5.4 liter heads
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5.4 liter heads
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 3
From: South Kitsap County, WA
It's a FoMoCo factory part... the dealer is yankin' ya. The 4.6/5.4 PI Windsor heads are what you need ('99-'04). Left and right are different part #'s.
Summit is the cheaper alternative. No one makes a true aftermarket pair (I know, we've had that discussion before). The only castings are from Ford, with companies porting and polishing them for better flow characteristics - that's what makes them aftermarket.
Are you looking for a quick fix or for a performer... one way is relatively cheap, the other is pretty pricey.
-Kerry
Summit is the cheaper alternative. No one makes a true aftermarket pair (I know, we've had that discussion before). The only castings are from Ford, with companies porting and polishing them for better flow characteristics - that's what makes them aftermarket.
Are you looking for a quick fix or for a performer... one way is relatively cheap, the other is pretty pricey.
-Kerry
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: nw pennslyvania
have these new heads been upgraded with better/more spark plug threads?i'm debating on new heads for mine,but i don't want to waste the money on heads that could shoot plugs out again! i put a steel insert into mine,and it's holding so far,but i can't trust the truck for any hard/long distant usage.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=thead colSpan=2>Yesterday 02:14 PM</TD></TR><TR title="Post 3725095" vAlign=top><TD class=alt1 align=middle width=125>jiminpa2</TD><TD class=alt2>have these new heads been upgraded with better/more spark plug threads?i'm debating on new heads for mine,but i don't want to waste the money on heads that could shoot plugs out again! i put a steel insert into mine,and it's holding so far,but i can't trust the truck for any hard/long distant usage.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Shoot out a spark plug? I am sorry but I think this was caused by somebody cross threading the plug threads or over or under torque them, cause I am hard on my motor (why they say Ford Tuff) over 5k rpms several times and with a load 106k miles and I have never shot a plug. You could do what a friend of my did when he shot a plug out of his chevy z24 over revving his motor trying to keep up to my stang. JBWELD'ed a helicoil. Worked great he kept running it hard and never had another problem.
Shoot out a spark plug? I am sorry but I think this was caused by somebody cross threading the plug threads or over or under torque them, cause I am hard on my motor (why they say Ford Tuff) over 5k rpms several times and with a load 106k miles and I have never shot a plug. You could do what a friend of my did when he shot a plug out of his chevy z24 over revving his motor trying to keep up to my stang. JBWELD'ed a helicoil. Worked great he kept running it hard and never had another problem.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
mudrnnr79,
Spark plug blowout is a common problem on these trucks, partially due to three or four threads holding the plug. It's not always due to cross-threading...though not everyone has the problem.
I run 10.5psi of boost and haven't had the problem...but some folks who "drive like grandmas" have had the problem.
Spark plug blowout is a common problem on these trucks, partially due to three or four threads holding the plug. It's not always due to cross-threading...though not everyone has the problem.
I run 10.5psi of boost and haven't had the problem...but some folks who "drive like grandmas" have had the problem.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 73
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From: Tucson
Interesting so you are saying we just got lucky? Tell ya the truth I haven't liked the aluminum heads much, steel and aluminum have the different heating and cooling factors so the heads should expand or contract a lot quicker which should cause gasket problems plus with the softer material all the stripping/crossthreading of threads etc.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
The main reason for aluminum heads these days is that the aluminum disipates heat faster and reduces detonation so the manufacturors can run more compression and leaner mixtures on todays crappy fuel. The Modular engines aren't as bad on head gasket problems, but if you talk to a 3.8L or 4.2L owner, they will probably curse the blown head gaskets from the aluminum heads.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,940
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I would consider myself a little paranoid about this plug spitting issue, I tend to check mine every 3-4 months JUST to make sure they are not backing out, I think a little back pain is a fair trade to a $2000 dent in your wallet.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Titanium is much stronger, but it is way to expensive for mass production. So far I know of no one personally that has lost a plug. For every one that you read about here, there are hundreds of thousands trucks that have not blown a plug. The heads and block are separated by the head gasket so other than the head bolts, the corrosion isn't really an issue. Electrolysis of the coolant is more common due to a cast iron block, aluminum heads, aluminum intake coolant crossover, ????? heater core, and aluminum radiator. This will break down the coolant over time. I change mine every 50,000 miles.
All in all, these are good engines. I have towed 7400lbs in 98 degree weather with the a/c on many times and I have had no problems. It never ran over the temp that it always does and runs as good as it did when new at just under 65,000 miles. It doesn't even use any oil between changes. I just wish I had 4.10 gears instead of 3.55's
All in all, these are good engines. I have towed 7400lbs in 98 degree weather with the a/c on many times and I have had no problems. It never ran over the temp that it always does and runs as good as it did when new at just under 65,000 miles. It doesn't even use any oil between changes. I just wish I had 4.10 gears instead of 3.55's
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
I am not trying to **** you off LxMan1 just trying to get people to think and research as I can tell you have a lot of knowledge about these mod motors. If I may I would like to throw another one in there: what are the head gaskets made of? Reverts back to my question about dissimilar metals. Is there a solution having to do with putting an electric charge on the drivetrain part of the reason why there are problems with electolysis. Mainly I work on aircraft Ford vechiles are my hobby that have always been good to me even with how much I have cussed at them sometimes I have never been left stranded suppose I better knock on wood considering the cross country trip that I am about to take.
Oh another note since I havent' figured out everything on this forum I just sold my 89' F250 300-6 that I have had for years used to pull a John Deere 270 skid steer friends trucks etc. 186k with no problems that will be greatly missed.
Oh another note since I havent' figured out everything on this forum I just sold my 89' F250 300-6 that I have had for years used to pull a John Deere 270 skid steer friends trucks etc. 186k with no problems that will be greatly missed.
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