What are problems to look for? I have found an F350 with the 5.4. What are the biggest issues with this engine? I really need some expert advice on what is a good truck tpo buy.

 

What year is the truck? The early 5.4's(up to around late '02)had issues with the spark plugs popping out of the head due to there not being enough threads, but out of all the 5.4's I've seen in the affected years I've never actually seen one pop a plug. Plus the problem only really arises when the plugs are changed and aren't torqued properly. I think Ford had some head issues with the 5.4 during the '99 model year. Other than that the 2v 5.4 is a pretty good engine, but is a little low on power in a large truck like the SD.

When Ford switched to the 3v design in '04 the 5.4's had issues, the plugs are two piece and would break off in the head and there are issues with the cam phasers knocking at idle. The plug issue isn't really as big of a deal now since there are tools to extract the broken plugs out of the head and most people know enough about the problem to take their time changing plugs, which helps a lot. The cam phaser knock is pretty common on the '04-'06 engines and ford claims that it won't hurt anything, but people say otherwise. I had a '05 that had the knock since new and it never really got loud enough to warrant me to get it fixed and I've never had any trouble with the engine or felt it was enough of an issue to keep from selling the truck to my dad.

By '07-'08 most of the cam phaser issues were fixed and Ford did redesign the plugs but I can't remember what year. Both my '05 and my wifes old '07 5.4 were trouble free for the 70k we had them, but the engine in the '07 was a lot smoother and quiet running than my '05 and had more power. I think for the most part the '09+ 5.4's were trouble free and a lot of people hated to see the engine retired.

If you don't plan on doing a lot of towing the 5.4 should be ok in the CC SD, but don't expect to win any races or get outstanding fuel economy.