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Jan 13, 2018 | 04:15 PM

jim dorociak

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thoughts please

I posted in the Super Duty section, but this engine area maybe a better place. I bought a 2003 F250 XLT with 5.4 2V 218,000 - everything under hood looks brand new, but I am in So California, so that is to be expected. It originally had a miss, but before I could even test drive it the owner said it now was smoking heavily. Bought it anyway thinking that it was in need of a new motor. It is bellowing white smoke - water only currently in radiator, so it is either one or both head gaskets. 9 years ago I purchased a used motor from lowflyingbird on one of the forums. He said the motor had a remanufactured tag on the block and that it was a 5.4 engine. This was to go into a 97 F150 project, but truck got sold and engine stayed in storage all these years until now. So I am faced with throughly evaluating my stored 5.4 engine or doing what is necessary to get the engine in the F250 fixed. One side of me says put the rebuild 5.4 in, but history on this one is only hearsay and the original one was 218,000 - anybody got some thoughts on what you would do and why? Thanks - my mechanic skill set is a little rusty but looking forward to getting my hands dirty. Jim

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Jan 13, 2018 | 07:23 PM

z31freakify

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From: Las Cruces New Mexico

Run a compression test on the engine thats on the truck first, and a coolant pressure test to determine if its not a cracked head or block.