We refused delivery on a new 03 150, 5.4 with a build date of Oct 02, of course it was the sparkplug thread design issue. Thanks to the good folks on this site I found out that 03's built after Nov 12,02 had a increasing chance of having the new, spark plug hole thread design. I now know I'm looking for the casting date of Nov 12 02 on the head itself - not the date the truck was built. My question is: are trucks with build dates of Jan or Feb this year going to have the new head design for sure? The dealer is going to try and find one with a later build date for me. Any one out there with a Jan or Feb build date with the OLD heads? If I order a new one now will it have the new heads for sure or is it still a crap shoot? I hate to pass on this truck we really like the thing. If you have an 03 with the new I head design I sure would like to know your truck build date.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Worried on the farm

 

I have an 03 with an engine build date of 12/12/02. I do not know if I have the new head design. I will try and find out.

 

My 5.4 03 has a build date of Oct 02. Does this mean I have the old head design for sure? How can I tell?

 

Tex
The casting date for the head is ink printed on the right hand side on the head just above the exhaust manifold - so, drivers side rear,passanger side front.
Good luck.

 

Mine was built Oct 11, 02. I wonder what the failure rate is of the sparkplug ejection problem?

 

Tex
Cheer up. As I understand it the failure rate it not high on this fault. But, Ford did do something about it - it took long enough. Do a search you will find lots of threads. It is a major issue with me because we tow a 7000lb 5er and are on the road for 2 months a year far, far from home and I can't take the risk especially when I am just now buying and can't see the point in not insisting I get the new head design. We have visited your fine state twice in the last few years; down to Big Bend and on to Arizona and have good friends in Austin. We have an old Ford with the 6.9 diesel that just got back from Florida the motor ran well ( about 4,000miles).
Good luck.

 

My truck was special ordered and had a build date of January 15. I wonder if that increases my chances of getting the better designed head. I haven't taken anything apart in the engine compartment to see the build date on the heads though.

Is it relatively easy to see the head build dates w/o taking much off?

 

You refused delivery on a truck because of something you don't know is going to happen? How did the dealer handle this?

Get the truck, enjoy it, and if something happens take it back under warranty.

 

mscott
I understand that the driver's side rear is more visible. Others may be more help here.
I think you can see the number without taking anything off.

 

My build date was on a white sticker printed in black ink, readily visible just by looking at the side of the head on the driver side, mine was closer tothe front. Dont have to remove anything, easy to see.

 

Wow....

I think you should take your truck and enjoy it. Odds are you'll never have an issue.

No problems on my last 5.4 in over 80k miles. We have many in our family and circle of friends no one has even heard of anyone loosing a plug.

-jeff b.

 

I agree with Kro. He's paying for a truck that will not launch plugs. As far as getting it fixed under warranty, well it doesn't always happen under warranty. I have over 100k on my truck and it's long been out of warranty. I was at almost 100K when I lost a plug. I'm still dealing with the shock wave of fixing it too. When you spend the kind of money on a truck like this and you have the option to wait and get one that has a significantly better chance of not launching a plug, then I'd wait. I'd wait months if it took that.

If you've experienced a blow-out and had to deal with the repair yourself, then you'd know. Just my $0.02.

Doug

 

Hi all,

I didn't know about the spark plug issue at 80,000 miles. I found out about it at 82,000 miles, when a plug suddenly decided it was time for a change of scenery.

Let me get this straight: you guys would fork out $35k for a new vehicle with a known (although uncommon) problem with it's design, knowing fully well that the problem probably wouldn't be covered by the manufacturer? (Many who've had the problem while under warranty had repairs denied, claiming the plugs weren't covered by the warranty).

You do this, knowing the manufacturer is STILL denying any problem?

Man, have I got a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell to you.

Definitely hang tight for the new head: that's an absolute no-brainer.....

Chris

 

I guess when you all are talking about the white sticker on the 'head' you mean the valve covers? I don't know much about these 5.4's but the sticker with the build date I assumed was on the valve cover, under which the head lives. Maybe thats not the case on these, I'm too used to my Chevy motors.

My build date on the sticker is Jan 3, 2003 - I guess this gives me a decent chance for having the new improved heads. Does anybody have any information on when this changover actually occurred? Mine was build in Canada if that matters.

 

Mark
You are okay, relax. I spoke with the sales manager today at the dealership that has the fresh 150 on order. He talked to Ford about the head issue and was told ( I know this is he said - he said stuff, but that's all we get isn't it); the chamfer on the first thread was changed to avoid cross threading which happened at assembly in the factory or at the time of plug change after. Asked about the presence of more threads he did not have a clear answer but indicated that would also make sense. My sales manager was very interested in knowing if this truck he ordered for me would have the new head - he knew I would not accept the same old same old. He indicated the Oakville (Canada) plant only has about 2-3 days of heads in stock and rely on "just in time delivery" so within a few days of the casting changes ( 11-12-02) the new design should be in production and trucks built since have the new design. Sounds good. We'll see- been left at the alter before!