i have a 2000 f150 5.4 that has a rod bearing going out on it....it is so loud that i have been looking at my local junk yards for a engine....my question here, is there a difference between the years with the 5.4???.....i found a 2002 5.4 with 60,000 miles for $800...is the 2001,02,03 the same engine as the 2000??? or will one be better than another??/ thanks for the help

matt

 

You'll want a 99 and up, they have the PI heads. Oh and 03 and up had the better threads in the spark plug holes.

 

In 99 the 5.4 got the Pi heads. It increased the HP from 235 to 260. The upper intake manifold was metal. The Crank was forged. Some time in 00 Ford went to cast cranks and plastic upper intake manifold with a metal coolant crossover. In 03 Ford changed the heads to incorporate more threads in the plug hole to keep the plugs from launching. I believe that some time in 00 or 01 they went to 6 rib serpentine belts. Count the ribs on your alternator and the crank of the replacement engine.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

So the 03's dont have the plug blowout problem?

Ive got 86k on my 02, and its stressing the crap out of me. Sorry about the semi-hijack, I didnt realize they made a change before the newer body style came out.

 

i wouldnt worry about it skyline. ive got 54k on my 01 and no problems. theres a good chance you still have the factory plugs in there. if they were gonna blow they probably would have by now. its all abut proprer torque when you go to change them.

 

Not all 03s had the heads with more threads!
Mine did not!

Phil