I have a 98 ford f-150 xlt 4x4 that has been the best truck I have ever owned! I have a 142,000 on her. A few months ago I replaced the timing chains because they had built up some slack in them and tore the tensioners all to pieces. Before all of this was done I noticed every once in awhile my engine would loose oil pressure. I knew the pump and everything was fine. Well when I took the front cover off to replace the chains I noticed a HUGE sludge problem. I then took the valve covers off and everything was just covered in this gunk. Ran Kerosene through it several times but it is so bad that is was not even worth cleaning the motor out. I bought the truck used 3 years ago and put 68 thousand miles on it without one hint of anything being wrong... I took great care of this truck and did all the oil changes myself and never noticed anything wrong. Well now that this has happened I am thinking about a total replacement truck or putting a new motor in it and rebuilding the tranny while i am at it. Any recommendations on motors? Swap up to a 5.4, crate motor? Would love to have a cummins but is this possible with a 12 thousand dollar budget?

 

Must be using some kinda wrong oil or filter. That engine should have lasted longer. Your only real choice is another modular engine..
Most of us here use Motorcraft oil and Motorcraft filters 5w-30 is what that truck required..

 

The original owner probably never changed the oil.

 

12k budget will get just about anything in there if you do the work, or could easily swap a 5.4 in there paying someone to do it for less, or just buy a new truck with the 12k and rebuild this one

 

as crazy as that sounds its possible. im sure i know tons of people that dont change their oil. i know for sure one doesnt. its weird.

if im ever in your position ill put a low mile 5.4 in

 

Seriously, $12K will get you almost any modular engine that will practically and reasonably fit in the truck, it'll be done right, and you'll have change left over.

If it's something you aren't gonna get too extreme with in mods, and you're gonna hang on to this truck for a while and rely on it to get you around, I'd do a Jasper or Motorcraft reman long block.

 

Seen the bill on a Brand new engine go in an 06 from Ford a few months ago = $7000

 

I always used motorcraft filters and motorcraft 5-30. Could get it cheap at wal mart! I agree with the person before me never changing the oil... Such a shame to do that to a good truck! I will keep the thread updated on the decisions! Thanks for the help!

 

You could get a blown 5.4 in for 12K. The tranny and rear end might not last too long.

 

Brand new "Remanufactured" I'll bet Brew. Yea, I know we've gone over this before. I doubt that half of the people who get "a brand new engine" put in their Ford ever have any idea it's a rebuilt, because it DOES look new.

 

Looks like ARFCOM is taking over this forum too.