Is that a new head from Ford? We were stuck in Nebraska at the time about 2 years ago.

I agree with the cam sensor or fuel; a timing chain slipping would cause more problems than just a misfire

 

Yes new from Ford...no core. They come complete and assembled. Even come with camshaft. I hate to hear stories like that. I had a guy I work with have similar issues. I tore down the 4.6 motor, found the bad exhaust valve ($70 to fix at machine shop) I put new headgaskets on it while it was torn down and I charged him $212 in labor(8.5hrs). I realize there is overhead at shops but jeex alou, the parts all cost the same. We should drive to work, not work to drive.

 

Wow, I can't believe the heads are that cheap now. Unfortunately we were stuck in North Platte with our tent on wheels behind us, otherwise I would have just used a timesert on it. Oh well. I really should go buy an insert and keep it in the truck. lol

 

the rates they charge now are sky high and the book time thing is stupid

in saskatoon going rate is $80can per hour

my wifes grand mother to her car for oil change at gm dealer and ask to have the signal light changed because it was burnt out she got her bill $1.99 bulb $40 labor plus oil change. i warned her about this know she ask me first.

now out of that $80 per hour what does the mecanic get $25 per hour

 

The heads have been $360-400 for years. Unfortunately the Modular engine has been blown out of proportion when it comes to "difficulty to work on level". I showed my father in law how to set up the timing when I was putting that engine back together and he couldn't believe how easy it was. He has been a pushrod Ford man his whole life. Ford had 10 specialty tools listed, I used 0. Thats why their labor is so high. They wanted me to use a $110 tool that holds the motor at TDC??....the motor won't move unless you turn it by hand. Not only that, if you rotate the cams without the timing chains on, with motor at TDC you will get piston to valve contact.

 

Being that it's a SOHC setup, the timing chain can jump on just one side, and affect only 1 bank (5-8 for example), while the other side is still lined up properly. There are 2 separate cams in this engine.

 

Ok, the mechanic called and todays final diagnosis is that the cam shaft broke. Apparently it broke right after the front cylinder leaving the other three with no moving cam, there by destroying the valves do to contact w/ piston.
He said that a new head would be very expensive to get and then he would have to get all new valves, and cam shaft and assemble them. He recomended just getting a pulled head from somewhere. He found one in south dakota and is having it shipped in for $400 plus shipping. He is then going to have it pressure checked and do likewise with the other head while he is at it. New grand total of about $2400. $800 for used head and all the gaskets, bolts, ect. and 1500+ for labor.

This is getting expensive, damn thing better run for another 10 years without so much as a flat tire after this!

 

AdamSmith was saying that a *new* head is only 400 with camshaft. Sound like you are getting taken to the cleaners there

 

adelyser

your right my head was stuck in first gear thinking before overhead cams thought about it shortly before you posted.

 

^^Uh goldenford, didn't your mechanic say the valves contacted this pistons? If so, you gonna need more than a new head.

 

Rockauto.com says for 99 XP 4.6 $424-449 for a head with core. That come with cam, and ALL valvetrain. I live in Clarence, Iowa, bring the truck to me...thats crazy.The cam broke? Never even heard of such a thing..ever!!! If the cam broke at number 5 cylinder(1st cylinder on driver side) then the other 3 cylinders could not have ALL had PTV contact..thats imnpossible. If they did, then all the PTV cylinders have dents on the pistons. Trust me, I am not a truck professional, but I know Modulars very well, especially 4.6's. Any 4.6 head will work, Mustang etc.

As for parts
Head--$450
Gaskets:
Tell your mechanic to get a head changing kit from a FRPP dealer..$115
comes with head gaskets, head bolts, exhaust manifold gaskets, even new oil dipstick tube.
Intake gaskets-$45
valve covers are reuseable
timing cover is about $20 tops

Adam

 

I'd tell the mechanic not to touch it and have it towed to someone that's not going to bend you over. Nothing he's saying is adding up.

 

goldenford, I see that you are in MN. Where abouts do you live? I am from the Twin Cities but am at school in Fargo.

 

Here is a 4.6 piston when valves smacked into it at idle. This was a broken timing chain, the ONE I have seen.

 

Hey that looks familiar.