Isnt it possible to just re-tap them and put more threads?

 

If that were possible, then there would not be about 1,000 threads (no pun) about blown plugs.

 

Not the answer I was expecting. The blown plug issue I think would be solved if people would check there plugs regulary to make sure they are tight. Ive never had that problem.

 

I have been repairing V10s & V8s (mod engines) with time serts,
and have never had any problems with them. I will say though I have never done a Lightning but I do not fear the dreaded plug blow out! I am confident inthere quality strength! I am suprised that I dont see any info here on them though because they have been around for a long time!

Scott

 

Just an update. Rob, the mechanic I have doing the short block and head install, said there is definately more threads in the new heads than the ones he took off. Still, an expensive fix, unless you are looking for new heads anyway.

Mark

 

Thats an 02 part# and FOMOCO vary rarely changes the part and not the part# in the same month.
Its almost 99% the oppisite, part# change, part# change=product change.
Ford is well into the new part# range that indicates 03 milled parts and are changing part #s daily.

 

those of you that don't think plug launching is a problem......why would ford add more threads if it wasn't a problem?

 

Quoted by Ford

"Well I work for Ford warranty and I can tell you it is a problem. Vehicles under base warranty with SP blowing out of head for the month of Dec. 02 437 Jan. 03 282 at one point last june we hit 900 cliams for the month.
After 36,000 miles the numbers drop but are still a problem. The lightning has been the vehicle I see most often but regular F-150's have had it happen too. Expedition as well."

END OF QUOTE

Well lets see if 1500 plugs can spit in any giving 3 months,
now that ""could mean"" up to 6000 a year, times 6 yrs "could be"
36,000 PISSED OFF CUSTOMERS. Does that seem like a problem to any of you ???

Of course thats an estimate and includes all the troubled 5.4 Spitters, but you get the picture.

 

Why should I have to spend ~31,000 for a vehicle and
then have to spend time checking for a loose sparkplug?

Can you imagine a Caddy owner being told "That's a known
problem ... You will have to check your plugs every Oil Change!"

Ford needs to recall and fix the problems.

 

I was told that Ford doesn't not and will not sell bare heads, and there is a core charge. Seems like you can install inserts into the plug holes for more threads or wait for an aftermarket manufactor to begin to offer performance heads for the 5.4 motor. Or ofcourse buy the new and improved stock heads

 

I already got the new heads.

 

actually, caddy owners have to worry about losing 3 qts of oil between oil changes because the northstar uses that much,(thats why it holds 7)

and it wouldnt matter if we had 14 threads in the heads, if your plugs arent tight or you are dumb enough to use antisieze when you put plugs in, they will work their way out no matter what, it will just take longer with more threads.

there is no performance gains to be had out of the new heads, they have just been updated to keep future warranty claims down.

KYSPT DBITJBS

 

Ford has change the heads, they now have 8-9 threads in the spark plug hole. The part number did not change, it was considered a running change. These heads have just been installed on the new motor going into my L. Anyone who thinks that having 4 threads in an aluminum head coupled with a high performance engine deserves to be stuck on the side of the road 1/2 way to Vegas with a blown spark plug. My Briggs and Straton lawnmower engine has more threads in it.

 

These are 03 heads according to the mechanic doing the install. The cam chain tensioners are not transferable from my 00 heads and he had to order 03 tensioners. Guess I am now satisfied they are the"new and improved heads".

Mark

 

hey, who is doing the install?