thinking about 08 superduty
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
thinking about 08 superduty
thinking about trading in my truck for a new one with extended cab. i fear getting rid of a good truck. i thought i remember reading something about the spark plugs not coming out of the new 3valve motors. if this is true is there anything that will prevent this like never seize. i am trading up to get one with a supercab so the faimly will fit, other than that it will be the same truck 5.4 with 4.10 gears and auto. anything good or bad with these trucks i should know about
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Spark plug spitting issues were solved with the 2005 Triton engines.
The 5.4L is the same one I have in my '07. With the 4.10 gearing you're good to tow up to about 11,000 pounds. I tow up to 9000 with mine (3.73 gearing) often, without any issues.
My only advice would be that if you intend to tow more than 10,000 on a regular basis, look to a V-10 or PSD instead of a 5.4L.
The V-10 is also a great engine. If you think you need to tow more than 11,000 get a V-10. You won't pay much of a penalty in fuel mileage for the V-10 (maybe 1-2 MPG if that) but will gain a lot of capacity.
The 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel is a work horse of an engine. The only negatives so far have been the fact that it doesn't seem to get as good of fuel mileage as the 6.0 or 7.3 Power Stroke and the fact that diesel is more expensive than gasoline right now.
With any engine, don't expect stellar gas mileage. Consider yourself blessed if you can get over 15 MPG out of a tank of fuel. Otherwsie there are no negatives with any of the engines offered in the 2008 Super Duty.
The 5.4L is the same one I have in my '07. With the 4.10 gearing you're good to tow up to about 11,000 pounds. I tow up to 9000 with mine (3.73 gearing) often, without any issues.
My only advice would be that if you intend to tow more than 10,000 on a regular basis, look to a V-10 or PSD instead of a 5.4L.
The V-10 is also a great engine. If you think you need to tow more than 11,000 get a V-10. You won't pay much of a penalty in fuel mileage for the V-10 (maybe 1-2 MPG if that) but will gain a lot of capacity.
The 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel is a work horse of an engine. The only negatives so far have been the fact that it doesn't seem to get as good of fuel mileage as the 6.0 or 7.3 Power Stroke and the fact that diesel is more expensive than gasoline right now.
With any engine, don't expect stellar gas mileage. Consider yourself blessed if you can get over 15 MPG out of a tank of fuel. Otherwsie there are no negatives with any of the engines offered in the 2008 Super Duty.
Last edited by redford; Dec 22, 2007 at 07:28 PM.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Originally Posted by 99f250psd
Real men don't need no stinkin' spark plugs. (Sorry, couldn't resist).
Hadn't heard this issue before, but a good coat of Nev'r Seize should do the trick.
Hadn't heard this issue before, but a good coat of Nev'r Seize should do the trick.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
i have a 03 5.4l with 4.10 gears that i use to pull my 5th wheel with so i know it can do the job. i did the math and with the 5 speed tranny and 3.73 gears would equal to the same 1st gear ratio, so with the 4.10 and an extra 40 hp i should be fine. i was just concerned about the spark plugs, and what ever else there might be with the new trucks. does that death woble a problem on these trucks. i read about it with the 05-07 and it looks like the front suspension is same.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by redford
The 2V Triton engines (4.6L, 5.4L and 6.8L V-10) had an engineering flaw. The heads did not have enough threads in the spark plug hole. If procedures to change the plugs were not followed exactly, you would usually end up with at least one plug being spit out of the head. The problem is common enough that at least one person has developed a business flying around the country repairing the heads with thread inserts.
I believe he's referring to the new 5.4's don't like to give up their plugs.
Reports on plugs seizing in the heads with dealers taking no responsibility if they break them while pulling them out.....it's all here at FTE.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 0
From: Sunapee NH
As a 5.4-3V F150 owner I'm very aware of this potential problem.
What's really interesting, and it's not only on FTE that I've noticed this, is 5.4-3V or 6.8-3V SD owners aren't complaining about this nor are the 4.6-3V Mustang owners. Don't all of the 3V heads feature this same basic design?
I have read that Ford redesigned the heads and started building with the new design around the end of October. I'd suggest searching in the current F150 section or over on F150online.com for more info on this. Or visit your local Ford dealer and see what they can tell you.
Good luck in your decision.
What's really interesting, and it's not only on FTE that I've noticed this, is 5.4-3V or 6.8-3V SD owners aren't complaining about this nor are the 4.6-3V Mustang owners. Don't all of the 3V heads feature this same basic design?
I have read that Ford redesigned the heads and started building with the new design around the end of October. I'd suggest searching in the current F150 section or over on F150online.com for more info on this. Or visit your local Ford dealer and see what they can tell you.
Good luck in your decision.
