for it.

[GreekGod]

...I think some of the early 4.6 DOHC blocks used in the (front wheel drive) Continentals (a rebadged Taurus chassis), were made in Italy... Regardless where they were cast, they will not bolt up to a rear wheel drive transmission (FWD only).

[Vortech347]

The Stock pistons are horrible....

The stock rods are even worse.... (Read "Iron Fist, Lead foot")

The stock crank is "okay" 500rwhp or so. But not designed for higher (6000rpm) constant abuse.

The stock block is incredible. They are WAP blocks and good for 800hp. Spending the money on a Teksid is a complete waste of time unless your going for that figure or more.

[GreekGod]

The Stock pistons are horrible....

The stock rods are even worse.... (Read "Iron Fist, Lead foot")

The stock crank is "okay" 500rwhp or so. But not designed for higher (6000rpm) constant abuse.

The stock block is incredible. They are WAP blocks and good for 800hp. Spending the money on a Teksid is a complete waste of time unless your going for that figure or more.

Even the mighty General Motors sells "hyper" pistons and powdered metal con-rods in their performance crate engines, so they do have a place in modern EFI computer controlled situation.

Supposedly, the planned supercharged MM for 2005 would have had the un-forged internals, but the forged pistons & rods are well worth the added expense.

[sailsmen]

The S/C Cobra Motor had Forged Pistons.

As usual it's a matter of cost and application.

[lastdaze04]

Now this is what I like. I am absorbing this info like a sponge. I appreciate everyone's response. Now for question number 2, this will be a little more challenging:eek:., and on a new thread.:D

[lifespeed]

It is not unheard of for an iron-block engine to produce more power due to better cylinder sealing and rigidity. I believe General Motors found themselves in this situation with some '90's LS-1 engines, if my memory is correct.

So the consensus is our Al block is fine for high horsepower, say 600 to 700 hp? What specific features provide the needed strength? If so, why the iron block in the Cobra?

[99SVT]

It is not unheard of for an iron-block engine to produce more power due to better cylinder sealing and rigidity. I believe General Motors found themselves in this situation with some '90's LS-1 engines, if my memory is correct.

So the consensus is our Al block is fine for high horsepower, say 600 to 700 hp? What specific features provide the needed strength? If so, why the iron block in the Cobra?

John Coletti, when he was in charge of the Cobra program was having durability issues with the stock Cobra motor internals when the supercharger was added. He was on a tight time frame so he went with what he knew would work: iron block, forged rods, forged pistons. He admits it was overkill, but he didn't want anything delaying the 03 Cobra's release.

The Al blocks are plenty strong, the WAP blocks are doing fine in +700hp motors and the teskid blocks are surviving 1500hp. Most failures are not block related, it's usually pistons, head cooling, rods and crank(rarely) that do in mod motors under boost.