I have mint 98 with a 4.6 with 87k.
I found a complete 99 5.4 with 98k. The engine looks to be well maintained (not filthy under the Hood, clean filters) but the Guy junked it when it started to miss(body badly rotted). One plug is blown out. The yard claimed to have run the engine for an extended period with no other issues.
$900 and they will properly fix plug.
I have been looking for months and this is the best I have been able to find within 100 miles.
Buy or walk?

 

Buy it, 99 is a good year for the 5.4L as it still has the aluminum intake manifold and has PI heads. Make sure they fix the blown plug with a TIMESERT. And torque the rest to 28 ft/lbs

 

That's a MUCH cheaper fix than $900. IF that's why it's misfiring. I'd check compression before purchasing. Just to get a consistency read.

Have you searched using car-part.com. They search for an engine for you, - from your area outward and that's a free service.

 

Here's a good thread..... https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...wap-notes.html

 

Brew - $900 is the engine with the repair.
Yes I have searched car -part and craigslist extensively.

 

If they use a helicoil to repair it plan on it blowing again.. That's the way lots of mechanics do it and that is the WRONG fix.

 

They claim to have a special kit with a bit that gets hooked to a vac to remove chips as they drill. Then some sort of insert is used.

 

Haven't seen one of those. Sounds like a surgical instrument for sure.

I'd question the insert and install method used tho. Specially not ever hearing of such a tool available for this type of repair.

 

Good to know. I need to get more details.

 

As mentioned the 99 is a good year. Also a compression test is a good idea. I have heard of using a vacuum to suck out the chips as you cut. Never saw the tool though. I used a lot of grease instead.

 

Surprised how well that works. Just did a small engines head (Briggs), well I chased it anyway,- with the Ford chaser (14mm) using hs wheel bearing grease applied to the flutes. Not sure it was going to work being that it took out quite a bit of material. Fairly fine chips, some a little larger. Scoped the cylinder and didn't find shaving in it. Sucked it out anyway (kept the piston topped during it all, used a SV 1 1/4 adapter), Installed the plug, torqued, checked for leaks, pass.

Could of easily removed the head, - no need. Not yet anyway.

I bet your impressed...

 

I'm happy to see JMC and Jbrew still active on the forum. If I can get this moving I will need your wisdom!

 

I'd ask for price without the repair, then repair it yourself while its still out of the truck, that way you know its done correctly

 

Here's another option - a 2012 5.0L with only 8,700 miles http://stlouis.craigslist.org/pts/3582653557.html

Quite a bit farther away and twice as much $ as your 5.4L, but is practically brand new and comes with the 6spd tranny, wiring and PCM

This is not mine BTW, just saw it on CL today.

 

Mletchworth - thanks, but I don't think anyone has attempted that swap before. I definitely don't have the time or patients to make that work!