Hey guys, i have an 07 F250 with the notorious 5.4 3valve. Recently bought the truck and evrything was great for about 1200 miles then sludge began to surface causing massive timing and performance issues. Finally got into bank 1 valve cover and found camshaft bearing caps broken and their respective bolts broken off, and a few followers just laying around loose, and....a thick layer of varnish over everything like creosote. Based on the work and parts required, and my level of expertise, i've ordered a rebuilt long block with updated cam phasers and the melling high volume oil pump. The engine is about 2 weeks from arrival and i thought i would post here for any advice or things i should look out for when doing this swap. I will be doing it at a friend's place who has all the tools and equipment necessary. Ive heard some say pulling the cab is necessary but seen it done on youtube without pulling the cab. Prepared to do so if necessary but planning on not if we can help it. For now I only have 2 specific questions, but any and all advice on doing this is welcome and appreciated.
First question: when swapping out all the pulleys etc., is this engine externally balanced? do i need to do anything specific as far as making sure the new engine is balanced?
Second: i'm on a tight budget (surprise!), and i just had the A/C charged (live in TX)....will i be able to leave the A/C compressor hooked up to the lines and get it out of the way enough, in order to not have to evac/recharge the system?
I have swapped motors before, but not in a few years, and certainly not on anything where the firewall was a foot behind the windshield!
Thanks.