I am currently getting things prepared to swap an engine into my 2002 Explorer. The original engine, a Romeo (Code W) 2 valve aluminum 4.6L is dead at 186,005 miles.

The donor engine is from a 2001 Mustang GT, also a Romeo engine. The Explorer to Mustang 4.6L swap is a popular upgrade with the Mustang guys, since the Explorer block is aluminum and much lighter. For the purpose of cost savings, I am doing the reverse of this swap. I do not mind the added weight.

I understand that one of the items I need to swap over from my old engine is the timing cover. I do not understand why I have to change this cover over, but every post about the swap says it is required, so I will be doing it too. My original timing cover is pretty ugly. Should I just clean this with regular engine degreaser, or is there something else out there that would work best?



Here are the rest of the pictures of my original engine: Ford SOHC V8 Engine Failure

 

I would think the reason for swapping the timing cover is so all your accessories will blot up in the proper place!

Try some oven cleaner, that should take off that oily crap.

 

What he said, OR Wesley's tire cleaner, and the car wash. That stuff works well. I use it often. #1, Use it full strength, don't dilute it, it won't work. #2, Don't breath the spray from the bottle, it will make your kids be born necade...LOL. All joking aside don't huff it, it is pretty potent stuff. I use it because a spray bottle of it it less than 3 bucks at Wally World, it works good too. You can clean your tires too. It does a lovely job of bug removal at the car wash too. It does take the wax off though, if you wax your truck, be aware of that, and don't leave it sit on your vehicle either. Spray it on then wash it off... Oven cleaner is expensive.