With older engines, ignition timing was tricky (in my 1st week of mechanics.. its actually simple).

With newer engines, are you talking about cam timing? Because ignition timing is a no brainer. With DIS

Jeff

 

Rebuild it now then. The good old days are over... These 5.4s dont seem to give the same indication of failure that other non-supercharged motors do.. IM(O)- (Observation) It looks like when they go, the usually take the block and sometimes the crank with them...

Jeff

 

ignition is simple. But cam is where it gets complicated. If the cam is not set right and you install the motor and the piston is coming up and at top dead center and your intake valves are still open you will have a bent valve at the least. But when you learn how to do it and how to do it properly, you will never forget it and you will think how really simple it really is.

 

J15BIG,

What brand octane booster were you running?

 

well I have to say the rebuild part is not hard , a manual with specs and a high quality torque wrench. But from the sound of it all you either have a holed block, and in that case the shortblock is the best option. it may be a head , you never know . But a good machine shop is what you need. even if yoou build it and have them setup the timing. it can be done and you would learn alot from it all.

 

outlaw

 

Any word on what the dealership said about warranty yet?

 

Shoot go to a junk yard and find a wrecked F-150 with a 5.4 and build you a good short block if not it will be good practice on the motor work!! Well thaqts my 2 cents worth so good luck with the truck!

 

no word on warranty yet.
how much would it cost to get a 5.4 from a junk yard. would i have to take the whole truck or can i just get the engine. if the engine is in a wrecked truck...will they let me take it out...never been to a junk yard as you probly guessed. how would i get the engine from there to here? rent a u haul or something?

 

To get some BASIC experience building an OHC motor, I'd go to a junkyard and buy a core returned I-4, a 2.5 from a ronger would be easy to find. Rebuild it, tear it down and start over, do it a few times and then see if you can make it run, no need to even put it into a truck, just get it running on the stand, the tools will cost more than the motor, then you can put the engine in a classified and sell it as a used engine for a few hundred, you'd learn a lot and about break even, and have some tools, bonus.

G

 

if i can get the funding(in other words get mommy say yes) i will buy and old engine...whatever i can find..and rebuild it a few times. what do i need to run an engine out of a car? all i can think of is a source of gas, starting motor, and computer if its from a newer car, anything else? anyone wanna go to a junk yard with me and help me find what i need...help out a youngin