5.4 plug issues
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Hudson Valley, New York
I noticed that the photos say to coat the electrode shell with anti-seize but not the threads. Aren't the heads on a 5.4 3V engine made of aluminum? Steel plug in an aluminum head? I thought that it is carved in stone to use anti-seize with dissimilar metals, as in this case?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 253
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Originally Posted by Hematite
I noticed that the photos say to coat the electrode shell with anti-seize but not the threads. Aren't the heads on a 5.4 3V engine made of aluminum? Steel plug in an aluminum head? I thought that it is carved in stone to use anti-seize with dissimilar metals, as in this case?
Not for one second would I hesitate to use *standard silver anti-seize* on the steel threads going into an Aluminum Cylinder Head!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
Originally Posted by Hematite
I noticed that the photos say to coat the electrode shell with anti-seize but not the threads. Aren't the heads on a 5.4 3V engine made of aluminum? Steel plug in an aluminum head? I thought that it is carved in stone to use anti-seize with dissimilar metals, as in this case?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 101
Likes: 7
From: Charlevoix, MI
Originally Posted by Hematite
I noticed that the photos say to coat the electrode shell with anti-seize but not the threads. Aren't the heads on a 5.4 3V engine made of aluminum? Steel plug in an aluminum head? I thought that it is carved in stone to use anti-seize with dissimilar metals, as in this case?
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Hudson Valley, New York
I recall that with the previous problem in the 2 valve heads that what was happening was that because the factory didn't use never-seize on the spark plug threads and the threads would get exposed to water in their location, they would seize to the aluminum heads and tear some of the threads out with the plug. When the new plug was put back in, there would be very little of the threads left and eventually could blow out of the head, which some did. The way to stop it was to remove the plugs early on, before galvanic reaction took place, and put never seize on the threads and replace them. The other thing to do is to never wash the engine because the water would sit in the plug cavity (2V plugs are on top of the head) and corrode the crap out of it. That's another reason that I don't tailgate in the rain with my '02 Mustang, I don't want water splashed up under the hood on the engine.
I think that I would rather use the anti seize and reduce the torque by 2 or 3 foot pounds. If the factory had used the never seize on the spark plugs in the 2V engines, it's likely that problem would never have happened.
I think that I would rather use the anti seize and reduce the torque by 2 or 3 foot pounds. If the factory had used the never seize on the spark plugs in the 2V engines, it's likely that problem would never have happened.
Last edited by Hematite; Nov 25, 2007 at 11:38 AM.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, TX
how can i tell when my motor was built or how can i tell if i have the updated heads and plugs
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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I beleive the build date will be on the sticker on the drivers door jamb or in your paper work??? I do not beleive u can tell by looking at the heads from the outside they look the same it is the plug seat that has been changed??
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Hudson Valley, New York
Originally Posted by wreedZ71
how can i tell when my motor was built or how can i tell if i have the updated heads and plugs
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
The 4.6 engines do not have the same problems as the 3v 5.4s.
As for a %.... I'm not sure, I'd say all of them can have the problem if the proper precautions aren't taken.
It does seem that the people that attempt the spark plug change early aren't having to many problems.
As for a %.... I'm not sure, I'd say all of them can have the problem if the proper precautions aren't taken.
It does seem that the people that attempt the spark plug change early aren't having to many problems.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 42
Likes: 2
From: Hudson Valley, New York
Originally Posted by MBBFord
The 4.6 engines do not have the same problems as the 3v 5.4s.
As for a %.... I'm not sure, I'd say all of them can have the problem if the proper precautions aren't taken.
It does seem that the people that attempt the spark plug change early aren't having to many problems.
As for a %.... I'm not sure, I'd say all of them can have the problem if the proper precautions aren't taken.
It does seem that the people that attempt the spark plug change early aren't having to many problems.
I suspect that an early change of plugs and the use of never-seize will make a big difference.