Fordpartsonline has the "new and improved" heads for our 5.4's.
I called a Ford dealers' parts department to see if they could tell me what was improved on them. They put me on hold and called a Ford Tech, and then gave me the skinny on what is "new & improved". Two things, extra thread for the plugs and a better head gasket. This pretty much jived with what Paul told me at Fordpartsonline. I ordered a set and will let you know if there is actually an extra thread for the plugs. If there isn't, Paul said I could return the heads. Was also told that alot of the plug launching was due to insufficient torquing at the factory. Rather expensive venture for one thread and a better head gasket, but I am getting a built engine put together and wanted to keep the old heads with the old block (only 14k on it) for use later or resell.
I have read posts of an 8 thread head (03). Does anyone have an 8 thread head?

Mark

 

Awesome news. By any chance, is there a new part # on these heads and if so, can you post them? Thanks.

 

I am going to call Paul back tomorrow and will post the part # then. Also going to call JDM and see what they say about the 8 thread head I have read they can get. Seems to be some conflicting "facts" about what is available.

Mark

 

Whats the cost on 2 new heads?

Andy

 

I remembered this one:

http://198.65.157.241/forums/showthr...ighlight=heads

Dan

 

Sweet!

I am sure several folks would like the part #s.

 

Hey Mark I just did abunch of work on 03 Lightning and it definatly had more threads in the plug holes than my 01L. I am willing to bet the heads might not have new part #'s but have been updated during production and not given a new part #.

 

From what a guy at Worthington Ford told me you are correct. He said the new heads have the same Ford parts number as the old heads.

Not so says Paul at Fordpartsonline. He says the new and improved heads have a different part number and they are:

2L3Z6049DA
2L3Z6049BA

Again from what Paul could find out, and what a Ford service department at a second dealer told me, the difference is a couple of extra plug threads and a new design on the head gasket.

Mark

 

Cost?

 

I ran the number thru parts, and it shows that the heads come complete.

My cost was about $600 each, but there was no listing for a bare head, so I don't know if they are available bare yet.

 

Thats an awful lot of money for fixing spark plug holes. We do them for $250.00 a pair.

The gasket is available from Ford or any Ford supplier (Like us)

 

Tim,

I agree!! If I did not want a new set for my built short block I probably would be giving you a call.

Mark

 

Prices for the heads from Fordpartsonline, exclusive of valve covers and gaskets were: $675.00 plus $150 core for each right and left. This is for a complete head with cams & valve train.

Mark

 

Mark,

Thanks

 

Just curious - What do you mean by "we do them for $250.00 a pair"?