im thinking about bumping up compression a bit to help build power. i found a set of keith black flat top pistons instead of the dish style, the stock compression is around 9:1 i think and hopefully with the flat tops i can bump it up a bit, and bore it 30 over.
then i found a mild crane cam to stick in it. that has longer durations and higher lift than the stocker.
and im hoping to do a bit of a homegrown port and polish on the stock intake to see what i can do.
headers i will probably keep stock, ive had some bad experiences in other vehicles with headers. they always crack on me.

 

I would save time and money. Pull the heads on the 5.4 Do what bill said have the spark plug ports Machined and get new plugs. put it back together, walk away and never worry about it again.

 

I would not even pull the heads.

There should not be any reason that He can't pull all the plugs, put an insert in all of the holes and torque in 8 new motorcraft plugs.
Half a days work and less than $100.

The truck has more power, is worth more and he could be done and driving it before he could even get the first step of the swap done.
I just don't see the reason to do anything else. The 300 was a beast in its day, but that was a long time ago and much better engines have been built in the decades since. The 5.4 will last longer, make more power and get better fuel mileage.

 

didnt know they made inserts for this? Heck yah then its fixed quick fast and in a Hurry.

 

inserts? you mean helicoils? ive already had to put one in cylinder 3 and in cylinder 4. the one in cylinder 4 is starting to work its way out. or its a exhaust leak on the passenger side manifold. either way its a pain in the *** to do and with my luck ill break off the spark plugs trying to get them out.

 

If that is not working it would still be cheaper and easier to go with pulling he heads and getting them Machined.

 

No, a helicoil is NOT a proper repair.
The proper repair is a Timesert thread insert, which will hold and be stronger than stock.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s....php?p=9305580
read this to start with, until post 17 or so then it goes off topic.

 

Thanks for the tip redford!

 

All that makes me wonder about stroking it? Is that something you might do?

 

I must have missed that era lol. I tried towing about 3,700 lbs with a 95 model 300 and it struggled to maintain 40 mph and even hit 20 mph on a couple of hills. Reliable, yes, but powerful, not even close.

 

Exactly. Reliable but not very powerful. Also, no real performance gain potential. The 4.9L is not a high winding engine. No real cause to take it above 4500 RPM. Too many trips above 5000 RPM would cause the valve train bits to depart the engine or the rods to depart the block.

You can up the compression and change the cam, add headers and an intake, and you'll end up with a louder not powerful engine that need premium fuel to run.

I never will understand why this topic keeps coming up: "Can I put in a (351, 5.0L, 4.9L, 460, 6-71 Detroit, Cat, Perkins, Kubota, Mahindra or whatever) into my Super Duty" when with just a small amount of effort and money your existing engine will work like it is supposed to work.

 

i want to do a swap thats reliable. ive heard nothing but issues with the entire modular family of ford motors. and ive had quite a few issues with them. the 4.9l is more than strong enough for what ill be doing, i would even put money that if i were to hook chains with my friends 2500 gmc with a built 383 stroker i would hold my own. i can build more than enough power with a 4.9l

 

They are one of the longest lasting, most reliable engine familys ever made.

Other than Plugs blowing after being put in wrong, what trouble have you had?
Of all the modulars I have driven/worked on, the only things that I have seen kill one is running it without oil.
EDIT: Also have worked on one that took trash down the intake from running without an air filter. That had it down a cylinder and they drove it 32,000 miles like that.

 

Your issues with your Triton engine are from improper maintenance. The #1 reason spark plugs depart the head is because the plugs were overtightened.

The 4.6L/5.4L/6.8L engine family has been in use since the mid 90s. If it was such a terrible design why did it last so long?

Also, how did this guy get over 1.2 million miles on his 1997 5.4L if it is such a terrible engine?

Home

 

ps - I notice it has the word "ford" in the name - even better

coincidence?