It appears that my 5.4 has seen better days. Head gasket is bad. It has 227k miles so I am considering a swap and looking at some low mileage used motors. I did find a low mileage (67k) motor nearby but it has a rod knock. Price is near free (friend). For those who have had rod knocks have you been able to just do the bottom end bearings etc and all was good? I would be fine to go through it but do not have the bucks for top to bottom rebuild as in new pistons etc. would rather just swap with good runner.
Otherwise what year engines are a direct swap and what should I stay away from?
Are these fairly easy to tear down and reassemble?

Any tricks to pulling the motor?

Thanks folks

 

If it has a rod knock... dont mess with it. keep looking for something better. i just finished a v10 rebuild and i still have problems with getting it running top notch. i have about $1500 in it which isnt bad. but at this point i wish i would have just swapped motors instead.

 

If the head gasket is the only issue, I would just replace it and keep on truckin'.

If you are set on an engine swap, try car-part.com and you will find a ton in your area some as low as 1,000 with fairly low miles (compared to yours).

Here's just a few:

2003 F250 Super Duty RAN GREAT 114,991 miles $1,100
Brothers Auto Parts 317-352-1681

2004 F250 Super Duty RAN GREAT 110,776 miles $1,100
Brothers Auto Parts 317-352-1681

2002 F250 Super Duty 150,776 miles $1,100
Bill Smith Auto Parts 800-252-3005

 

Thanks for the info. With some oil leaks and the miles I would rather swap then just replace the head gaskets. I have been checking Car Part and also Craigslist and found a few.
Will a 2004 Lincoln Navigator engine work fine? Is mine a 2v or 3v and will going to 3v be fine?
Any problem with a 2003 F150 5.4L? I assume engines were the same, but maybe not?

 

I have no clue about interchanging or when the 5.4 went to 3 valves. The folks over in the SD gas V8 section could probably help.

 

How about a Jasper rebuilt long block?

 

Are you positive it is a rod knock? Has the engine been run without oil?