Working on engine

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Aug 2, 2009 | 12:13 PM

biggreentank

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From: South Georgia

Working on engine

I'm thinking about buying a 2004+ F-150 and I have a question for you guys that work on your own. How hard is it working on the engine when half of it is under the dash?

Aug 2, 2009 | 01:13 PM

stronger

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why? all most of do is change plugs every 40k or so and that's not as hard as they were to get at on my older 351s or 460s.

Aug 2, 2009 | 02:22 PM

bridge

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From: League City, TX

The '04+ models are actually a lot easier than the generation before. My '01 Expy's engine was waaaaay up under the dash.

Aug 2, 2009 | 07:36 PM

BirdmanStyll

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yeah its not really under the dash at all, having just bought my 04 5.4, the problem is everything is electronic which i am not use too, so parts are expensive and not worth working on yourself in my opinion, if you find the right ford dealer to work on your truck its not bad at all Good Luck

Aug 2, 2009 | 08:31 PM

Tylus

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Joined: Mar 2004

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From: SE Georgia

easy to do

I pulled my intake and all of the electronics & injectors for my blower install on my 06 F-150

the only part that is truly "under the dash" is about 2-3" of the valve covers. Even then, there is plenty of room for most anything.

These motors are actually pretty roomy under the hood. I sat on my radiator support and was able to reach everywhere I needed without any undue strain.

I'd post pictures, but my internet at work is blocked, so i cannot get into my photobucket account

Aug 2, 2009 | 11:06 PM

biggreentank

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From: South Georgia

That's good to know. The few times I've looked under hood of one it looked like it was crammed way under there. What kind of scan tool do you guys use if you need one?

Aug 3, 2009 | 04:32 AM

Tylus

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From: SE Georgia

I have a generic OBD-II scanner I bought on eBay for $50.

it scans all 5 OBD-II protocols...which is important because the 2004+ F-150 is on the CanBus protocol. Older scanners won't read that

here are some pictures of my 5.4 3v "slightly" disassembled. It looks cramped...but not really once you start tearing into things.

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Aug 3, 2009 | 06:05 PM

Tylus

MMNC (SS)(Ret)

Joined: Mar 2004

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From: SE Georgia

they are a bit wide because of the 3v heads...but I personally think my old 350 and 383's were bigger.

The engine bay is huge though once you pull the small crap out of they way.

Aug 3, 2009 | 06:09 PM

#10

Mustang6147

Posting Guru

Joined: Mar 2007

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I would think it to be a pain... What are you doin to it??? If I masy be nosey

Aug 3, 2009 | 06:37 PM

#11

Tylus

MMNC (SS)(Ret)

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 11,594

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From: SE Georgia

me or him?

If you look at the last picture I posted...you can see my "mod"

miss that truck

Aug 3, 2009 | 07:40 PM

#12

Greg B

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Things are down right roomy in there compared to my old 05 6.0L PSD. But I must say, the old 460 was one of the easiest to work on besides the 300 6 cylinder.