My truck is pretty much only used to pull my 29 foot travel trailer and I put only about 5000 miles on it a year.

My 2005 5.4L 3v needs a valve job on the #8 cylinder. Ford did an inspection and found some wear (not a lot) on those braces that hold the cam on the head - Can't remember what they are called, I'm having a brain fart.

Ford gave me some options - Both of which were way too expensive for me to get the work done at Ford. They say either repair and replace the current head along with new phasers on both sides, get a remanufactured head, or get a long block engine.

The cheaper option is a valve job. But, I know if I have a valve done job I need to replace the phasers, etc. With that included it would only cost me about $1500 more to just get a long block installed, which includes rebuilt heads, updated cam phasers, upgraded oil pump, new timing chain, new water pump, etc. It appears the long blocks are designed to alleviate the problems inherent in this engine.

Would it be worth it to put in a rebuilt engine? Or, would a valve job keep the truck running well for another 80,000 miles? And, having been the victim of bad shops in the past, is there less chance of a mechanic screw up replacing the entire engine than there is in having them do a valve job on this engine?

Also, what roughly should I expect to pay someone other than Ford for the valve job or long block install? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Oh, this might be important. Ford suspects that the mechanic that changed the plugs left a piece in the cylinder and that probably caused the problem with the valves - He could see no cylinder damage when he scoped it. Water under the bridge since there is no way to prove it, plus it would have probably happened if I did it myself.

 

I'd go long block and you're done, that simple

 

So you have low compression ? You have a noise ? You have no power ? What exactly does it do ? What is the consequence of doing nothing ?

 

75 pounds compression on #8. Very rough idle, no power when towing.