I've been without my truck for just about a year now (left it stateside with my father, but the withdrawal was so bad, I had to have it shipped here). So, it finally arrives last week, and I go to pick it up today. I do all the paperwork, and walk outside with my CD's in hand ready to get reacquainted with my baby. They pull her up, and I hear this God awful sound; sort of like a combination machine gun fire and a tore up muffler. Having never heard what a blown plug sounds like, I'm still thinking to myself, oh chit, not the plugs!! Sure enough, #3 has decided it didn't wanna play anymore. The coil pack was just hanging there; the bracket actually snapped in two. The 7mm bolt was still in place with the other part of the bracket. The plug was just loose in the head. We took it out, and some of the threads were a little bruised, but it looked in good shape; no corrosion or buil-up. We were able to get it back in, but the threads are gone. It won't turn anymore by hand, but with the ratchet, it'll keep on spinning. Put the pack back on (having read how it'll hold in place without use of the bolt), and sure enough it held it in place. Started it up, and the noise was gone, and she idled very smoothly. I coasted it to my house, which was luckily on base where the Vehicle Processing Center is, and parked it. Of course, I didn't get it on it, but if I didn't know what had happened, I would not have been able to tell by how well it ran.

So now, what to do? The F-150 may be the best selling vehicle in the states, but hardly over here. And I'm going to Afghanistan for 6 months in November. Short of having the heads re-done, is there some fix, that would hold until I returned to the states to have it done correctly? ( A buddy of mine suggested lock tight, or this other silicon stuff which works the same, but is more plyable than lock tight) Or should I find a Ford dealer here, and let them try to fix it, knowing they probably have as much experience with the Lightning as me? Hell, they may even cover it under warranty in spite of my few mods because of not knowing much about it, but I risk it not being done right as well. I figure to eat the cost anyway, just don't wanna have to let it sit up for another 2 years Thanks for any advice.

 

Damn dude you just get reunited with your baby and she cops a tude. Hope you get it fixed so you can cruise man. Sucks you have to go over to the sandbox so she will sit some more. Mine has been in the shop since last Wed getting an all new exhaust(Bassani)and a WC 2/4" drop. I swung by on the way home and he was finishing up the drop an dhe shows me. Hmm front looks good nothing to extreme but the back end is like slamville. I was told that *** end needed to come up and that I did not want it lower then the front but level even if its up a tic it will be better then stock. Luckily its a adjustable hanger and shackle so you can go from mild(2")to wild(5").I prefer "slightly aggressive" I have the standard engine mods and have to driv to Raleigh on Wed to get it tuned/dynoed. Im glad I just got a pay raise becuase the money going out is fast. I ordered a FTVB last night and by the EOM plan on ordering all new rotors and bads(Powerslots/Hawk pads). Dude this is addictive as hell and i want it done ASAP you know? By the end of Nov she should be pretty much done and I can save up for my 20" and rubber. Can you say cha ching. That is why I use th eword "save." Well brother best of luck with the beast and good luck with the Gremlins. Be cool man.
Russ.

 

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