Hello to all. We are spanky new to your forum but, old in most every other respect. I clearly remember my Dad bringing home a brand new 34 Ford Sedan.

We've recently downgraded in the size of our motorhome, from a 35 foot diesel pusher to a 23 footer on an E450 chassis - - welcome to the world of V10's.

Being of cautious nature, and after considerable reading of this and other forums, we've elected to do a precautionary installation of the Timesert inserts in all 10 cylinders. At the same time, we intend to do all 8 in one of my son's 5.0 rig - - both are 2001. It occurs to me that we could say we're gonna play 18 holes at the modular course - - (sorry about that - it just came over me).

Anyhow, we already have the swell Timesert kit, and are in the process of shopping for a "good enough" borescope. I figure we can buy about 17 borescopes for the price of bending one valve - - thus the decision to get one.

In the process of reading "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Blown Plugs," we just couldn't help seeing a few entries about exhaust manifold studs. With a raging sense of paranoia, I reluctantly groaned under the rig this morning, and took a look-peepy at MY studs. Talk about sewing Marilyn Monroe into a wet dress - - Man, there is NO room to even look at those puppies let alone work on them! The plugs look like an afternoon in bed compared to those manny studs!

So what we're trolling for here, is lots of good pointers on both the plugs and the studs. We're committed to the plug inserts but not so sure about the studs. None are busted off - - - - yet.

I think we are hearing that Motorcraft gets the nod over Autolite - - by a narrow? margin. How about the boots - - BTW, this rig has 47K miles on it - - everything LOOKS pretty clean and spiffy but we're open to all kinds of comment.

Do we use anti-seize or not? I couldn't pick a winner after reading about a grillion posts on THAT subject.

On the studs: Are they REALLY stainless??? They look like a hunnert miles of bad road - - we always called it rust - - Do you change them while they still have something to grab with the vise grips? If they ARE stainless, is it one of the alloys that work hardens when you try to drill it for the EZ Out?

Hopefully, you can tell we are thirsting for knowledge on the above subjects.

oldusedbear

 

Honestly I wouldn't put in timeserts until (IF)you shoot a plug, then only put the timesert in the one that spit. With proper maint you'll likely never shoot a plug. The studs are a heat treatable stainless steel but the nuts are sort of crappy and rust up. Just change the plugs with MC or Autolite with a dab of anti-seize on each plug threads and torque them down to 13-14 ft lbs. My 04' w/ 27k had one broken stud that was found when my headers were installed. It didn't look broke and didn't leak but the studs was broke when removed.

 

I should explain a little further. We have the motorhome, a Crown Vic, a Town Car, and a Ford pickup. The Pickup and the Crown Vic never leave town and I wouldn't think of fixing them if they weren't broke. The Town Car sits in the garage under a cover. I've forgotten what color it is.

We live in a small town and can walk home from wherever the Vic or pickup might quit - - if they quit. The motorhome however, is never going to quit near home - - we only take it on trips. If she corks, by definition I'm away from shop and tools. Murphy and I have NEVER been on good terms, and I have never had any luck letting Murphy pick the spot for my wheels to quit rolling.

Three to four threads on an aluminum head is hardly an IF - - it is more like a WHEN -- JMHO, but I have lots of company I think. In an E-van, even the easiest cylinder is no picnic, and even if you're parked by the Snap-On truck. No way Murphy will give me one of the easier cylinders anyhow.

So I figure that for the price of one blown plug (even at the hands of someone who does good work at a reasonable price), I can finance my TimeSert project. And I'm willing to pay the dues to do it on MY terms instead of Murphy's. Besides, I have a son half my age who is willing to slither on his belly like a reptile to get the really nasty ones I can't reach.

 

really research some more as to what it takes to do the inserts correctly. this is a major project especially on a MH with the access issues.
I have been driving early production v10 0ct 98 for 140000 miles without issue. the inserts will not extend the thread length which is the most likely cause of any failures.
truely the only time to repair these is when there is a failure as, an insert could just as easily fail, that would really bite. keep motoring

 

Couldn't agree more on the need for research. I've got several hours invested in that already and anxious to do more. I grew up in a specialty machine shop so feel comfortable with the challenges of drilling, reaming, and tapping - - having done that lots of times adds considerably to my comfort zone, but you're absolutely correct about the access issues too - - IN SPADES.

As regards the thread length issue - - Examination of the specific insert tells us quite a bit - - (I have one in my hot old hand). The outer thread, which will be in contact with the aluminum head, is about 18mm in diameter instead of 14 mm (the plug thread O.D.) There are about 10 threads on this outer surface, as opposed to the 3 or 4 female threads on my heads. So there is a very substantial difference - - like over 3 times the steel to aluminum thread contact area between the insert and the head, as compared to the thread contact area between the 14mm plug and the 4 threads in the head.

Since the insert is put into the head with Loctite, and then quite cleverly expanded on the combustion chamber side, along with all the additional thread length/area (3 times as much as stock), I can't see how the inserts could ever come out. This BTW, is in keeping with the moderator's (Krewat) statement a while back that he has never heard of a Timesert failing. On the inside of the Timesert, there are about 6 threads - - BUT they are in a special alloy steel and silver plated, so again, many times stronger than 3 to 4 threads in aluminum, and far less likely to gall. So I seriously question the premise that "an insert could as easily fail." Maybe I'm missing something here in deference to the arithmetic and strength of materials - - I'm sure open and inviting comment on those issues.

The other factor on which there are literally dozens (if not hundreds) of comments in reading this, and other forums, is that MANY failures have occurred shortly following removal and replacement of plugs. The most likely explanation being that the mere act of unscrewing the old plug buggers the aluminum head in the process - - this sure sounds logical too. There are several postings on the net with pictures to support this theory - - You can see the pulled/galled aluminum clinging to the threads on the old removed plugs.

To date, I've spent probably 12 or more hours reading everything I can find on the specific issue of the plugs and modular engines. The ONLY noted failures of inserts, have been with the "coil type" inserts, which really can't be compared with the full sleeve type inserts such as Timesert and others of similar design.

So I'm still feeling very positive about the investment here - - but at the same time can sure understand why lots of people have good grounds for a different viewpoint.

I really appreciate the response and comments - - please keep the cards and letters coming!