Hey everybody, If you guys don't mind I would like to hear your opinion on what we should do..my dad has a 2002 F-150 XL 4x4 4.6l with 180,000 miles. He bought it new. He bought a new 2013 STX a few months ago so he is selling the 2002. Well the 2002 was missing and we thought it was just the plugs or coils so we change them and it still missed. Well long story short it looks like it has a burnt valve on number 3, we are getting 0 compression on it. Would you think it better to just sell as is or fix it and sell it. Haven't got prices on valve job yet but heard maybe $1200-1500. Does that sound right. The blue book on truck was like 3800. Thanks for your input....Tommy

 

02' & 03' generations are still pretty desirable. Considering that it is a 1 owner, adds to the thought to fix it. but it depends on the condition of the frame and body too. If it is getting to be a rust bucket and going to need extensive body work on top of the mechanical needs...hmmm... then more consideration is certainly needed.

If you folks want something that your not afraid to scratch at this point, and save the 13' a bit from the more dirtier tasks, or just have a back up vehicle...fix the ole girl up.

as far as the price of the head work, yeah that seems about right. BUT at 180k on the ticker...you might be better just to do a swap for some thing with less miles or just drop in a new engine if the body and interior are fine.

really it boils down to your family needs and how much Pa & apparently you like the ole girl

 

^ Can't be said any better, or more complete!

 

KEEP HER!! If you have dirty jobs, she doesn't owe you a cent. Just think of what a ding will cost to repair on that '13. If you do sell her your only looking at a fair 2k if the body/chasis are excellent with the motor work it needs. I paid 1200$ for the truck in my sig @ 186K four months ago, it needed rockers and an upper bj.Sooo....What he said.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I think we will see about swapping the motor. Seems like it will be as cheap or maybe cheaper to do that rather than the heads.

 

You would come out a whole lot cheaper if you could find a pick a part salvage yard and grab a pair of heads for about 50 to75 bucks and have them checked at a machine shop for another 50 bucks or so.

 

I think you are right, after checking on used motors we would be better off redoing the heads. We know this motor since we bought the truck new. Hate to ask a stupid question, but would we have to pull the motor to get the passenger side head off.

Thanks

Tommy

 

Hecks NO you can get both heads off with out pulling the engine BTDT The only thing I would suggest , is don't even think about tackling this job without a torch . You need to heat up the manifold around the bolts to even have a CHANCE of getting them out.

When I did mine (4.2) it got all of them out except one. Wouldn't you know it it had to be the very last one in the back on the right side. But as I said you don't have to pull the engine.