what do you think?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 27
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From: Mont Vernon, NH
what do you think?
hey guys, so i have a '98 F-150 with the 4.6L, and i had posted many topics about hesitation. well i guy i work with took the truck for a little, did a compression test and came to the conclusino that it was a leaky head gasket. This motor has 161,000 on it. if i change the leaky head gasket, how long would that take to do myself? i've got plenty of help and people who know what they're doing, as well as the tools.
however, if i change the head gasket that probably means that other parts of the motor are going to start breaking, or loosen up, like the timing chain becomong sloppy or piston slap.
im just trying to get an idea of what you guys think would be a smart move. if i was to go for a motor swap then i was thinking i would up grade it to a 5.4L, or maybe a mustang motor.
lemme know what you guys think,
thanks,
Garrett
however, if i change the head gasket that probably means that other parts of the motor are going to start breaking, or loosen up, like the timing chain becomong sloppy or piston slap.
im just trying to get an idea of what you guys think would be a smart move. if i was to go for a motor swap then i was thinking i would up grade it to a 5.4L, or maybe a mustang motor.
lemme know what you guys think,
thanks,
Garrett
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 124
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From: Kabetogama, MN
It is a tough call but if you have had the truck for a while and got a lot of good use out of it, I would do the gasket repair (possibley at a shop as to allow a hopefully certified and reputable mechanic inspect for overall soundness) and have a slight tune up done and sell before large issue begin to arise because of age and milage.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 242
Likes: 8
From: Cape Coral USA
overhaul them heads
Now this is just me talking here, but if it were me, and I was going to pull a head to replace the head gasket, I would pull both heads and have them both overhauled. Especially on a motor with 161K on it. With that said, I realize that removing and reinstalling heads on these motors is no small affair (overhead cams and all).
I've never removed and re-installed heads on the newer ford engines but I'm definitely looking forward to the day (i'm kinda sick like that).
~john.
97 f150 supercab 5.4
I've never removed and re-installed heads on the newer ford engines but I'm definitely looking forward to the day (i'm kinda sick like that).
~john.
97 f150 supercab 5.4
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 4
From: waynesville, mo.
ive pulled a bunch of them, and it isnt technically easy. These engines are machined at very close tolerances, and there is very little margin for error. You are allowed .001 in warpage for both the head and block. All you have to do is put a scratch in either surface and you are past that. Ford actually issued us plastic scrapers to clean the surfaces. They paid us to remove the engine first to do head gaskets just so there wouldnt be any chance of us scraping the head on the dowel pins. My advice is to go with a reman 4.6
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