Alright guys, this will be off topic slihgtly but i need the help of my Excursion bothers and sisters ASAP.

My '98 Expedition 5.4 V8 has the typical spark plug popping issue. I bought the truck in 2010 at 63K miles and right before i bought it it blew the #4 cylinder plug. The previous owners had it repaired at a local shop and they used a helicoil. I made it to 110,000 miles on that repair when it blew the same plug for a second time. I had a shop repair it, also believe a helicoil was used in March 2015.

Fast forward to today, it blew for a 3rd time. I've been debating on selling the truck so the the timing could not have been worse. I attempted the Dorman cheapy fix tonight but the hole is so big there is no way it can work...so i'm up a creek without a paddle at the moment.

I need to repair this cheaply but with reasonable thought it will hold up for a new owner.

I found a "Big-Sert" time sert kit but it looks like a PITA (might be my only option)...how would you go about fixing this given the background?


Help me decide what to do, the truck is wayyyy to nice to not get running...I don't want to do the head because it is not cost effective. I'm buying another car to replace this very soon and need to figure out what i can do.

Opinions please!! Sorry for the slightly off topic issue but I know it's common and I trust you guys.

Thanks

 

Aluminum insert is the only best way to repair the hole.

Stewart

 

Like so?
++ BIG-SERT Oversized Spark plug thread repair kits ++ spark plug thread repair for oversized holes previously repaired spark plug holes threads stripped



Way better then the $2,350 quote i got for a new head and timing chains....

 

The standard Timesert Triton inserts are steel, not aluminum. Timesert indicates that aluminum inserts are appropriate (and available) for racing applications that include nitro.

For Ford Triton engines, do not use the "Big-Sert"s although much of the tooling is the same as in the 5553 set. Use the 5553 kit or, for last chance repairs where the hole is too large for the 51459 insert, the Ford 5600 kit.

++ TIME-SERT, problem FORD 1L2E heads use p/n 5553 ++
++ Ford Spark plug Repair ++, ford spark plug blow outs, blow out spark plug ejection blow out, blown out sparkplugs, ford stripped spark plug, ford sparkplug blow outs, spark plug blow out ford, ford defects, ford spark plug repair ford, ford spark

Triple-oversize options, if needed:
Ford 5600 kit: Standalone kit for hole larger than standard 51459 (16.8 mm).
Ford 5588 kit: Includes add-on tools to use with 5553 kit. You must have both!

Using the Timesert kit 5553 isn't difficult. I have one I rent out for DIYers. The usually feedback I get is the same as my first experience with it - "Wow, that wasn't anywhere near as difficult as I though it would be".

If you don't want to tackle this yourself, call around and find a shop that uses either the Snap-On or CalVan inserts as they're automatically equivalent to the "triple-oversize" Timeserts.

#4 is the biggest PITA to replace, expect to pay extra for it due to additional labor as compared to one of the front ones that face forward.

 

I'm going to do some calling around today and see what a few people have to say. I know I don't want to dump more then $500 into it at this point.

If not i'll attempt it myself i suppose, as much as i don't want to…

 

Reps for including the always helpful part numbers in your post!

Stewart

 

That is one mighty helpful and information filled post. I hope I never need to use that info though! Reps sent!

 

Time cert kits are only 400 on Amazon and with research and YouTube vids u can do it

 

I decided to call the place that did it last time, it's going in Monday. I need to get it running shined up and sold.

Thanks guys!