Replace 2004 5.4
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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Replace 2004 5.4
Hello,
I have a 2004 F-150 with 5.4 L engine. It has 160,000 miles and the ticking it has had since new is getting louder. The body and interior is like new and truck has been maintained with synthetics etc so I don't want to scrap it. I'm certain the engine is about done. My mechanic told me that Ford does not offer a compatible shortblock for this year truck and so I would have to buy a shortblock and basically build the entire engine. Jasper offers a stock engine for my truck but as long as I'm replacing it, I wouldn't mind building it to 400 horse or so. Does anyone know if there is an engine builder that will rebuild my motor to that or an aftermarket engine builder that can build one compatible with my truck???? I live in the Detroit area. Thanks. Bill
I have a 2004 F-150 with 5.4 L engine. It has 160,000 miles and the ticking it has had since new is getting louder. The body and interior is like new and truck has been maintained with synthetics etc so I don't want to scrap it. I'm certain the engine is about done. My mechanic told me that Ford does not offer a compatible shortblock for this year truck and so I would have to buy a shortblock and basically build the entire engine. Jasper offers a stock engine for my truck but as long as I'm replacing it, I wouldn't mind building it to 400 horse or so. Does anyone know if there is an engine builder that will rebuild my motor to that or an aftermarket engine builder that can build one compatible with my truck???? I live in the Detroit area. Thanks. Bill
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10,459
Likes: 10
From: RVA
Hello,
I have a 2004 F-150 with 5.4 L engine. It has 160,000 miles and the ticking it has had since new is getting louder. The body and interior is like new and truck has been maintained with synthetics etc so I don't want to scrap it. I'm certain the engine is about done. My mechanic told me that Ford does not offer a compatible shortblock for this year truck and so I would have to buy a shortblock and basically build the entire engine. Jasper offers a stock engine for my truck but as long as I'm replacing it, I wouldn't mind building it to 400 horse or so. Does anyone know if there is an engine builder that will rebuild my motor to that or an aftermarket engine builder that can build one compatible with my truck???? I live in the Detroit area. Thanks. Bill
I have a 2004 F-150 with 5.4 L engine. It has 160,000 miles and the ticking it has had since new is getting louder. The body and interior is like new and truck has been maintained with synthetics etc so I don't want to scrap it. I'm certain the engine is about done. My mechanic told me that Ford does not offer a compatible shortblock for this year truck and so I would have to buy a shortblock and basically build the entire engine. Jasper offers a stock engine for my truck but as long as I'm replacing it, I wouldn't mind building it to 400 horse or so. Does anyone know if there is an engine builder that will rebuild my motor to that or an aftermarket engine builder that can build one compatible with my truck???? I live in the Detroit area. Thanks. Bill
You might be in for new phasers, and not a new engine.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 680
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From: Michigan
I'm also in the Detroit area. I just R&R'd my 04 motor with a complete engine with less miles. I have 153K on my original motor, but I ended up breaking 7 plugs off in the heads. Then I broke the Lisle tool off on #5! I would also like to build up my motor, but with a blower. But we have a lot of speed shops around the area, I would just visit several of them and find one that you like. But if it's just the phasers, that's a fairly easy swap.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 29
From: Raleigh USA
My mechanic told me that Ford does not offer a compatible shortblock for this year truck and so I would have to buy a shortblock and basically build the entire engine.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 29
From: Raleigh USA
Phasers sounds like a rod knock at hot idle. You prob have a bad lash adjuster or possibly a loose spark plug or blown out exhaust gasket. It could be a noisy injector. Can you narrow it down to one side or does it sound the same from both sides?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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Spark Plugs
I've listened to videos on UTube people have posted and my tick sounds more like a ticking sound. Not so deep. It's not an exhaust leak. One thing though.....because of the issues I've heard people have when they change spark plugs, I've never changed mine. As I said, I have plenty of power and engine runs smoothly. My mechanic told me he would charge $500 to replace spark plugs because they would probably break. Could spark plugs be bad if engine runs great and if so, could this noise come from that????
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Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: RVA
You have 160k miles on the stock plugs? Holy ***** batman.
I'm not trying to impune you in any way, but if you've gone this long, regardless of how the well running the truck felt to you, I'm now curious of your other maintenance habits. It could be your injectors ticking. It's likely the phasers though as your year, the first year, was the worst as far as the cam phasers (by 06 they had worked out most of the bugs with phasers). Your truck is probably ticking because it's angry with you for not giving it new plugs and wires amongst other things. Just my $.02 and I know I'm making assumptions.
I do hope you get your ticking resolved. I know from experience how annoying it is ('99 Explorer with the 302, sounded horrible but ran well, and was all but rebuilt)
I'm not trying to impune you in any way, but if you've gone this long, regardless of how the well running the truck felt to you, I'm now curious of your other maintenance habits. It could be your injectors ticking. It's likely the phasers though as your year, the first year, was the worst as far as the cam phasers (by 06 they had worked out most of the bugs with phasers). Your truck is probably ticking because it's angry with you for not giving it new plugs and wires amongst other things. Just my $.02 and I know I'm making assumptions.
I do hope you get your ticking resolved. I know from experience how annoying it is ('99 Explorer with the 302, sounded horrible but ran well, and was all but rebuilt)
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 29
From: Raleigh USA
Its probably a noisy injector or lash adjuster. I wouldn't let your mechanic change the plugs you can prob get it done for cheaper than 500 at a dealer and by now most dealer techs know how to take them out without breaking all of them. Is the noise louder on one side? If it seems the same on both sides its prob the injectors. If you can narrow it down to one bank then it could be a loose plug or bad lash adjuster. If you can narrow it down take the coils out on that side and if any have carbon on them then that plug is loose.
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FYI
Yes, all maintenance was done on time except plugs. All fluids changed....oil, trans, rear end, front end, radiator etc etc. My engine compartment is running out of places to log. Im just not sure I want to spend 500 dollars to change plugs if engine is getting ready to implode.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2010
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Buy the Lisle tool then change the plugs. Removing a broken one is a ten minute job no more. Add a couple of hours for cleaning, vacuuming, soaking etc and you'll change the plugs in 4 hours tops. At 160.000 miles they won't be gapped correctly anymore and you're COPs will be working overtime to compensate.
Ed
Ed
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 144
From: SE Georgia
change the plugs yourself with the Lisle tool. cost you about $200 total. not a hard just.
if the motor implodes, buy one from Ford. The 5.4 3v is available everywhere. If your mechanic can't find one...he has an agenda then in my opinion.
as far as making power, keep the motor completely stock. just install cams. you can get Ford Racing Hot Rod Cams for about $700. With custom tuning, they will add around +30 to +40 HP.
If you have the budget, the Roush Supercharger is AMAZING. That adds +145 HP. Combine the 2 goodies for about $5,000 and you are talking about a 500-550 crank HP truck...so about 450 rear wheel HP.
if the motor implodes, buy one from Ford. The 5.4 3v is available everywhere. If your mechanic can't find one...he has an agenda then in my opinion.
as far as making power, keep the motor completely stock. just install cams. you can get Ford Racing Hot Rod Cams for about $700. With custom tuning, they will add around +30 to +40 HP.
If you have the budget, the Roush Supercharger is AMAZING. That adds +145 HP. Combine the 2 goodies for about $5,000 and you are talking about a 500-550 crank HP truck...so about 450 rear wheel HP.
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