Is this a problem with you Lightning owners? My new to me (2002 HD F-150...10 days & 300 miles) just today spit a plug out. Unfortunately, never owning a Ford before, i had heard a faint "exhaust leak" type noise and thought it was just that. Anyway, is this a common problem among supercharged 5.4's?


For all you Lightning guru's, what actually is the differences in the HD edition trucks engine & the Lightning version to the uninitiated (me). I'd heard the HD engines are mass produced as opposed to being hand assembled in the lightning. Thanks,
Tim

 

As I understand it, the Harley makes less boost because of a smaller crank pulley, and a different tune in the computer. Otherwise the same engine.

And yes, spitting plugs has been a serious problem for modded Lightnings; not so much with the stock engines, but detonation from increased boost, cold weather, tuning on the "edge" and 4 thread plug bores in the heads have produced lots of launched plugs and broken rods (the other weak point of the engine).

Jim

 

Man, I just replied in your welcome thread in the HD section and where you asked about plugs, I offered the advice that you should check them for tightness. Too late I guess

You can get the head repaired with kit. Search on here for Timesert.

BTW, the HD has a larger upper pulley not a smaller crank pulley.
Apart from the tune and the missing SVT logo on the blower, the engines are the same.

 

it's a larger supercharger nose pulley

 

how much HP & torque is the Lightning rated for?
Supposedly the HD truck has 340 hp/425 ft lbs Tq, right.

My truck seemed kinda lazy off the line but would pull pretty good from 40 mph and up.
Fun to drive perhaps except when losing plugs. I hope my mechanic buddy can get it buttoned back up today or tomorrow. He was going to change the plugs as well (truck has 86,000 on clock). Hopefully nothing else pops up.
Tim

 

not a matter of boost its a matter of loose plugs. do the search, easily repaired this subject is old.

 

I thought the Harley trucks had a wee-bit higher compression ratio than the Lightnings.

 

Nope, the long blocks were exactly the same.

 

Thanks for that info. I remember it being said right here on F150 that the Harleys were 9:1. Thanks for straightening that out.

 

Lightning and H/D Engines are IDENTICAL (8.4:1 Compression). H/D has a larger pulley on the blower for 6psi instead of 8psi and a slightly milder tune.

Plug ejection has been a major problem for all 5.4's and 6.8's ever since.

 

Truck is back on the road and no ill effects...not too bad on the wallet either (my buddy hooked me up!!!). Put in a timesert i think....
Life is good again!!