looking at engine options
#1
looking at engine options
hows it goin everybody. been a while since i've posted. i'm about to pay my truck off soon, its an 04 fx4 with the 5.4 3v. the engine has the typical cam phaser noise and the timing chains are rattling under certain conditions, and with 180000 miles i'd rather not put $1000 or more into the engine. so 1 option is a jasper or ford reman. but i've been looking at used engines and the 04-08 engines all have alot of miles and cost close to $3000 and some more. i have seen many great deals on the 09+ 5.4s and i was wondering what would be involved with putting one of them in my truck? am i right by saying i just need to use the newer spark plugs and brown coil boots and my stock intake manifold and fuel system?
i havent had much luck searching so thank you with any info.
i havent had much luck searching so thank you with any info.
#2
Welcome back Matts wondering where you've been. We could use your expertise around here again. I think replacing a 5.4 3v with another 5.4 engine would be pretty straightup. In terms of a Jasper or Ford reman. We used to perform quarterly PV (Production Validation) dyno testing on Jasper and AER (American Engine Remanufacturer) remans at Ford, it was part of the contract they had with Ford for supplying remans to Ford. From my experience both were about as good as the new engines we were testing so I wouldn't be afraid to stick one in my vehicle. I know guys that did and they were happy,they held up just fine during durabilty tests. If I went with a used 5.4 I would want to make sure the sparkplugs were changed with antiseize applied to the electrode shield/ground sleeves (thanks glc) and I would perform that myself no matter what even on the remans. I know you're already aware of that issue. Everything else should just boltup. With your ability I'd go for it it can't be that difficult to swap one out. Take care.
Last edited by DYNOTECH; 06-30-2012 at 08:57 AM.
#3
#4
Welcome back Matts wondering where you've been. We could use your expertise around here again. I think replacing a 5.4 3v with another 5.4 engine would be pretty straightup. In terms of a Jasper or Ford reman. We used to perform quarterly PV (Production Validation) dyno testing on Jasper and AER (American Engine Remanufacturer) remans at Ford, it was part of the contract they had with Ford for supplying remans to Ford. From my experience both were about as good as the new engines we were testing so I wouldn't be afraid to stick one in my vehicle. I know guys that did and they were happy,they held up just fine during durabilty tests. If I went with a used 5.4 I would want to make sure the sparkplugs were changed with antiseize applied to the threads and I would perform that myself no matter what even on the remans. I know you're already aware of that issue. Everything else should just boltup. With your ability I'd go for it it can't be that difficult to swap one out. Take care.
#5
Junk yards will say its not a swap if its not a striaght up swap no changing manifolds pullys or any thing. I put an 03 2v 5.4 in my truck and the junk yards were telling me it was not doable. I had to change a few easy things.. I'm pretty certain any year 3v 5.4 can be made to swap with another.. minor stuff.
#6
#7
Same here. At times, an old post will get dragged up that I have to edit. Must have been orbiting the moon or something.
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#8
Actually - I talked with some folks at work in our Maintenance Division who are fastener experts. It seems that applying a very small amount of A/S on the threads does not affect torque readings anywhere near as much as it does if applied to the seat area.
Apparently, the seat is the true 'binding' surface, whereas the threads are not. Hence the degree of affect on torque of lubricating these two disparate surfaces is significantly different.
It's intriguing that almost all plug manufacturers - save for Denso - don't advocate A/S usage. Odd as well that despite the statement to the contrary, Champion still manufactures plug A/S.
I wonder if it's as much a problem/claim avoidance measure as a physical one - most folks don't seem to get the fact that 'more is NOT better' and over-apply the stuff - getting it on their hands, the electrode, the ceramic and on/in the boots. Or using the wrong type. Or both.
For myself -
I have always, and will continue to use a very, very small amount on the first few threads. Too old to change now, lol.
MGD
Apparently, the seat is the true 'binding' surface, whereas the threads are not. Hence the degree of affect on torque of lubricating these two disparate surfaces is significantly different.
It's intriguing that almost all plug manufacturers - save for Denso - don't advocate A/S usage. Odd as well that despite the statement to the contrary, Champion still manufactures plug A/S.
I wonder if it's as much a problem/claim avoidance measure as a physical one - most folks don't seem to get the fact that 'more is NOT better' and over-apply the stuff - getting it on their hands, the electrode, the ceramic and on/in the boots. Or using the wrong type. Or both.
For myself -
I have always, and will continue to use a very, very small amount on the first few threads. Too old to change now, lol.
MGD
Last edited by MGDfan; 06-30-2012 at 06:24 PM. Reason: forgot to add Champion, lol
#9
Junk yards will say its not a swap if its not a striaght up swap no changing manifolds pullys or any thing. I put an 03 2v 5.4 in my truck and the junk yards were telling me it was not doable. I had to change a few easy things.. I'm pretty certain any year 3v 5.4 can be made to swap with another.. minor stuff.
i've had alot of those situations in the past. sometimes i'd be sitting here typing thinking i'm a genious and then i reread it and wonder how it made sense before.