That sounds like a leak in the manifold gasket. They get louder, as the cylinder exhaust pressure gets higher, which is what happens when you have your foot down. I just replaced the header gasket on my 5.0, which was doing the same thing. Noise gone.

I've never heard an injector make a noise like that, but if it was me, I would take it somewhere and have them check the plugs to see if any are loose. Maybe the person selling the truck would agree to have the head inspected first if you offer selling price. Just a thought, and cheap insurance.

 

It is possible. You would need larger cams and better rod bolts. The DOHC versions as in the Mach1 and Cobra's will turn 7000rpm all day long!!!

 

ISn't the 4.6 based roughly on the old 289 engine? The 5.4 is a totally new engine design from Ford, correct?

Since it's overhead cam does that mean it has timing chains or timing belts?

My stepdad [retired GM employee] has a Chebbie 5.3 (the old 327) in his Sliverado 1500 truck. Trailer towing package and 4WD.

 

The 4.6 and 5.4 are modular engines, meaning that many of the same parts fit both engines. The 5.4 block is identical to the 4.6 except the deck is taller, providing a longer stroke which produces the additional displacement.

 

The 5.0 is from the engine family that began with the 221 V8 found in the 1962 Fairlane. It quickly grew to 260 and 289 and then to 302 (5.0) in about 1968. The same basic engine had the deck raised to accomodate a longer stroke to become the 351Windsor. Over the years the 302 displacement of this family was probably the most widely used.

The 4.6 and 5.4 are a COMPLETELY different engine family from the 302. There is probably not a single part that would interchange from the modular family to the old 221 through 351W family.

Have a great day,
Doc

 

And the 5.3L in the Chevy is nothing like the old 327 of yesteryear. it is a totally new design like the LS1 and LT1. Different block and heads.
The Modular engines use long tining chains that go from the crank to the cam gears in the heads. 1 chain per side.

 

You're joking; right???

You KNOW your stepdad's 5.3 shares NOTHING with "the old 327"????

Why would you think a SOHC, small bore, deep skirt, cross bolted 4.6l engine would even be remotely related to the 289???

I swear I'm not flaming, just trying to figure out why you would think this.


BTW, the 4.6, 5.4, 6.8 all use timing chains........fair question.



Sorry, LXman. Didn't see the 2nd page.

 

I have a 99 4.6 with around 75,000 on it. I did buy this truck used, with around 60,000 on it.

I believe that blowing plugs is mainly an issue with the 5.4 and the V10 engines. I still took mine to a local Ford dealer and had them do a plug change for me, a couple thousand miles ago.

One thing to check, with your truck, is the steering linkage, as there was a notice sent to all F-150 owners, of trucks around our vintage, they are prone to tie-rod end and Pitman arm end failures, which can be a very dangerous situation to put yourself into, if these fail, while on the road. There is a specific prodedure, from Ford, as how to check these items. You can do it yourself, a local front-end shop can do it, or any Ford dealer can check these parts for you.

While a local front-end shop was checking mine, I found out I needed a lower ball joint, on the right front. This is another common problem/wear issue with the 97 and later F-150's. When built, Ford used a lot of non-grease zerk suspension components on its trucks. Go figure!

I really like the economy of the 4.6, as I can get 20 mpg on most trips, with my supercab.

 

I have a 97 F-150 with the 4.6 engine and it has over a 144k miles on it. It runs good, tows what I need to tow and will get 21 to 22 mpg on the highway, in the summer with the AC running. I have had to have my front rotors turned, new pads and new lower ball joints but that's it so far. I bought it over 3 years ago and it had 120K on it then.

 

I have a 1997 f-150 4.6 triton with 113k on it. I do the normal preventive maint...filters...plugs and wires at 100k...I run a k&n high flow performance filter and a cat back dual exhaust...get 16mpg city (max)..run the cleanest gas that I can find. clean means more $$ but I do feel a differance in the power when I use better gas.I am having my first problem with it right now,that is why I just found and reg. on this site...one problem(minor one at that) at 116k...cant beat it.

 

I have an 2003 F150, 4.6L Triton with 118000 miles on it, and I'm nervous about taking it to the dealer to change the plugs. They may be the original plugs, but I'm not sure because I had purchased the truck with 59000 miles on it. I would try it myself but I hear the two back plugs are tough to get too. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

This is a really old thread but still relevant.

I have a 99 f150 with the 4.6. I was nervous about changing the plugs but I decided to not let it get the better of me. Turned out to be fairly ordinary. A bit tight - you have to work around the fuel rails and such. It helps to have small hands. Note that you really should take your time and clean around the plug before pulling it. I used compressed air and other tools to get it as clean as possible. You don't want anything falling in to the hole.

Got the plugs from the dealer - I didn't want to do a science experiment.

Allow a couple hours and take your time.

 

Thanks AKCJ apprechiate the input! I was just directed to a local mechanic that has done many of these in the past. We discussed the heads, the torque, and he seemed as if he was on board with all the stuff discussed, and in everything I've read on the subject. He did the the job and charged me $256.00. the truck runs great. He told me as long as the plugs are torqued properly that blowouts should not happen. I hope he's right! I live in Brick NJ, and the Mechanic is Mike at Dorrers on Route 34 in wall NJ.

 

Its both the 4.6 and 5.4 that can have the blow out problem and from what I have read on some other forum and reading some Ford related news, the 5.4 is known to have more of the problems.

 

Hey, I got a 2006 Ford F-150 4.6l V-8 Triton and I love it but it has a lot of power and people usually get the 5.4l but it waste more gas