What years and improvements have been made to this motor over the years 2000-05 or so. What information is compatible for the 02?

Does the 5.4 in the 02 Fx4 have 2 or 3 valves?

Are the plugs in this motor the notorious 2-piece buggers?

If you assumed the plugs are orignal w/ 110k mi would you change em out yourself or spend the 3 hrs labor and have them changed?

If I put other than motorcraft plugs in will I regret it?

When referencing "global" parts for new COPs what is the right link? can you buy direct or must one bid on them?

If I've already cleaned the throttle body and replaced the IAC but still experience oscillating RPM when engine is cold. What should my next move be?

I know many of these topics have been covered but it is difficult to know which info applies to which motor etc. Thanks for your help
Matt

 

okay, you have the 2 valve 5.4L engine. these are the ones that have the problems w/ the shooting plugs. the plugs themselves are one piece, and have been known to eject from/strip out the hole in the cylinder head(s). USE ONLY MOTORCRAFT PLUGS AS REPLACEMENTS!

I'm unsure on Global, do a search and look for user Jbrew's posts. Your spark plugs/ COP's are the correct item to replace/diagnose next. Yes, it is time to do the plugs/ COP's.

 

MiniMonster

Thanks for the sound advice. I've read alot of JBrews posts. Sound knowledgeable and credible.

If I have a plug that has blown out in the past is there any way of telling w/o pulling the plugs?

So would you pay to have it done or take the chance and change em yourself?

Is there a way of knowing 2v vs 3v in the Vin# or are all 02 5.4L 2v?

 

all 97-03 F-150 5.4's have the 2 valve. all 04-08 5.4's are the 3 valve. it's as simple as that.

just change them all out. this is a job you could do yourself, it is not problematic in the same manner as the 3 valve 04-08's are. if a plug blew out, you WOULD KNOW. the engine would sound like sh*t, if the truck would even start again. the threads would stripped, and the plug wouldn't torque down. change them out now, so you don't have to worry about it. I don't have the torque spec at the moment, you can search or buy a Hayne's for that.

 

http://stores.ebay.com/GLOBAL-AUTOMOTIVE
This is global's ebay store.

 

Torque specs on the plugs are 11-14ft. pounds.

 

This answered a few of my questions too.

Anyways, I have a couple more...I have what I originally though was an exhaust leak I can here until the engine warms up. I was searching on here and found a thread where a guy thought thats what he had, and he ended up blowing out a plug. So I decided to park mine until I change out COP's and plugs to not risk blowing one out before I get to it. I only drive this truck about once a week as it is.

Anyways, I've read so many different threads on here while searching, I'm starting to get mixed up. Antiseize or no antiseize on the new plugs? Do you have to remove the fuel rails to get to everything? Are there generally problems breaking the old ones getting them out, or is that usually the '04+ guys with the two piece plugs?

 

anti sieze is the kiss of death...you want the plugs to stay in the head. I'm sure someone will come along and argue that though. These plugs will not break like the 04-08 guys. Fuel rails, well thats a touchy subject. Some do, some dont, I actually didn't remove them, but it sure would have been easier too.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking about the antiseize. I'm going to stick with the motorcraft plugs. As far as the fuel rails go, I'll have to see what it's like without removing them, although I'd rather not stuggle with a job like this, I also want to minimize what I have to take apart. Hopefully this takes care of both the "exhaust leak" and the slight miss I've been having a low rpms. If not, then looks like I'll be changing exhaust manifold gaskets too.

 

No kidding, if I ever grow the stones to change mine I'm using JB-weld.