Even a small exhaust leak won't hurt anything. Annoying, but will still drive just fine.

 

I had an exhaust leak for about a year on mine before I got it fixed. Now I have one on the other side. I'll get around to it eventually. I just put in a new sound system probably take a little while before it becomes too annoying.

 

So the big deal about the missing exhaust stud was a bit blown out of proportion by my buddy.

Does the intake manifold have the same issue as the exhaust?

 

Yah blown well out of proportion. I'm actually in a township where there are no emissions and when my pipe popped out I had an awesome exhaust leak for about two weeks (sounded like a diesel lolololol) no but seriously it ran better than it had ever run before, I actually hated fixing it just couldn't bear to listen to it any more. Have had 3 others since then missing 1 or 2 studs and didn't fix them till they became issues and leaked badly. This is a minor issue and pretty standard. And no the intake is not the same, and doesn't exhibit these issues it is strictly an exhaust thing.

 

Alrighty-then

 

i was missing 3 studs on the drivers side but none on the pass side. had small leak untill it was warm. $400 later i had all new studs in the whole thing. not a big issue really.

 

Mine leaks on the driver side now. Once it gets warm it stops. Have to think about getting it done sometime I guess.

 

OK my biggest concern ended up being one that wasnt really. So what am I missing? What is left to ask the owner or that I should pay special attention to upon my next visit (to bring her home)?

 

I just bought a 5.4 X and while it is not fast by any means it has plenty of power for daily driving. I am a bit concerned about 4x4ing in it in tough conditions but we will see. To boost a little more out her I put cat back flowmaster and cold air intake. Going to get a tuner soon as well. Gas is much better from what I've read on the 5.4 then V10 and also heard stories on higher mileage V10 motors blowing and more cost to maintain.
My truck was a little different though: great buy on a super clean truck as all the V 10 seemed to be beat to ***** and she had a new 5.4 liter motor about 25 k miles ago which all lead to my decision.

That all said I current do not tow but will next year so hindsight wish I had the 6.0 PSD model

 

Don't completely discount the 5.4. The problem I see with the 5.4 in the Excursions, is that it required use of the 4R100. A buddy has a 2000 F350 5.4 auto 4x4, and I have a 2002 F350 5.4 ZF-6 4x4 both are CCSB trucks with identical tire sizes. The auto I freely admit is a slug, it down shifts and winds up to get itself going. But my ZF-6 has 2 more gears, and makes for quite a decent all around truck. Now I wouldn't want to tow my 8000 lb travel trailer with it, though it could. That is what I use either a diesel or a V-10 for, but for pulling my boat or carrying my camper it has done quite well, and has been all over Alaska loaded getting 13 mpg on average.

So if you could find a 5.4 ZF-6 Excursion, you could have quite the nice Ex, but since Ford didn't make them, if you want to ever tow more than a small boat or tent trailer, do yourself a favor and get a V-10.

I have the 5.4 F350, a 2005 6.0 Ex, a 2000 V-10 Ex, and a 2000 Supercharged V-10 Ex. I have also owned a 2001 F350 7.3 ZF-6 dually, I am actually selling the 6.0 Ex because of diesel prices here in Alaska...

So after all that... Try a v10, you'll like it. If your not towing try to find one with 3.73 gears, if towing look for one with the optional 4.30 gears.

Good luck on the search!
Garry in Kodiak, AK

 

more to maintain? you mean the extra 2 spark plugs or the extra 2 coils? otherwise the V10 is just a 5.4 with 2 more cylinders.


i've driven both(in excursions and SD's), noticeable seat of the pants power loss with the 5.4. hell its JUST enough in a expedition which weighs alot less then a excursion(still leaves you wanting more sometimes). also my 5.4 expedition(with 87k) only gets about 1.5mpg better average then my V10 does. i cant see a huge difference and have not heard of one between a V10/5.4 in a SD of any kind.

not knocking the 5.4 its a great engine, but the 2V is pretty much maxed out in a super duty platform.

 

Yes I agree. I heard and read when doing research that the 5.4 had longer life than the V10. Mainly I suppose that most used V10's have towed all their life and most likely not been properly maintained. The phrase I kept hearing was they POP Lot quicker. The gas is big at, main consensus 2 more mpg a tank of gas is big over the long haul. Pardon the pun.

As I said though I have a brand new motor and the condition and price was huge for mine. That also said I do wish for more power at times.

 

Got it!
2005 XLT V10 116K miles Oxford White
Pictures to follow...

 

Nice work