My 2000 F150 5.4 needs a new head gasket. Only 150,000 miles on the truck. Have no intention of getting rid of it.

6K for a an engine with a 3 year warranty or around 3500 for head gaskets with other replacements while the heads are off?

 

For $2500 you get a new engine over head gaskets I'd go for the new engine if you can afford it.

 

Really you are considering putting $6000 into a 15 year old truck? Then after that will it be a $4000 trans, or a $2000 differential? Just sayin'

And $3500 for a head gasket job........must be a lot harder to do than I thought. Is the motor vs. head gasket priced at a dealer?

 

Why does it need a head gasket? Is it leaking oil, water, or what? If the body is good, go for the gaskets. You bought it new and know the maintenance it has had.

 

MLS head gaskets don't typically die - they are murdered. Unless it has been poorly maintained, your head gaskets are likely fine. There is always the exception of course.

 

Are you saying my factory original head gaskets are MLS?

 

Yes. Factory MLS.

 

If your truck gets total in an accident, book value only! Sometimes you can claim repairs if they were just done. Save your receipts whatever you do.

 

If I spent 6 grand that engine better be built bullet proof. I'm pretty sure I could get one from a non dealer installed for around 4.

 

isn't it somewhat typical for the gasket to fail on the edge of the head where it seals the oil passage to the head?

At any rate, you pays your money and you makes your choice!

 

There was a TSB for earlier modulars that had some debris at the mating surface in that area if I remember right, but at 150k - something caused a failure. Overheated, rusty coolant system, etc.. Prolly just needs an intake manifold.

 

I had the oil leak head gasket deal. There was a TSB about it long ago but over time its a failure point. The old TSB was about metal chips the robot that assembled the engines would leave. If it was caused by that you would think it would have failed long ago..

 

Yea, $6k is built longblock territory.

http://www.modularmotorsportsracing....longblocks.htm

Personally, I would just get the current motor rebuilt, over a new motor.

 

Head gaskets are easy.

 

I think its a wash between doing the head gasket and doing an engine swap. About the same amount of work.