Right Side Head Gasket and oil leak
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
I saw your post in the 100,000 mile club and came over here to see what was going on with your head leak.
I recently found a PI intake for my project motor. Here is the forum:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=183390
I found one here very reasonable
https://www.f150online.com/forums/li...w.car-part.com
You can search for an intake in the 2001-2003 model years to find a PI intake.
You need the intake up to the TB Spacer. Your TB Spacer and everything else will work with the PI intake.
If you install PI heads, you do want to put the spark plug inserts in. There are not many of the newer heads available on e-bay with the higher thread count. My inserts were only $100 more with the head work, well worth it.
Also you want Windsor heads if you have a code 6 (Windsor) engine which is likely with your 98. The heads have a different bolt arrangement for the valve covers.
Some say the cams are the same in all PI heads but from what I have learned, there is a difference between the truck cams and the Mustang cams. The truck cams allow more torque in the lower rpm range and the Mustang more horse power in the higher rpm range at the cost of low torque.
One trick I learned when looking for PI Windsor heads is also search on e-bay for heads from the 5.4. They are almost always Windsor heads and are the same. If you want to put on PI heads without lowering the compression ratio then give Mike Troyer a call. He can burn a chip that will take advantage of the higher compression.
Good luck, have fun and let us know how it goes.
I recently found a PI intake for my project motor. Here is the forum:
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=183390
I found one here very reasonable
https://www.f150online.com/forums/li...w.car-part.com
You can search for an intake in the 2001-2003 model years to find a PI intake.
You need the intake up to the TB Spacer. Your TB Spacer and everything else will work with the PI intake.
If you install PI heads, you do want to put the spark plug inserts in. There are not many of the newer heads available on e-bay with the higher thread count. My inserts were only $100 more with the head work, well worth it.
Also you want Windsor heads if you have a code 6 (Windsor) engine which is likely with your 98. The heads have a different bolt arrangement for the valve covers.
Some say the cams are the same in all PI heads but from what I have learned, there is a difference between the truck cams and the Mustang cams. The truck cams allow more torque in the lower rpm range and the Mustang more horse power in the higher rpm range at the cost of low torque.
One trick I learned when looking for PI Windsor heads is also search on e-bay for heads from the 5.4. They are almost always Windsor heads and are the same. If you want to put on PI heads without lowering the compression ratio then give Mike Troyer a call. He can burn a chip that will take advantage of the higher compression.
Good luck, have fun and let us know how it goes.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
Ted'98,
I have been researching this for a while now because I am building a new forged short block. This is the information I gathered in past posts and also by talking with Mike Troyer at Troyer performance:
The cams in the PI Windsor Truck engines are all the same. It doesn't matter if they are from a 4.6, 5.4 or Lightning. The Mustang cams have a little higher lift and a different duration. They produce more HP and will pull to 5500-6000 RPM but you loose some low end torque which is not the best thing for a daily driven truck that is used as a truck It may be better for performance though.
I may be wrong but if I am then so are some people whose business it is to know.
I was the one you helped with the PI intake numbers. You give good advice and I appreciate your help.
I have been researching this for a while now because I am building a new forged short block. This is the information I gathered in past posts and also by talking with Mike Troyer at Troyer performance:
The cams in the PI Windsor Truck engines are all the same. It doesn't matter if they are from a 4.6, 5.4 or Lightning. The Mustang cams have a little higher lift and a different duration. They produce more HP and will pull to 5500-6000 RPM but you loose some low end torque which is not the best thing for a daily driven truck that is used as a truck It may be better for performance though.
I may be wrong but if I am then so are some people whose business it is to know.
I was the one you helped with the PI intake numbers. You give good advice and I appreciate your help.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA USA
WLF- sometimes the more information you get, the more confusing things can be.
I've heard about all PI cams being the same from a couple of well known Modular engine builders along with an online Ford Parts manager.
It is hard to know what to believe sometimes.
How close are you to having the new engine running?
I've heard about all PI cams being the same from a couple of well known Modular engine builders along with an online Ford Parts manager.
It is hard to know what to believe sometimes.
How close are you to having the new engine running?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
Ted'98,
I know what you mean about being confused, I stayed with Windsor Truck Heads just to be sure.
I'm almost ready to assemble. The problem is I can't seem to kill the engine I have. I've got 178,600+ miles on it and now it's supercharged; still runs great. I already have Manley Sportsman rods. I am waiting on a Cobra Crank and some Mahle pistons. Then it's off to be race balanced.
The heads are done and sitting in a box in my house. I had new stock valves installed with a multi angle valve job. Also had sparkplug inserts installed.
I have a new 4.6 Windsor shortblock I am going to disassemble and use to build the forged engine. It has never been started and is still on a Ford pallet.
I have the PI intake (as you know) and am considering performing the Cooling Modification.
I was going to go with a stroker short block but I can't seem to get a handle on the dependability. At this point it is cheaper for me to build a 4.6 so I will save the x-tra money and perhaps turn up the boost in the future. Did anyone say TURBO?
I know what you mean about being confused, I stayed with Windsor Truck Heads just to be sure.
I'm almost ready to assemble. The problem is I can't seem to kill the engine I have. I've got 178,600+ miles on it and now it's supercharged; still runs great. I already have Manley Sportsman rods. I am waiting on a Cobra Crank and some Mahle pistons. Then it's off to be race balanced.
The heads are done and sitting in a box in my house. I had new stock valves installed with a multi angle valve job. Also had sparkplug inserts installed.
I have a new 4.6 Windsor shortblock I am going to disassemble and use to build the forged engine. It has never been started and is still on a Ford pallet.
I have the PI intake (as you know) and am considering performing the Cooling Modification.
I was going to go with a stroker short block but I can't seem to get a handle on the dependability. At this point it is cheaper for me to build a 4.6 so I will save the x-tra money and perhaps turn up the boost in the future. Did anyone say TURBO?
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Waterford, MI, USA
to you guys! That was a great help. Now I have most of what I need for parts located. I will call Mike Troyer tomorrow and see what he has to say about my little project as I'd like to take advantage of the added compression. It should be interesting to see what the end result would be especially since I have one of the defective computers from 98 with the FOU1 code. My understanding is that the F-150's with my code produce more power stock than the same truck with other codes. WLF, How'd you figure I had a Windsor? It just so happens that I do, I just don't recall saying anything about it.
Another related question, my A/C still works great, in doing this project are the A/C coolant line opened thus killing my A/C or is there a way to do this without venting the refridgerant?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 1
speedy46,
Most of the 4.6 engines in the 97-2000 model years were Windsor engines. They are actually a little beefier then the Romeo engines and were specifically built for the trucks.
When you talk to Mike, he will probably advise you to get Mustang cams. He likes that they pull to higher RPM and the increased compression should make up for the torque loss. You should still start with Windsor heads but the Mustang cams are readily available on e-bay. There are also a number of aftermarket cam profiles available on e-bay that will work really well with a higher compression N/A engine. With the higher compression, boost is really not an option; however, if done right, you can realize the same increase in HP/performance as a safely boosted engine.
Again call Mike and good luck with the project...
Most of the 4.6 engines in the 97-2000 model years were Windsor engines. They are actually a little beefier then the Romeo engines and were specifically built for the trucks.
When you talk to Mike, he will probably advise you to get Mustang cams. He likes that they pull to higher RPM and the increased compression should make up for the torque loss. You should still start with Windsor heads but the Mustang cams are readily available on e-bay. There are also a number of aftermarket cam profiles available on e-bay that will work really well with a higher compression N/A engine. With the higher compression, boost is really not an option; however, if done right, you can realize the same increase in HP/performance as a safely boosted engine.
Again call Mike and good luck with the project...
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Waterford, MI, USA
So you think that I should go with the mustang cam then? I did call Mike Troyer but he is doing some R&D this week and will get back with me next week regarding the custom burn. So since you are also building up a 4.6 what do you think the resulting power increase will be?
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Waterford, MI, USA
Ted98,
In your writeup on doing the head swap you say that you made up a checklist. If you still have this could you email it to me ekrugman@sbcglobal.net I am working on getting the rest of the parts for my changes.
Thanks,
Speedy46
In your writeup on doing the head swap you say that you made up a checklist. If you still have this could you email it to me ekrugman@sbcglobal.net I am working on getting the rest of the parts for my changes.
Thanks,
Speedy46
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Waterford, MI, USA
OK I have been trying now for 2 weeks to get in touch with Mike Troyer about a custom chip and he still isn't returning the calls. Anybody have anyone else that they would recommend? Also I was told by some people in my search for parts that I may also need new valve covers? Is this true as I am putting the 2000 5.4L PI heads on my 98 4.6L? Another idea I had was to replace the timing chains while I have them off. Would you guys agree with this or should I leave them alone?
Last edited by speedy46; Apr 3, 2005 at 11:14 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Waterford, MI, USA
Got a call back from Mike Troyer
Well I finally got in touch with Mike Troyer. Had an interesting conversation about the changes that I am doing on my truck. At the moment I have the Heads in transit, scheduled for delivery on monday, and I should have the intake manifold a week later. Now the magic question for you guys, anyone had Mike do an entire turn key package for you? I am strongly considering it as I am working way too much right now to do a project of this size. Also I am looking for your opinions on catback exhaust systems. I want to have him do it all if I have him do it and want to put something on there that will sound deeper and more agressive while at the same time not annoying on the freeway as I do alot of freeway driving. Let me know what you guys think.
Speedy
Speedy
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: New England
Right side leak??
My supercrew has just turned 102,000 and has had every service job recommended by the dealer at the right mileage intervals. It has developed a right side head gasket leak that the dealer says will cost $1600. Seeing this post I'm thinking that there is more of an inherent problem with these engines as it seems more than coincidence. Does anyone know if there were defects in the engine or gaskets that causes this problem? If it was known problem that only shows up after 3yr/36000 how can I inform Ford that I feel they should be responsible for covering part of the replacement? Thanks.