was driving down a residential at 25mph, stopped at sign and was proceeding ahead to turn left when I heard a terrible noise from the engine, I don't even know how to describe it... grinding/clanking, something loose, I don't know.. I immediately park and turn it off. Look under the hood, nothing obvious is wrong (belts, fans, or something smoking or making noise etc)

I'm not much of a mechanic so I had it towed to the Ford shop. 96k miles, and I'm hoping that wasn't my last 1. whats my worst case scenario, a thrown rod ? the truck has always been 100% stock and hasn't been driven hard in years really. How much would a complete new 5.4L engine for these cost, if they are even available ?
I'm hoping its something much simpler and cheaper

 

read a little more about thrown rods in lightnings happening somewhat often. but it seems usually on a modded truck at high speeds on cold days, I was going 10 mph on a hot day in a stock lightning, and didn't get any billowing smoke or oil pouring everywhere so maybe my engine isn't totally gone

but assuming the worst, is this what I'm looking for, for $2999 ?
http://www.promarengine.com/productd...odId=621&SP=--

they have an "upgraded" one listed at $3999 but I don't know what the upgrades are
http://www.promarengine.com/productd...odId=622&SP=--

is this a sane price for a '00 Lightning engine ?

or how about this
http://www.wolfiesenterprises.com/54_lightning.htm
"Introducing the Promar 5.4 Lightning High Performance long block. Our 5.4 Ford Lightning Engine has been enhanced and upgraded with Reinforced Spark plug threads, Keith Black Forged 5.4 Lightning pistons, Scat Forged full floating H beam rods, ARP rod bolts, Steel File Fit Rings, Balanced forged rotating assembly. This High Performance 5.4 Lightning engine can safely handle up to 19lbs of boost. .S. Useable 5.4 Lightning Core return required. "

sounds fun, if I have to replace the engine I might as well get that, no ?

 

starting to think it might have been a blown spark plug. It had been seeming to misfire for a few weeks, especially at high throttle but I mostly just drive it slowly around town and it was fine.

several others in threads here report a similar thing to what I experienced. misfire/weird sounds as a warning, then suddenly (lot of times when pulling away slowly from a stop like I did) it goes pop and then it sounds horrible and loud, but still (mostly) running.

I didn't see any missing spark plugs but I didn't physically check them all, I just closed the hood in disgust and walked home and called the tow man

 

for 4 grand that better be a completly forged short block

 

was a blown spark plug after all.

here's more info I found about their $4k lightning engine, which maybe I'll consider some day if we don't all succumb to the economic apocalypse

 

i'm looking at the same motor for my 02 lightning.it looks resonablely priced and pretty decent.did you ever purchase it? if so how is it so far?

 

I was going to say it sounds like a spark plug or a COP...glad it wasn't simple and easy