I wanted to know what you guys think about having a local Ford dealership swap my non-PI 98' 5.4L for the newer PI 03' 5.4L. I am going to prep the 03' 5.4L by removing the exhaust manifolds first and just have the dealer cut the collector studs off the old motor since the engine is coming out and won't be used again by me. I'm a 24/7 caregiver for my Mom and it doesn't seem like I'll get the time this summer to do it myself especially with it raining every other day up here. What do you think the old 2V engine would be worth to someone interested, still runs smooth but low on power and oil turns black quickly. Heads in great shape, SP threads tight.

It seems to me that the Ford dealership with all their knowledge and resources could do it faster than a private shop possibly at a higher cost, maybe $800.00 to $1000.00 for the labor I'm not sure? Since they work on these trucks all the time and would probably do a much better job? I need my truck to get her house fixed up and bring her out fishing and camping as much as I can in her final years.

I could really use some knowledgable opinions.
Thanks.

 

No takers ha? Well after a few phone calls, one Ford dealer wants $2000.00 to do it. The other Ford dealer in the area says they won't do it at all do to the fact that they wouldn't be able to warranty work installing a used engine. A local garage that happens to favor Fords will do it for $1200.00 - $1500.00 to get it running all fluids filled, misc. parts, and shop fees. that guy told me the engines are in there so tight that they have to remove the intake manifolds on all 4.6 and 5.4L F150's to get then in and out. They will be happy to do it though.

He also informed me that on my recent 70 miles trip home with a failed COP that the CPU also turns off the injector on the miss firing cylinder so as not to harm the catalytic converters. Hope he right about that, it will save me from buying new ones. I'll have them checked out anyways while it's there as soon as I figure out how to get it off the garage floor in shipping crate and strapped into the bed of my truck alone?

 

so you want the dealership to ruin the motor you want to sell by cutting the exhaust studs flush with the head?

On top of that you've been driving around with known issues...




you're lucky they even gave you a quote

 

And how would they cut the exhaust studs flush with the head, cut up the cast iron manifold? As I implied the dealer will not be doing it. A lot of people are forced to drive around for periods of time with known issues, I don't have a gold lined wallet. It's currently parked for the time being, till I can get the truck and newer engine over to the second shop I mentioned that would be happy to do the swap and also favor Fords.

 

Being a full time care giver is tough...especially when you got to be the parent to your parent. My Prayers are with you on that!

you probably could get it done (the motor swap) more economically at a trusted local garage. If you have the equipment at home to do it...invite a few buddies that you know over and do it there, a solid week end should get done....even if you are not completely involved...just over see the project, so that you can still care for your parent. but that might more stress to your plate, where as, just having a shop do it is better allowing you to focus on one thing being easier to deal with.

Oh BTW...there is home care services available to aid in care for a loved one when your not able to...but you probably already are aware of that.

 

BFTUFF, I understand what you meant bu "cutting off the collector studs" seems reasonable to me. I would recommend going with the local shop. It gets money back into your community and I feel they will give you better service in the long run.

 

Thanks, it's a 24/7/365 job and not easy. They took care of me and now I'm taking care of them, at least my Mom now. Dad passed in 05' we both took care of him for 7 years, add another 9.5 for my Mom since then. The rest of the family does there own thing. Mom asked me and I promised I would so she could live in her own home till God calls her. I just started having someone coming once a week to help keep her clean. She's doing very well considering her age and medical condition.

Also beautiful rides through the forest logging roads which my Mother loves as do I. We always see lots of wild life and do a little road hunting in the fall for grouse. The other day we stopped and watch a Bull Moose eat cattail shoots & tubors for 20 mins. at about 15 yds. A young healthy bull and boy was he hungry. She really loved that. She doesn't want to be put in one of those homes, that's for sure! I'm keeping her free till the last as she requested. I'll have a life again someday, though I don't mind taking care of her one bit. Not many offspring get that chance or are willing. The Lords in control so I'll keep kicking *** and roll!

Yep, going to have the local shop do it. I'd really rather do it myself as I'd done most of my life for me, and many others. It's peace of mind knowing somethings done right the first time! can't wait to get it done, because we really need it to tow the boat, trailers, hauling, lumber, home repair etc.......

 

I'm really floored by how much things cost these days. Considering that, what these guys what is reasonable considering my situation and what others want $. Plus I'll have an extra bunch of HP I never had before with the newer 03' PI engine, headers, and E-fans, plus the power I've lost in the OE engine over time. I'll still be very involved in the process. I'm a stickler for thoroughness, quality control, and craftsmanship. The right parts torqued and installed the right way. This baby's getting Mobile 1 all the way for another couple hundred thousand miles I hope. I'll use the stock 98' cpu tune and even try the Edge Evolutions programs #3 to get back to what Fords 03' cpu had going on. I was told that all the electrical connections/sensors etc.. need to be transferred over from the 98' Non-PI to the newer 03' PI and there should be no problems from the other forum posts I've read, we'll see? I'll need a new Ford EGR air tube, hope it's stainless steel so lasts?

 

the reason the intake has to come off is the lifting bracket that is used bolts up underneath where the intake would be.

 

Something else I need to know. I checked today at Ford and there are two different EGR air tubes between the 98' and 03' models. The parts guy couldn't tell me what the difference was, but I need to know which will fit and what the difference is. He also couldn't tell me whether it was SS or not. I imagine it must be, being made of such thin metal or it would rust off in short order. My OE tube is still intact yet may fall apart when trying to remove it?

97'-98' F75Z9D477AE $131.00
or
99'-03' XL3Z9D477BA $85.00

 

The EGR tubes attach to the EGR valve differently. The Valves on the 97 - 2002 are different than the 2003 and 2004 on the 4.6 engines so I would think something similar on the 5.4s as well. they both attach to the exhaust manifold the same, just differently at the valve. The tube is stainless but the threaded coupling is steel, and that is what fails over time.

 

So it sounds like the 03' 5.4L EGR tube may fit. The difference being the location of the EGR valve on the composite manifold of the 03' model compared to the aluminum manifold on the 97' - 00'. They're may be a difference in height also. I wonder if either manifold is and or sits higher than the other making the difference?

 

no, it's not stainless


and it's kinda obvious which tube you need to use

 

Yes it is stainless for the tube. I just replaced mine with an OEM Ford part. The one that came off and the one that went on are both Stainless, but the thread clamp is steel.

 

The reason I asked which will fit is that the exhaust manifolds are both different part numbers and may have different bung hole locations for the air tube to mount to from 98' - 03'. Outside of being able to hold one of each in each hand and compare them, I have no idea what changes Ford made to them. I do though? remember the latter manifold had a bit better plenum design than the earlier, but could be mistaken.